If you run a limited company, you will soon notice some changes to the cost of keeping your records up to date.
From 1 February 2026, Companies House is increasing several of its filing fees, including the confirmation statement fee, which will rise from £34 to £50.
That may come as a surprise to business owners who are used to small, predictable costs, but the increase is part of wider changes to how Companies House operates.
What’s changing with Companies House fees?
From 1 February 2026, the main digital filing fees will be:
- Incorporation: £100 (up from £50)
- Confirmation statement: £50 (up from £34)
- Voluntary strike-off: £13 (down from £33)
The new fees will apply to both limited companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) that file digitally.
A full list of changes is available on the Companies House website.
Why are Companies House fees increasing?
Companies House reviews its fees every year to make sure they reflect the cost of running its services. For many years, the filing fees in the UK have been among the lowest in the world. The new rates are designed to fund several major changes:
- Stronger powers under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, allowing Companies House to query and remove false or misleading information from the register
- Improved enforcement, including funding for The Insolvency Service to investigate company wrongdoing, disqualify directors and prosecute fraud
- Modernisation of digital systems, making filings faster and more secure
- New identity verification rules, due to start in November 2025, confirming that company directors and officers are who they claim to be
In short, the extra income is intended to build a more transparent business environment and reduce abuse of the system by fraudulent or inactive companies.
What these Companies House changes mean for business owners
While a £16 increase in the annual confirmation statement fee may not break the bank, it is a noticeable jump for small and micro companies. It’s worth reviewing your Companies House filing calendar now so that you can budget for the change ahead of time.
This is also a good reminder to make sure your company information is accurate and up to date. As Companies House increases its scrutiny, incorrect or misleading details are more likely to be flagged or challenged.
The one small piece of good news is that the voluntary strike-off fee is being reduced from £33 to £13, which will slightly lower costs for companies choosing to close formally.
Looking ahead
The changes form part of a wider shift at Companies House to strengthen trust in the UK’s corporate register. With enhanced data checks, tougher action on false filings and support for The Insolvency Service’s investigations, the aim is to make the UK a safer place to do business.
For legitimate companies, that should mean greater confidence in the marketplace and fewer risks from bad actors.
Key takeaways
- From 1 February 2026, the confirmation statement fee rises from £34 to £50
- Incorporation will cost £100 and voluntary strike-off £13
- The higher fees fund stronger investigations, modern systems and new identity checks
- Businesses should budget for the changes and ensure their filings are accurate
If you would like help keeping your company filings compliant or understanding how these changes fit within your wider reporting, get in touch with the team at SeavorChartered here.
