How Do I Change My Registered Office Without a WebFiling Authentication Code?

Use the paper AD01 form. If you've lost access to your registered office, you can't wait for a new authentication code, since Companies House posts replacement codes to your registered office, which is exactly the address you're trying to change.

Key Takeaways

• A new WebFiling authentication code is always posted to your current registered office, which creates a problem if you no longer have access to that address.
• The paper AD01 form lets you update your registered office by post, without needing an authentication code at all.
• Once your registered office has changed, you can then request a new authentication code as normal, sent to your updated address.
• Your authentication code can expire if you file a paper document with Companies House, which is worth knowing if WebFiling suddenly stops accepting it.
• If we hold your company's authentication code already, check your account first, since you may not need this workaround at all.

Why Can't I Just Request a New Code?

Because Companies House only ever sends a new authentication code by post, to your current registered office address. If you've moved and no longer have access to that address, you'll never receive it, which means you can't use WebFiling to update your address either.

It's a genuine catch-22: you need the code to change your address online, but the code only goes to the address you're trying to leave behind.

How Do I Update My Registered Office Without the Code?

File the paper AD01 form directly with Companies House. This lets you change your registered office by post, without needing a WebFiling authentication code at all.

1. Download the AD01 change of registered office address form from GOV.UK.
2. Print it, complete it with your company details and new registered office address, and sign it.
3. Post it to Companies House at the address given in the form's instructions.

Once Companies House processes the change, your registered office will be updated, and you can then request a new authentication code as normal, this time sent to your correct, current address.

Do I Already Have a Code Saved Somewhere?

If we formed your company, check your account before assuming you need this workaround at all. Log in, select "My Companies," and check the "Company Details" section, since your authentication code may already be stored there.

If it's not there, or it's expired, our main guide to your WebFiling authentication code covers requesting a replacement through GOV.UK One Login, along with what's changed with WebFiling more broadly.

What if My Address Is Still Correct, and I've Just Lost the Code?

Then you don't need the AD01 workaround at all. Request a replacement code the normal way, since it'll still reach you at your current, valid registered office. Our guide to your WebFiling authentication code walks through that process step by step.

The paper AD01 route is specifically for the situation where you've lost access to the address the code would be sent to, not a general substitute for the online process.

FAQs

Why does Companies House send my authentication code to my old registered office?

Because that's the address on record. A replacement code is always posted to your current registered office, which is a problem if you no longer have access to it.

How do I change my registered office if I've lost access to the address on file?

File the paper AD01 form directly with Companies House. It updates your registered office by post, without needing an authentication code.

Where do I get the AD01 form?

Directly from GOV.UK, where it's available to download, print, and post to Companies House.

Can I request a new authentication code once my address is updated?

Yes. Once Companies House has processed your AD01 form, you can request a new code as normal, sent to your correct address.

Do I need to do this if I still have access to my current registered office?

No. If your registered office is still valid, just request a replacement authentication code the normal way rather than using the AD01 workaround.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Companies House processes can change, so it's worth checking current guidance on GOV.UK or Companies House before relying on the details above.