Companies House

New: PROOF Sign-in via WebFiling

On Sunday 21st June 2009 Companies House introduced a new electronic means of signing companies up to PROOF via the WebFiling service.

The PROOF (PROtected Online Filing) scheme helps companies to protect themselves from being hijacked as it prevents individuals from filing certain paper forms. These include documents for an appointment/termination/change of particulars of company officers and change of registered office address (currently 287, 288 and Annual Return forms). When a company has joined the PROOF scheme, Companies House will reject any paper versions of these forms and send them back to the registered office address. This helps to ensure that any changes made have been registered with the company’s authority.

To join the PROOF scheme, you will first need to be registered for the Companies House WebFiling Service. Once you have registered for the WebFiling service and completed the sign-in process, simply tick the box to confirm that you have read and agreed with the terms and conditions and select ‘join PROOF'.

What this means for those companies already signed up to PROOF

Companies who are currently registered for PROOF will continue to benefit from the protection that the scheme offers.  However, we would encourage companies to sign up for the new PROOF service as the system is more efficient.  Simply log onto the WebFiling service, agree to the terms and conditions and select ‘join PROOF’.  We will be able to communicate any system enhancements to you electronically rather than on paper once you have transferred to the improved scheme.

Please note that companies will be required to agree to a new version of PROOF terms and conditions again in October 2009 when they are re-written to comply with the new Companies Act.  Companies House cannot automatically transfer customers by default and companies must specifically agree to the new terms and conditions themselves.  We will remind you to transfer to the new scheme at the appropriate time but failure to do so may result in your company’s removal from the scheme and the risk of fraudulent filings.

Further information on the sign-up process for PROOF (existing customers)

What this means for new PROOF customers

For those companies who are not signed up to PROOF and are not protected against company hijack, there is now a quick and easy way to join the scheme at no extra charge.  Simply register for the WebFiling service, agree to the terms and conditions and select ‘join PROOF’.

Please note that companies will be required to agree to a new version of PROOF terms and conditions again in October 2009 when they are re-written to comply with the new Companies Act.  Companies House cannot automatically transfer customers by default and companies must specifically agree to the new terms and conditions themselves.  We will remind you to transfer to the new scheme at the appropriate time but failure to do so may result in your company’s removal from the scheme and the risk of fraudulent filings.

Further information on the sign-up process for PROOF (new customers)

Further information on PROOF