Companies House is moving to GOV.UK One Login: what directors need to know
Companies House is moving to GOV.UK One Login: what directors need to know
Companies House is making GOV.UK One Login the main way to sign in to its “Find and update company information” service. The change is part of a wider move towards a single, more secure sign-in for government services.
What is changing?
The sign-in screen is changing in late August 2026, with GOV.UK One Login displayed as the main option. Existing users can continue using their current Companies House account details for now, although that option will appear further down the page.
All new users will need a GOV.UK One Login. Companies House also says that every user will eventually need to move across, but it has not yet announced the final deadline for existing accounts.
What is GOV.UK One Login?
GOV.UK One Login lets an individual access a range of government services using one email address and password. Sign-in also uses multi-factor authentication through an authenticator app or SMS, adding an extra layer of security.
Important: this sign-in change does not, by itself, mean that you are being asked to verify your identity. One Login and Companies House identity verification are related but separate processes.
Why shared accounts need attention
Each GOV.UK One Login belongs to one person and must use that individual’s email address and phone number. If several directors, employees or advisers currently share one Companies House account, they should review that arrangement before One Login becomes compulsory.
Sharing an account after it has been linked to GOV.UK One Login can trigger security controls and lock users out. The safer approach is for each person who requires access to have an individual Companies House account linked to their own One Login.
Do not confuse the Companies House services
The current announcement concerns the “Find and update company information” service. WebFiling has already required GOV.UK One Login since 13 October 2025. Businesses should therefore check which service they use and make sure the relevant accounts are ready.