How to Change Director in Companies House? Complete UK Guide 2026

Knowing how to change a director at Companies House is essential for every UK limited company, whether you’re appointing a new director, removing one, or simply updating an existing director’s details. Companies House holds the legal, public record of who runs your company, and getting a director change wrong u2014 or filing it late u2014 can lead to compliance issues, rejected filings, and even personal liability confusion. This complete step-by-step guide from Filing Accounts UK walks you through exactly how to change director details at Companies House in 2026, including the correct forms, deadlines, costs, and the new director identity verification rules.

At Filing Accounts, we help UK limited company directors manage their statutory obligations correctly the first time. If you need support changing a director at Companies House, our team is ready to help.

What Does “Changing a Director” Actually Mean?

“Changing a director” at Companies House can mean three different things, and each one uses a different form:

Appointing a new director u2014 adding someone to the board using Form AP01.
Removing (terminating) a director u2014 taking someone off the board using Form TM01.
Changing a director’s personal details u2014 updating a name, service address, or residential address using Form CH01.

If you’re replacing one director with another, that’s technically two filings u2014 an AP01 for the new director and a TM01 for the outgoing one. This guide from Filing Accounts UK covers all three scenarios in full detail.

Before You Start: Check with Companies House First

Before filing any change, always check your company’s current record on the Companies House public register (via the “Find and update company information” service on GOV.UK). This lets you confirm exactly who is currently listed as a director, what details they hold on file, and whether any previous filings are outstanding. Filing a change against inaccurate existing data is one of the most common reasons director filings get rejected.

It’s also worth checking your company’s Articles of Association before you begin, as these set out how directors can be appointed or removed and whether shareholder approval is required.

Legal Requirements You Must Meet

Under the Companies Act 2006, there are several rules that apply to every director change:

Section 155 u2014 every private limited company must have at least one director who is a natural person (not a corporate body).
Section 157 u2014 a director must be at least 16 years old.
Section 167 u2014 you must notify Companies House of any director change within 14 days.
Section 168 u2014 shareholders can remove a director by ordinary resolution (a simple majority vote), regardless of anything in the director’s service contract.
Section 162 u2014 the company must maintain an internal Register of Directors and a Register of Directors’ Residential Addresses.

A person cannot be appointed as a director if they are an undischarged bankrupt or a disqualified director, unless the court has given specific permission.

New in 2026: Director Identity Verification

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, Companies House introduced mandatory identity verification for all company directors. Since November 2025, this has applied to newly appointed directors, and existing directors have a 12-month transition window to complete verification. This means an AP01 appointment may not be registered until the new director has verified their identity.

There are two ways to verify identity:

GOV.UK One Login u2014 free, done directly with Companies House using a passport or UK driving licence.
An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) u2014 for example, a regulated accountant or formation agent who verifies identity on the director’s behalf, usually for a small fee.

New directors should complete this step before the appointment is filed to avoid delays. If your company is going through several director changes, it’s worth building identity verification into your standard onboarding process.

How to Change a Director at Companies House: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Decide Which Type of Change You Need

Confirm whether you are appointing (AP01), removing (TM01), or updating details for (CH01) a director. If you’re doing more than one of these at once u2014 for example, replacing an outgoing director with a new one u2014 you’ll need to file each form separately.

Step 2: Hold a Board Meeting or Pass a Resolution

Most companies’ Articles of Association allow the board to appoint a new director by board resolution. Removing a director, however, usually requires an ordinary resolution of the shareholders (a simple majority vote), passed either at a general meeting or via a written resolution. Check your Articles carefully, as some companies set additional requirements. Keep board minutes or a signed resolution on file u2014 Companies House doesn’t need to see them, but you must retain them as part of your statutory records.

Step 3: Gather the Required Information

For a new director appointment (AP01), you will need:

Full legal name and any former names
Date of birth
Nationality
Occupation
Usual residential address (kept private from the public register)
A service address (appears on the public register u2014 this can be the company’s registered office)
Completed identity verification (see above)

For a director removal (TM01), you’ll simply need the outgoing director’s full name and the effective date they ceased to act as a director.

For a change of director’s details (CH01), you’ll need the updated name, service address, or residential address, along with the date the change took effect.

Step 4: File the Correct Form with Companies House

You can file all three forms in two ways:

Online via Companies House WebFiling u2014 the fastest method, usually processed within 24 hours, and there is no Companies House fee for filing AP01, TM01, or CH01 online.
By post u2014 download the relevant paper form, complete it, and post it to the appropriate Companies House address for England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. Postal filings take considerably longer to process and carry a higher risk of rejection due to handwriting or formatting errors.

Most companies now use WebFiling or filing software, as it’s faster, free, and gives instant confirmation once the change has been accepted.

Step 5: Update Your Internal Statutory Registers

Once the change is filed, update your company’s internal Register of Directors and Register of Directors’ Residential Addresses. These registers must be kept at your registered office or a single alternative inspection location (SAIL) address and must reflect an accurate, up-to-date record at all times.

Step 6: Notify HMRC and Other Relevant Parties

Companies House does not automatically inform HMRC of a director change. You should separately update:

HMRC Corporation Tax records if the change affects the authorised officer for tax correspondence
Your business bank, as most banks require formal notice of a change in company officers before updating mandates
Your accountant or payroll provider, particularly if the outgoing director was also on payroll
Insurers and key contracts that name specific directors or require notice of a change in company control

If you also need to update details of a Person with Significant Control (PSC), for example because the departing director was a shareholder with more than 25% of voting rights, you’ll need a separate PSC filing. See our related guide on what records you need to keep for HMRC for more on ongoing compliance obligations.

Step 7: Issue Confirmation and Keep Records

For a new appointment, it’s good practice to issue a formal appointment letter confirming the director’s role, responsibilities, and start date. For a removal, keep a copy of the resignation letter or board/shareholder resolution. These records aren’t sent to Companies House but form part of your statutory books and may be requested during due diligence, audits, or if a dispute arises later.

Change Director at Companies House: Costs and Timelines at a Glance (2026)

Change Type	Form	Companies House Fee (Online)	Processing Time
Appoint a new director	AP01	Free	Usually within 24 hours
Remove a director	TM01	Free	Usually within 24 hours
Change director’s details	CH01	Free	Usually within 24 hours
Any of the above by post	AP01 / TM01 / CH01	Free	5u201310 working days

Fees correct as of 2026. Companies House does not charge for director change filings, though formation agents and accountants may charge a service fee for handling the filing on your behalf. Check the Companies House website for the latest fee schedule.

Can a Company Have No Directors?

No. Every UK private limited company must have at least one director at all times, and at least one of them must be a natural person rather than a corporate entity. Companies House will reject a TM01 filing that would leave the company with zero directors. If you are removing your only director, you must appoint a replacement either at the same time or beforehand.

What Happens If You Miss the 14-Day Deadline?

All director changes u2014 appointments, removals, and detail changes u2014 must be filed with Companies House within 14 days of the change taking effect. Missing this deadline is a breach of the Companies Act 2006 and is technically a criminal offence for the company and its officers, though in practice Companies House usually simply requests the overdue filing. Persistent late or missing filings can, however, affect your company’s compliance history and may be flagged during due diligence, lending applications, or investment rounds.

If your filings have fallen behind, our guide on records you need to keep for HMRC is a useful companion piece for getting your wider compliance back on track.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Changing a Director

Filing the Wrong Form

AP01, TM01, and CH01 serve different purposes, and using the wrong one will result in your filing being rejected. Always double-check you’re filing the correct form for appointment, removal, or a details update.

Forgetting Identity Verification

Since the identity verification rules came into force, an AP01 filing for a new director can be delayed or rejected if the individual hasn’t completed verification through GOV.UK One Login or an ACSP first.

Leaving the Company With No Directors

Removing your last remaining director without appointing a replacement will cause your TM01 filing to be rejected, as every company must have at least one director at all times.

Not Updating Internal Registers

Filing with Companies House is only half the job. Many companies forget to update their own Register of Directors, which is a separate statutory requirement.

Assuming HMRC Is Automatically Notified

Companies House and HMRC are separate organisations. A director change at Companies House does not automatically update HMRC, payroll, or your business bank u2014 each needs to be told separately.

Missing the 14-Day Deadline

Leaving director changes unfiled for months is one of the most common compliance gaps Filing Accounts UK sees. Set a reminder as soon as a board decision is made to avoid falling behind.

Frequently Asked Questions: Changing a Director at Companies House

How do I change a director at Companies House?

You file the relevant form with Companies House: AP01 to appoint a new director, TM01 to remove one, or CH01 to update an existing director’s details. This is normally done online via Companies House WebFiling and is free of charge.

How much does it cost to change a director at Companies House?

Filing AP01, TM01, or CH01 online is free u2014 there is no Companies House fee for director changes. A formation agent or accountant may charge a separate service fee if they handle the filing on your behalf.

How long does it take to change a director at Companies House?

Online filings are usually processed within 24 hours. Postal filings can take 5u201310 working days or longer.

Can I remove a director without their consent?

Yes. Under Section 168 of the Companies Act 2006, shareholders can remove a director by ordinary resolution (a simple majority vote), even if the director does not consent, subject to the director’s right to make representations before the vote.

Do I need to notify HMRC when I change a director?

Yes. Companies House does not automatically inform HMRC. You should update HMRC records separately, particularly if the change affects Corporation Tax correspondence or payroll.

Can a company have zero directors?

No. Every UK private limited company must have at least one director who is a natural person at all times. Companies House will reject a filing that would leave the company with no directors.

What is the deadline for filing a director change?

You must notify Companies House within 14 days of a director being appointed, removed, or having their details changed.

Do new directors need to verify their identity?

Yes. Since November 2025, new directors must verify their identity with Companies House via GOV.UK One Login or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider before their appointment can be registered. Existing directors have until November 2026 to complete verification.

Need Help Changing a Director? Talk to Filing Accounts UK

Changing a director at Companies House is a straightforward process on paper, but getting the resolutions, forms, identity verification, and HMRC notifications right u2014 all within a 14-day window u2014 can be time-consuming when you’re focused on running your business.

At Filing Accounts, we support UK limited company directors with company secretarial filings, statutory compliance, and accounting, so you can make changes to your board with confidence. If you’re planning to appoint, remove, or update a director and want expert guidance, we are here to help.

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