I've Lost My Companies House WebFiling Authentication Code

Your WebFiling authentication code is a 6-character code that lets you file changes to your company online, whether that's appointing a director, changing your registered office, or updating your shares. Where to find it depends on how you formed your company, and the process has changed since Companies House moved to GOV.UK One Login.

Key Takeaways

• Your authentication code is a 6-character code, separate from any personal identity verification code you may also need.
• If you formed your company with us, or another formation agent, your code is stored in your online account.
• If you formed directly with Companies House, your code was posted to your registered office and can't be recovered by phone or email.
• Since 13 October 2025, WebFiling requires signing in through GOV.UK One Login, alongside your company's authentication code.
• Since 18 November 2025, directors and PSCs also need a personal identity verification code for certain filings, on top of the company authentication code.

What Is a WebFiling Authentication Code?

Your authentication code is a unique 6-character code that acts as your company's online signature. It's what lets you or your accountant file changes to your company through Companies House WebFiling, rather than by post.

With it, you can file things like appointing a new director, resigning one, changing your registered office, issuing new shares, or updating your accounting reference date. It's tied to your specific company, not to you personally, which is an important distinction now that personal identity verification codes exist alongside it.

Is This the Same as My Personal Identity Verification Code?

No, they're two separate things. Since 18 November 2025, directors and PSCs also need a personal identity verification code, on top of the company's own authentication code, for certain statutory filings.

Your company authentication code proves you have authority to file for that specific company. Your personal identity verification code proves who you are as an individual. You'll likely need both together for some filings now, so it's worth having each one to hand rather than assuming one covers the other.

Where Do I Find My Code if I Formed My Company With Us?

If you formed your company with us, your code is stored in your online account and ready to view whenever you need it. You don't need to wait for post or request anything separately.

To find it:

1. Log in to your Company Formation MadeSimple account
2. Select "My Companies"
3. Click on your company's name
4. Find the WebFiling Authentication Code in the "Company Details" section

If you formed with a different formation agent, the process is usually similar, worth checking their account dashboard the same way.

Where Do I Find My Code if I Formed Directly With Companies House?

If you registered directly with Companies House, your code was posted to your registered office a few weeks after incorporation. It's never displayed anywhere online, so if you've lost it, you'll need to request a replacement.

Since 13 October 2025, requesting or using this code requires signing in through GOV.UK One Login rather than the old standalone WebFiling login. To request a replacement:

1. Sign in to GOV.UK One Login, or register if you haven't already
2. Go to Companies House WebFiling and select "Request an authentication code"
3. Select where your company was formed and enter your company number, then click "Continue"
4. Select "Request code"
5. You'll receive your new code by post

Companies House won't send this code by email or read it out over the phone, for security reasons. It only ever arrives by post to your registered office.

What's Changing With Accounts Filing?

Companies House has confirmed that from 1 April 2028, annual accounts will need to be filed using commercial software, not through WebFiling or paper forms. This is a future change, not something that's happened yet, so don't panic about your next filing.

Your authentication code still applies to your other WebFiling filings, director changes, registered office updates, share allotments, and confirmation statements, none of which are affected by this. Companies House has confirmed WebFiling itself isn't going away, it's only accounts filing specifically that's moving to software-only, and not until 2028. It's worth planning your move to compatible accounting software ahead of that date rather than waiting until the last minute.

What Should You Do Once You Have Your Code?

Once you have your authentication code, it's worth adding your company to a formation agent's system if you haven't already, so you've got a secure, easy place to access it going forward. With us, this is free to do.

To add your company:

1. Create an account on Companies MadeSimple, or log in if you already have one
2. From your Dashboard, select "Import a company"
3. Enter your company number and WebFiling Authentication Code, then select "Import Company"

Your company will then be added to your account, alongside your other compliance details. Our guide to PSCs and the Confirmation Statement is worth reading too, since your confirmation statement is one of the filings that now depends on identity verification as well as your company authentication code.

FAQs

What is a Companies House authentication code?

It's a 6-character code that acts as your company's online signature, letting you file changes like director appointments or registered office updates through WebFiling.

Is my authentication code the same as my personal identity verification code?

No. Your authentication code proves your authority to file for a specific company. Your personal identity verification code, required since November 2025, proves who you are as an individual.

Can Companies House give me my authentication code over the phone?

No. For security reasons, it's only ever sent by post to your company's registered office, never by email or phone.

Do I still need my authentication code if I file accounts through software now?

Yes, for all your filings. Accounts filing is only moving to software-only from 1 April 2028. Until then, and for everything else afterward too, your authentication code still applies to director changes, registered office updates, and similar filings through WebFiling.

How do I request a replacement authentication code?

Sign in to GOV.UK One Login, go to WebFiling, and select "Request an authentication code." A new one will be posted to your registered office.

Do I need a GOV.UK One Login account to use WebFiling now?

Yes. Since 13 October 2025, WebFiling requires signing in through GOV.UK One Login, in addition to your company's authentication code.

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