First things first: Don’t panic! A rejection from Companies House doesn't mean you can't start your business. It usually just means there’s a small error in the paperwork or a clash with your chosen name.
Why was it rejected?
Companies House doesn't always give a detailed reason, but 99% of rejections fall into these categories:
Name issues: Your chosen name is too similar to an existing company or contains a sensitive word without the right permission.
Address errors: The registered office address might be missing a postcode or contain a typo.
Missing details: A small bit of required info was accidentally left out.
How to fix it
We want to get you back on track as quickly as possible.
We’ll send you an message explaining exactly which part of your application was flagged. We'll let you know what we need to update and fix the error (for example, by choosing a new name or correcting your address). Then we'll submit your application again.
Do I have to pay again?
No. If your application is rejected, you don’t lose your £100 deposit. We hold onto it and apply it to your resubmission. You only spend the fee once Companies House officially approves your company.