Companies House sign-in changes: what businesses need to know
Companies House is changing the way businesses sign in to its online services. From late August 2026, the sign-in process began moving towards GOV.UK One Login.
The change is important for company directors, business owners, accountants and anyone responsible for filing information with Companies House.
What is changing at Companies House?
Companies House has updated its sign-in screen to make GOV.UK One Login the main sign-in option.
New users will need to create and use a GOV.UK One Login account. Existing users can continue using their current Companies House sign-in details for now.
Important: Existing Companies House users will eventually move to GOV.UK One Login. Companies House has confirmed that users will receive advance notice before they are required to make the switch.
What is GOV.UK One Login?
GOV.UK One Login is a government sign-in system designed to provide access to multiple government services using one account.
It uses an email address, password and multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA may involve an authenticator app or SMS verification.
One important difference for businesses is that a GOV.UK One Login belongs to one individual person. It is not designed to be a shared account for an entire team.
Why shared Companies House accounts could become a problem
Some businesses and accounting practices have historically shared Companies House login details between members of their team.
This approach may cause problems when businesses move to GOV.UK One Login. Shared credentials can trigger security controls and may result in users being locked out.
Businesses should therefore start moving away from shared logins and make sure each person who needs access has their own appropriate account.
What should businesses do now?
- Check which email address is currently being used for Companies House.
- Stop relying on shared login details wherever possible.
- Create individual GOV.UK One Login accounts for relevant team members.
- Set up multi-factor authentication.
- Make sure personal Companies House codes and access details are stored securely.
- Review who is responsible for company filings and Companies House access.
- Update access when employees leave the business or change roles.
GOV.UK One Login is separate from identity verification
Businesses should also be aware that GOV.UK One Login and Companies House identity verification are separate processes.
A person may need to use GOV.UK One Login to access a service while also completing identity verification requirements with Companies House.
You can read the official Companies House guidance on verifying your identity for Companies House .
Do not wait until a filing deadline
Businesses should review their Companies House access before they have an important filing deadline approaching.
Checking access now can help prevent unnecessary delays if someone cannot sign in when a confirmation statement, accounts or other filing needs to be submitted.
How TJB Accountants can help
Need help with your Companies House responsibilities?
TJB Accountants can help businesses understand their accounting, tax and Companies House responsibilities and make sure important filing requirements are properly managed.
Contact our teamOfficial source
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute professional advice. Information is correct as at 31 August 2026.
