Registrar's rules
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-25)

Rules outlining the form, manner of delivery and method of authentication for documents delivered to Companies House in electronic or paper format.

About the registrar’s rules

The Registrar of Companies is given authority to make rules governing the filing of documents at Companies House. This includes:
- filing your Companies House information online (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/filing-your-companies-house-information-online)
- paper forms to register and file information with Companies House (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/forms-for-company-registration-and-filing)
These rules are made under section 1117 of the Companies Act 2006 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/46/section/1117) and must be complied with whenever a document is delivered to Companies House.

Links to the registrar’s rules

Latest versions of each volume of the rules:
- Registrar’s Rules – Volume 1: Requirements for Electronic Documents (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69174089b49cc443451617ff/Registrars__Requirements_Applicable_to_Electronic_Form_Documents__Rules_2022_Master.pdf) (PDF, 736 KB, 69 pages)
- Registrar’s Rules – Volume 2A: Upload Service (https://resources.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/policyDocuments/registrarsRules/the-registrars-upload-service-rules-2020.pdf)
- Registrar’s Rules – Volume 2: Requirements for Paper Documents (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691740d2b49cc44345161800/Paper_Registrars_Rules_2009_Volume_2.pdf__4___3_.pdf) (PDF, 2.48 MB, 167 pages)
- Registrar’s Rules – Volume 3: Requirements for CDs or DVDs (http://resources.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/policyDocuments/registrarsRules/volume3.pdf)
- The Registrar’s (Requirements for Informal Correction) Rules 2009 - Volume 4 (repealed)
- Registrar’s Rules – Volume 5 : Authentication of a Certificate (http://resources.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/policyDocuments/registrarsRules/volume5.pdf)
- Registrar’s Rules – Volume 6: Nomination of Default Address (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6925c5422945773cf12dd069/Registrar_s_Rules___Volume_6-_Nomination_of_Default_Address.pdf) (PDF, 223 KB, 3 pages)
- Registrar’s Rules – Volume 7 : Register of Overseas Entities (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68d1462eca266424b221b11a/Register_of_Overseas_Entities_rules_2025.pdf) (PDF, 292 KB, 18 pages)
The registrar is also given authority to make rules governing identity verification and applying to become an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP):
- Registrar’s Rules – Volume 8: Identity Verification by the Registrar (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6908818914e0c1d978417519/THE_REGISTRARS___IDENTITY_VERIFICATION_BY_THE_REGISTRAR__RULES_2025.pdf) (PDF, 184 KB, 11 pages)
- Registrar’s Rules – Volume 9 : Identity Verification by Authorised Corporate Service Providers (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67b451674e79a175a4c2fdcb/REGISTRAR_S__IDENTITY_VERIFICATION_BY_AUTHORISED_CORPORATE_SERVICE_PROVIDERS__RULES_2025__1_.pdf) (PDF, 130 KB, 6 pages)
- Registrar’s Rules – Volume 10 : Requirements for Applications to become an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67ed2c4c98b3bac1ec299b9b/REGISTRAR_S__REQUIREMENTS_APPLICABLE_TO_APPLICATIONS_TO_BECOME_AN_AUTHORISED_CORPORATE_SERVICE_PROVIDER__RULES_2025.pdf) (PDF, 130 KB, 7 pages)
Amendments to the registrar’s rules

The registrar’s rules have been amended since they came into force on 1 October 2009. These tables outline each of the amendments, with details of what they contained and when they came into force.

2025 amendments

2024 amendments

2023 amendments

2022 amendments

2021

No amendments.

2020 amendments

2019 amendments

2018 amendments

2017 amendments

2016 amendments

2015 amendments

2014 amendments

2013 amendments

2012 amendments

2011 amendments

2010 amendments