Companies House has announced a further adjustment to its fee structure, effective 1st February 2026. This follows the previous fee increase implemented in May 2024, which accompanied the introduction of measures under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. The upcoming changes will affect UK company formations and various filing services.
Reason for the Fee Increase
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act has ushered in some of the most significant reforms to UK company law in recent years. These changes have equipped Companies House with enhanced capabilities, including a comprehensive identity verification service and expanded powers to investigate information held on the public register, which contains over 5 million companies as of April 2025.
As a government department, Companies House operates on a cost-recovery basis and must cover its administrative and operational expenses. The development of new software systems and the implementation of additional verification checks to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the public register have necessitated this fee adjustment to reflect the true cost of service provision.
Fee Structure Changes
The table below outlines the fee adjustments for some of the most commonly used Companies House services. A comprehensive list of all amended fees is available on the official government website at: https://changestoukcompanylaw.campaign.gov.uk/changes-to-companies-house-fees/
| Service | Format | Current Fee | New Fee (From 1st Feb 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Incorporation | Digital | £50 | £100 |
| Paper | £71 | £124 | |
| Company Incorporation (Same Day) | Digital | £78 | £156 |
| Confirmation Statement (CS01) | Digital | £34 | £50 |
| Paper | £62 | £110 | |
| Change of Company Name (Same Day) | Digital | £83 | £85 |
Summary
The February 2026 fee increases from Companies House represent a substantial adjustment, with digital company incorporations doubling from £50 to £100 and confirmation statements rising from £34 to £50. These changes reflect the organisation’s investment in enhanced verification systems and investigative capabilities mandated by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. Businesses should note that registering directly with Companies House online remains the most cost-effective option, as using third-party company formation agents typically adds additional service fees on top of the government charges. By submitting applications directly through the Companies House digital portal, companies can avoid unnecessary intermediary costs whilst benefiting from faster processing times. Digital submissions also remain considerably more economical than paper-based alternatives. The fee restructure underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the UK’s corporate register whilst ensuring Companies House can sustainably deliver its expanded regulatory functions.
