Guidance
Registrar's rules
Rules outlining the form, manner of delivery and method of authentication for documents delivered to Companies House in electronic or paper format.
About the registrar’s rules
The Registrar of Companies is given authority to make rules governing the filing of documents at Companies House. These rules are made under section 1117 of the Companies Act 2006 and must be complied with whenever a document is delivered to Companies House.
Latest versions of each volume of the rules:
- Requirements Applicable to Documents Delivered to the Registrar in Electronic Form 2022
- The Registrar’s Coronavirus Easements (Upload Service) Rules 2020
- The Registrar’s (Requirements For Paper Documents) Rules 2009 - Volume 2
- The Registrar’s (Requirements For CD or DVD - Rom) Rules 2009 - Volume 3
- The Registrar’s (Requirements For Informal Correction) Rules 2009 - Volume 4
- The Registrar’s (Authentication By The Registrar Of Electronic Certificate) Rules 2009 - Volume 5
- The Registrar’s (Nomination Of An Address To Be The Registered Office Address) Rules 2016 - Volume 6
Amendments to the registrar’s rules
The Registrar’sregistrar’s Rulesrules came into force on 1 October 2009 and have been amended several times since this date.
The following tables outline each of the amendments, along with details of what they contained and when they came into force.
20222023 amendments
| Amendment number | Volume amended | Made | Came into force | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment |
Volume |
1 November 2023 | Change of Companies House Edinburgh address |
2022 amendments
| Amendment number | Volume amended | Made | Came into force | Changes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 3 | Volume 1 | Addition of the insolvency filing service and the documents delivered to the Registrar using the insolvency filing service (API) | |||
| Amendment 2 | Volume 2 | Various paper forms amendments | |||
| Amendment 1 | Volume 1 | New service to report PSC discrepancies by obliged entities under money laundering regulations | |||
| Amendment (2022) | Volume 1 | Full redraft of the electronic rules |
2021
No - no amendmentsamendments.
2020 amendments
| Amendment number | Volume amended | Made | Came into force | Changes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 2 (2020) | Volume 2 | New form of moratorium and new form of scheme of arrangement or reconstruction | |||||||
| Amendment 1 (2020) | Volume 18 | The Registrar’s coronavirus easements (upload service) rules 2020 | |||||||
| Amendment (2020) | Volume 2 | Brexit amendments to various forms |
2019 amendments
| Amendment number | Volume amended | Made | Came into force | Changes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 2 | Volume 2 | Companies House London office address change | |||||||
| Amendment 1 | Volume 2 | Inclusion of Scottish insolvency forms ahead of the Insolvency (Scotland) (company voluntary arrangement and administration) rules 2018 and the Insolvency (Scotland) (receivership and winding up) rules 2018, which came into force on 6 April 2019 | |||||||
| Amendment (2019) | Volume 2 | Amendment following the website availability of form SR01 Application under section 1088 by an individual to make an address unavailable for public inspection |
2018 amendments
| Amendment number | Volume amended | Made | Came into force | Changes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Volume 1 | Electronic rules amendment to include Community Interest Companies to be capable of being incorporated via the software filing service | |||||||
| Amendment (2018) | Volume 2 | Amendment following The Companies (Disclosure of Address) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 |
2017 amendments
| Amendment number | Volume amended | Made | Came into force | Changes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 7 | Volume 2 | Inclusion of form 600 - notice of appointment of liquidator in voluntary winding up | |||||||
| Amendment 6 | Volume 1 | Inclusion of the register entry date for PSC forms (PSC01-07) | |||||||
| Amendment 5 | Volume 2 | Inclusion of the register entry date for PSC forms (PSC01-07) | |||||||
| Amendment 4 (2017) | Volume 1 | Electronic rules amendment following the implementation of EU 4th Money Laundering Directive (4MLD); insertion or substitution of multiple forms related to the implementation | |||||||
| Amendment 3 (2017) | Volume 2 | Insertion of new insolvency forms IE01 - IE05 | |||||||
| Amendment 2 (2017) | Volume 2 | Paper rules amendment following the implementation of EU 4th Money Laundering Directive (4MLD); insertion or substitution of multiple forms related to the implementation | |||||||
| Amendment 2017 | Volume 2 | Paper rules amendment following the implementation of the Insolvency Rules 2016; insertion of multiple new insolvency forms |
2016 amendments
| Amendment number | Volume amended | Made | Came into force | Changes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 4 (2016) | Volume 2 | Paper rules amendment for the June 2016 SBEE implementation (confirmation statement, registers, capital & PSC) | |||||||
| Amendment 3 (2016) | Volume 1 | Electronic rules amendment for the June 2016 SBEE implementation (confirmation statement, registers, capital & PSC) | |||||||
| New volume 6 | Volume 6 | Addition of new volume to specify the default address for each jurisdiction for the purpose of a registered office dispute | |||||||
| Amendment 2 (2016) | Volume 2 | Paper rules amendment for the April 2016 SBEE implementation: RP06 (directors disputes), RP07 & LLP equivalent (RO disputes), multiple new and amended SR forms (PSC protection regime), amended AD03, AD04 & LLP equivalents (registers changes) | |||||||
| Amendment (2016) | Volume 2 | Paper rules amendment for the February 2016 SBEE implementation (capital changes): New form NAC01, new variant of form SH19 |
2015 amendments
| Amendment number | Volume amended | Made | Came into force | Changes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment by pro-forma | Volume 1 Volume 2 | Renumbering of previous amendments to correct a typographical error | |||||||
| Amendment 5 (2015) | Volume 2 | Implementation of the schema for extractive companies to file reports on payments to governments | |||||||
| Amendment 4 (2015) | Volume 2 | Amendment to form AR01 and equivalents | |||||||
| WebFiling data change | Volume 1 | Amendment to the WebFiling templates for audit exempt abbreviated accounts to include changes to CATO | |||||||
| Amendment 3 (2015) | Volume 2 | Paper rules amendment for October 2015 SBEE implementation (date of birth and consent to act) | |||||||
| Amendment 2 (2015) | Volume 1 | Electronic rules amendment for October 2015 SBEE implementation (date of birth and consent to act) | |||||||
| Amendment (2015) | Volume 2 | Amendment to form DS01 and equivalents |
2014 amendments
| Amendment number | Volume amended | Made | Came into force | Changes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 4 (2014) | Volume 2 | Inclusion of SE and EEIG forms in the rules | |||||||
| Amendment 3 (2014) | Volume 1 | Addition of Part 5 – Companies House single web service (CHS) | |||||||
| WebFiling data change | Volume 1 | Amendment to the wording on several mortgage |
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| Amendment 2 (2014) | Volume 2 | Removal of the S.243 checkbox on forms CH01, LL CH01, OS CH03 & SE CH01 amendment to the wording on several mortgage forms to remove the reference to fixed charges amendment to form 4.72 | |||||||
| WebFiling data change | Volume 1 | Removal of the S.243 checkbox on the WebFiling templates for CH01 and LL CH01 | |||||||
| Amendment (2014) | Volume 2 | Introduced the facility to correct an erroneous date of birth, which was stated on incorporation, for company directors and LLP members |
2013 amendments
| Amendment number | Volume amended | Made | Came into force | Changes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 5 (2013) | Volume 4 | Addition of a new WebFiling & software filing template for micro-entity accounts addition of new WebFiling templates for DS02 & LL DS02 | |||||||
| Amendment 4 (2013) | Volume 4 | Change to informal correction due to the charges project | |||||||
| Amendment 3 (2013) | Volume 2 | New paper forms for charges | |||||||
| Amendment 2 (2013) | Volume 1 | New WebFiling forms for charges | |||||||
| Amendment (2013) | Volume 1 | New WebFiling template for audit exempt abbreviated accounts |
2012 amendments
| Amendment Number | Volume amended | Made | Came into Force | Changes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registrar’s (Electronic Form) Rules 2012 | Volume 1 | Updated version of volume 1 | |||||||
| Amendment 4 (2012) | Volume 2 | Amended form AA06 |
|||||||
| Amendment 3 (2012) | Volume 1 | Audit exemption for subsidiary undertakings Exemption from filing and preparation of accounts for dormant subsidiaries | |||||||
| Amendment 2 (2012) | Volume 2 | London office address change | |||||||
| Amendment (2012) | Volume 2 | Forms amendments |
2011 amendments
| Amendment number | Volume amended | Made | Came into force | Changes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 11 (2011) | Volume 1 | Annual return (SIC code) software amendments | |||||||
| Amendment 10 (2011) | Volume 1 | Annual return (SIC code) WebFiling amendments | |||||||
| Amendment 9 (2011) | Volume 2 | Annual return (SIC code) paper amendments | |||||||
| Amendment 8 (2011) | Volume 2 | Cross border mergers | |||||||
| Amendment 7 (2011) | Volume 1 | ||||||||
| Amendment 6 (2011) | Volume 2 | Investment Bank Special Administration Regulations 2011 | |||||||
| Amendment 5 (2011) | Volume 1 | Added Paypal as a payment method | |||||||
| Amendment 4 (2011) | Volume 1 | New Part 2A – WebIncs New Schedule 4B – WebIncs Screens | |||||||
| Amendment 3 (2011) | Volume 2 | Continuation sheet change forms amendments | |||||||
| Amendment 2 (2011) | Volume 1 | Added CH01 |
|||||||
| Amendment 1 (2011) | Volume 1 | WebFiling dormant company accounts new schedule 3B - table of accounts templates specifying the eligibility criteria to be satisfied prior to the use of each template in accordance with rule 8 |
2010 amendments
| Amendment Number | Volume amended | Made | Came into Force | Changes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 5 (2010) | Volume 1 | Part 4 - HMRC joint filing template HMRC joint filing template screens WebFiling change of name screens WebFiling Change of Name Resolution | |||||||
| Amendment 4 (2010) | Volume 1 | Software filing LLPs WebFiling LLPs software filing change of name software filing CoN resolution new rule 17A – Resolutions new schedule 1A - Transitional arrangements table specifying the date on or after which a document may be delivered to the registrar in electronic form New schedule 3A - Table specifying the templates to be used for documents that are required to be authenticated by means of personal authentication by a natural person in accordance with rule 11 New Schedule 6A – Resolutions new schedule 7, Part 3: eligible financial information | |||||||
| Amendment 3 (2010) | Volume 2 | Continuation sheet change forms amendments | |||||||
| Amendment 2 (2010) | Volume 2 | Belfast office address change | |||||||
| Amendment (2010) | Volume 2 | Addition of insolvency forms delivered under the Insolvency Act 1986 or S14 of the LLP Act 2000 |
Published 23 December 2014
Last updated201 SeptemberNovember 20222023
+ show all updates
Last updated
-
Amendment to Volume 2 - change of Edinburgh office address.
-
Added details of amendments to Registrar's Rules from 2017 to 2022.
-
New registrar's rules published - Requirements Applicable to Documents Delivered to the Registrar in Electronic Form 2022. These replace The Registrar’s (Electronic) Rules 2012 - Volume 1.
-
Added link to The Registrar's Coronavirus Easements (Upload Service) Rules 2020.
-
Updated with 2016 amendments
-
Updated with 2015 amendments
Update history
2025-04-02 14:07
Table of amendments updated to include 2025 amendments.
2025-02-05 14:34
Links added to: The Registrar’s (Identity Verification by the Registrar) Rules 2025, The Registrar’s (Identity Verification by Authorised Corporate Service Providers) Rules 2025, The Registrar’s (Requirements Applicable to Applications to Become an Authorised Corporate Service Provider) Rules 2025.
2024-07-11 11:57
The Registrar’s (Requirements For Informal Correction) Rules 2009 – Volume 4 has been repealed.
2024-05-22 10:48
Link added to Registrar’s Rules under Regulation 6 of the IDV and ACSP SI 2024 (draft).
2024-05-01 00:00
Rules amended – requirement for a signature replaced by authentication by printed name.
2024-03-04 00:00
New documents published to replace previous rules – updates for new measures under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
2023-11-01 16:05
Amendment to Volume 2 – change of Edinburgh office address.
2022-09-20 14:09
Added details of amendments to Registrar’s Rules from 2017 to 2022.