If you cannot access your company’s registered office address, we can send your authentication code to your home address instead.
The authentication code is a 6 digit alphanumeric code issued by us to each company. The code is used to authorise information filed online and is the equivalent of a company officer’s signature.
You’ll need an authentication code to file your information online or using third party software.
Do not wait until your accounts are due to request your authentication code. Delivery could take longer than usual during busy periods.
How to get your company authentication code
To request a code, you’ll need to create an account or sign in to Companies House WebFiling and follow the steps.
We’ll send your code by post to your company’s registered office - it can take up to 5 days to arrive. If your company already has a code, we’ll send you a reminder.
We cannot send your authentication code by email or tell you the code over the phone.
Using your code
You’ll use the same authentication code for your company to file online using:
To use third-party software, you’ll need to set up an online filing account to get a presenter ID and presenter authentication code.
You cannot use your Government Gateway account to send Companies House information online.
Changing or cancelling your code
Sign in to Companies House WebFiling to change or cancel your code. You can change your code to something more memorable, but do not make it easy to guess.
You must tell anyone else who files online for your company (such as an accountant) if you change your code. They will not be able to use the old authentication code once it has been changed.
Looking after your code
You should treat your company’s authentication code with the same care as your bank card PIN. Anyone who knows your code is able to change your company’s details online.
To look after your authentication code:
- mix letters and numbers so your code is not easy to guess
- only share your code with someone you trust to file information for your company
- change your code if it’s known by someone you do not trust
- change your code if it’s known by someone who’s no longer authorised to file for your company (such as staff who’ve left your company, or your previous accountant)
We’ll never ask you what your authentication code is over the phone.
If you’re contacted by someone who asks for your code and claims to be from Companies House, you should report fraud to Companies House immediately.
Published 18 May 2015
Last updated 23 September 2022 +show all updates
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New WebFiling account introduced on Monday 12 September - guidance on how to request and manage company authentication codes updated.
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Users can request to have the authentication code sent to a home address instead of the company's registered office. This is a temporary service in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
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Links added to guidance.
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Guidance added for the Christmas holiday period.
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Screenshot added.
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Welsh translation added.
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First published.
