The Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, made under the powers of the Companies Act 2006, revise the fees payable for various company registration and administrative functions, effective from February 1st, 2026.
These regulations amend fees for companies, overseas companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships (including Scottish entities), and European Economic Interest Groupings, generally increasing many of the established charges to reflect increased costs, while also revoking certain fees concerning document inspection and copying, allowing the Registrar discretion to set such fees administratively going forward.
Arguments For
The amendments standardize and potentially increase essential service fees (like incorporation and confirmation statements) for companies, LLPs, and others, which often reflects increased operational costs or investments in new legislative requirements (e.g., Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 implementation).
Adjusting fees ensures that the cost of maintaining the public register and performing administrative functions is adequately covered through user charges, preventing a greater burden on general taxation.
Removing outdated fee provisions for document inspection and copying (Regulations 6, 12, 16) allows the Registrar of Companies to manage these specific services administratively in the future, potentially leading to more flexible or integrated pricing models.
Arguments Against
Fee increases, especially for basic services like incorporation or confirmation statements, raise the cost of doing business in the UK, which might deter new business formation or increase compliance costs for existing small entities.
Some fee reductions or revocations (e.g., for document inspection/copying) might indicate that services previously charged for are being moved to general funding or that digital alternatives are replacing paid access, potentially disrupting established access methods.
The document introduces numerous detailed percentage and absolute changes across several existing fee regulations, leading to complex compliance administration for entities needing to track the various fee schedules based on application timing (transitional provision).
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 1063(1) to (3A) and 1292(1)(c) of the Companies Act 2006.
The Secretary of State created these regulations by using the legal authority granted under specific subsections of the Companies Act 2006.
Part 1 INTRODUCTORY
This initial part of the regulations covers introductory matters.
Citation, commencement and extent 1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.
(2) These Regulations come into force on 1st February 2026.
(3) These Regulations extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The official title of this legislation is the Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.
The rules become effective on February 1st, 2026.
The legislation applies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Part 2 AMENDMENTS TO THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES (FEES) (COMPANIES, OVERSEAS COMPANIES AND LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIPS) REGULATIONS 2012
This section focuses on changing the fee structure established by the 2012 Regulations which govern fees for standard companies, overseas companies, and limited liability partnerships.
Interpretation
2.
In this Part “the 2012 Regulations”
means the Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Companies, Overseas Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships) Regulations 2012.
This regulation defines 'the 2012 Regulations' as the previous set of rules governing fees for companies, overseas companies, and LLPs.
Companies
3.
The column headed “amount of fee”
in the table in paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the 2012 Regulations (the performance of functions relating to the receipt of documents by the registrar and their registration) is amended as follows—
(a) in sub-paragraph (a)—
(i)
in paragraph (i) for “£50.00” substitute “£100.00”
;
(ii)
in paragraph (ii) for “£78.00” substitute “£156.00”
;
(iii)
in paragraph (iii) for “£50.00” substitute “£100.00”
;
(iv)
in paragraph (iv) for “£71.00” substitute “£124.00”
;
(b)
in sub-paragraph (b) for “£71.00” substitute “£124.00”
;
(c)
in sub-paragraph (c) for “£71.00” substitute “£124.00”
;
(d)
in sub-paragraph (d) for “£71.00” substitute “£124.00”
;
(e)
in sub-paragraph (e) for “£71.00” substitute “£124.00”
;
(f) in sub-paragraph (f)—
(i)
in paragraph (i) for “£62.00” substitute “£110.00”
;
(ii)
in paragraph (ii) for “£34.00” substitute “£50.00”
;
(g)
in paragraph (iii) of sub-paragraph (g) for “£83.00” substitute “£85.00”
;
(h)
in paragraph (ii) of sub-paragraph (h) for “£15.00” substitute “£14.00”
;
(i) in sub-paragraph (i)—
(i)
in paragraph (i) for “£44.00” substitute “£18.00”
;
(ii)
in paragraph (ii) for “£33.00” substitute “£13.00”
;
(j) in sub-paragraph (j)—
(i)
in paragraph (i) for “£136.00” substitute “£89.00”
;
(ii)
in paragraph (ii) for “£33.00” substitute “£20.00”
;
(iii)
in paragraph (iii) for “£136.00” substitute “£89.00”
;
(iv)
in paragraph (iv) for “£33.00” substitute “£20.00”
;
(k) in sub-paragraph (k)—
(i)
in paragraph (i) for “£136.00” substitute “£89.00”
;
(ii)
in paragraph (ii) for “£33.00” substitute “£20.00”
;
(iii)
in paragraph (iii) for “£136.00” substitute “£89.00”
;
(iv)
in paragraph (iv) for “£33.00” substitute “£20.00”
;
(l)
in sub-paragraph (l) for “£468.00” substitute “£341.00”
.
This regulation updates the fee amounts detailed in Schedule 1, paragraph 8 of the 2012 Regulations, which cover fees for the Registrar processing company documents.
Numerous service fees are significantly increased; for example, a fee listed as £50.00 increases substantially to £100.00 in several instances (sub-paragraph (a)(i) and (iii)).
Other specific registration and filing fees are also adjusted upwards or slightly downwards, such as a fee dropping from £15.00 to £14.00 (sub-paragraph (h)(ii)).
Limited Liability Partnerships
4.
The column headed “amount of fee”
in the table in paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 to the 2012 Regulations is amended as follows—
(a) in sub-paragraph (a)—
(i)
in paragraph (i) for “£78.00” substitute “£156.00”
;
(ii)
in paragraph (ii) for “£50.00” substitute “£100.00”
;
(iii)
in paragraph (iv) for “£71.00” substitute “£124.00”
;
(b) in sub-paragraph (b)—
(i)
in paragraph (i) for “£62.00” substitute “£110.00”
;
(ii)
in paragraph (ii) for “£34.00” substitute “£50.00”
;
(c)
in paragraph (iii) of sub-paragraph (c) for “£83.00” substitute “£85.00”
;
(d)
in paragraph (ii) of sub-paragraph (d) for “£15.00” substitute “£14.00”
;
(e) in sub-paragraph (e)—
(i)
in paragraph (i) for “£44.00” substitute “£18.00”
;
(ii)
in paragraph (ii) for “£33.00” substitute “£13.00”
;
(f)
in sub-paragraph (f) for “£468.00” substitute “£341.00”
.
Fees related to Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) found in paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 to the 2012 Regulations are adjusted.
Fees for submission processes, for example, see a doubling from £78.00 to £156.00 (sub-paragraph (a)(i)).
Conversely, some fees are adjusted downward, such as a reduction from £44.00 to £18.00 (sub-paragraph (e)(i)).
The final listed fee under sub-paragraph (f) is substantially reduced from £468.00 to £341.00.
Overseas Companies
5.
The column headed “amount of fee”
in the table in paragraph 11 of Schedule 1 to the 2012 Regulations is amended as follows—
(a)
in sub-paragraph (a) for “£71.00” substitute “£124.00”
;
(b) in sub-paragraph (d)—
(i)
in paragraph (i) for “£62.00” substitute “£110.00”
;
(ii)
in paragraph (ii) for “£34.00” substitute “£50.00”
.
This regulation amends fees for Overseas Companies detailed in paragraph 11 of Schedule 1 to the 2012 Regulations.
A listed fee of £71.00 for a specific action is increased to £124.00 (sub-paragraph (a)), and other fees in sub-paragraph (b) are also revised.
Revocation 6. Regulations 4 and 5 of, and Schedule 2 to, the 2012 Regulations (fees payable in respect of the inspection or provision of copies of documents kept by the registrar) are revoked.
This regulation removes Regulations 4 and 5, along with Schedule 2, from the 2012 Regulations.
These revoked parts previously detailed the fees required when someone requested to inspect or obtain copies of documents held by the Registrar of Companies.
Part 3 AMENDMENTS TO THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES (FEES) (REGISTER OF OVERSEAS ENTITIES) REGULATIONS 2024
This part concerns modifications to the fees related to the Register of Overseas Entities, introduced under the 2024 Regulations.
Register of Overseas Entities
7.
The column headed “amount of fee”
in the table in paragraph 1 of the Schedule to the Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Registrar of Overseas Entities) Regulations 2024 (fees payable) is amended as follows—
(a) in sub-paragraph (a)—
(i)
in paragraph (i) for “£467.00” substitute “£528.00”
;
(ii)
in paragraph (ii) for “£234.00” substitute “£250.00”
;
(b) in sub-paragraph (b)—
(i)
in paragraph (i) for “£467.00” substitute “£268.00”
;
(ii)
in paragraph (ii) for “£234.00” substitute “£134.00”
;
(c) in sub-paragraph (c)—
(i)
in paragraph (i) for “£940.00” substitute “£602.00”
;
(ii)
in paragraph (ii) for “£706.00” substitute “£301.00”
.
This updates the fees associated with the Register of Overseas Entities in the 2024 Regulations.
Fees appear to be adjusted significantly depending on the nature of the filing, with some substantial increases (e.g., £467.00 to £528.00 for one item) and others showing large reductions (e.g., £940.00 decreasing to £602.00 for registration documentation).
Part 4 AMENDMENTS TO THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES (FEES) (LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS AND NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS) REGULATIONS 2009
This section details amendments being made to the 2009 Regulations, which cover fees for Limited Partnerships and Newspaper Proprietors.
Interpretation
8.
In this Part “the 2009 Regulations”
means the Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Limited Partnerships and Newspaper Proprietors) Regulations 2009.
This section establishes that 'the 2009 Regulations' refers to the specific regulations concerning fees for limited partnerships and newspaper proprietors.
Limited Partnerships
9.
In the column headed “amount of fee”
in the table in paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 to the 2009 Regulations (the performance of functions relating to the registration of documents by the registrar) substitute—
The regulation substitutes the fee table in paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 to the 2009 Regulations, which concerns fees for document registration related to Limited Partnerships.
The fee for the registration of a limited partnership under section 8 of the LP Act is set at £124.00.
The fee for certain applications under section 8D of the LP Act is set to £30.00.
Scottish Limited Partnerships
10.
In the column headed “amount of fee”
in the table in paragraph 5A of Schedule 1 to the 2009 Regulations, for “£62.00”
substitute
.“£110.00”
This instruction changes the fee amount listed in paragraph 5A of Schedule 1 of the 2009 Regulations, specifically raising the fee from £62.00 to £110.00 for certain documentation related to Scottish Limited Partnerships.
Scottish Qualifying Partnerships
11.
The column headed “amount of fee”
in the table in paragraph 5B of Schedule 1 to the 2009 Regulations is amended as follows—
(a)
in sub-paragraph (a) for “£71.00” substitute “£124.00”
;
(b)
in sub-paragraph (b) for “£62.00” substitute “£110.00”
.
Fees for Scottish Qualifying Partnerships, found in paragraph 5B of Schedule 1 to the 2009 Regulations, are updated.
The fee of £71.00 is raised to £124.00 (sub-paragraph (a)), and the fee of £62.00 is raised to £110.00 (sub-paragraph (b)).
Revocation 12. Regulation 4 of, and Schedule 2 to, the 2009 Regulations (fees payable in respect of the inspection or provision of copies of documents kept by the registrar relating to limited partnerships) are revoked.
This regulation revokes Regulation 4 and Schedule 2 from the 2009 Regulations.
This removes the established fees previously charged for inspecting or obtaining copies of documents related to limited partnerships held by the Registrar.
Part 5 AMENDMENTS TO THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES (FEES) (EUROPEAN ECONOMIC INTEREST GROUPING AND EUROPEAN PUBLIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY) REGULATIONS 2012
This part details changes to the fees applicable to European Economic Interest Groupings (EEIGs) and European Public Limited-Liability Companies, governed by the 2012 EEIG Regulations.
Interpretation 13. In this Part “the EEIG Regulations 2012” means the Registrar of Companies (Fees) (European Economic Interest Grouping and European Public Limited-Liability Company) Regulations 2012.
This defines 'the EEIG Regulations 2012' as the regulations governing fees for various European-style commercial entities.
UK Economic Interest Groupings and European Economic Interest Grouping establishments
14.
In the column headed “amount of fee” in the table in paragraph 5(b) of Schedule 1 to the EEIG Regulations 2012, for “£71.00” substitute “£124.00”
.
The fee amount for registering UK Economic Interest Grouping establishments, as specified in paragraph 5(b) of Schedule 1 to the EEIG Regulations 2012, is increased from £71.00 to £124.00.
UK Societates
15.
In the column headed “amount of fee” in the table in paragraph 6(b) of Schedule 1 to the EEIG Regulations 2012, for “£71.00” substitute “£124.00”
.
The fee specified in paragraph 6(b) of Schedule 1 to the EEIG Regulations 2012, relating to the conversion of a 'UK Societates' (UK Public Limited Company) into a European Public Limited-Liability Company, is increased from £71.00 to £124.00.
Revocation 16. Regulation 4 of, and Schedule 2 to, the EEIG Regulations 2012 (fees payable in respect of the inspection or provision of copies of documents kept by the registrar relating to UKEIGs and EEIG establishments) are revoked.
This revokes provisions within the EEIG Regulations 2012 concerning the fees charged for inspecting or copying documents related to UK Economic Interest Groupings and EEIG establishments.
These specific charges are removed.
Part 6 TRANSITIONAL PROVISION
This final substantive part addresses how the new fees interact with documents submitted just before the commencement date.
(1) A fee payable in respect of a relevant document is the fee that was payable before 1st February 2026.
(2) In this regulation, “relevant document” means a document—
(a) in respect of which a fee which is amended by these Regulations is payable, and
(b) which was delivered to the registrar before 1st February 2026 but which is registered on or after that date.
For any 'relevant document,' the fee charged must be the rate that was in place immediately before February 1st, 2026.
A 'relevant document' is defined as one whose fee has been changed by these regulations but was physically delivered to the registrar before the new start date, even if it is officially registered afterward.
Explanatory Note These Regulations amend the Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Companies, Overseas Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships) Regulations 2012 (“the 2012 Regulations”), the Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Registrar of Overseas Entities) Regulations 2024 (“the 2024 Regulations”), the Registrar of Companies (Fees) (Limited Partnerships and Newspaper Proprietors) Regulations 2009 (“the 2009 Regulations”) and the Registrar of Companies (Fees) (European Economic Interest Grouping and European Public Limited-Liability Company) Regulations 2012 (“the EEIG Regulations 2012”), which require payment of fees in respect of the performance of functions relating to the receipt of documents by the registrar and their registration. These Regulations amend existing fees to reflect increased costs due to the implementation of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022. These Regulations reduce some fees to reflect changes in the cost of providing particular services and also revoke some fees so that in the future they can be set administratively by the registrar.
Regulation 3, 4 and 5 amend fees in paragraphs 8, 10 and 11 of Schedule 1 to the 2012 Regulations in relation to incorporation fees, annual confirmation statements fees and registration fees for companies, overseas companies and limited liability partnerships.
Regulation 6 revokes provisions relating to fees payable in respect of the inspection or provision of documents kept by the registrar.
Regulation 7 amends the fees in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the 2024 Regulations concerning the registration of overseas entities, the delivery to the registrar of the statements and information required and the application for removal from the list of registered overseas entities.
Regulation 9 amends paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 to the 2009 Regulations, increasing the fees for registration of a limited partnership and specifying the fee for making an application to the registrar under section 8D of the Limited Partnerships Act 1907.
Regulation 10 amends paragraph 5A of Schedule 1 to the 2009 Regulations, increasing the fees for the registration of all relevant documents in respect of a Scottish limited partnership delivered during a relevant period on the registration of a confirmation statement.
Regulation 11 amends paragraph 5B of Schedule 1 to the 2009 Regulations, increasing the fees for the registration of a Scottish qualifying partnership and the registration of all relevant documents in respect of a Scottish qualifying partnership delivered during a relevant period on the registration of a confirmation statement.
Regulation 12 revokes provisions in the 2009 Regulations relating to fees payable in respect of the inspection or provision of copies of documents kept by the registrar relating to limited partnerships.
Regulation 14 amends paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 to the EEIG Regulations 2012, increasing the fee for the registration of UK economic interest grouping establishments.
Regulation 15 amends paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 to the EEIG Regulations 2012, increasing the fee for the registration of a public company by the conversion of a UK Societates.
Regulation 16 revokes provisions in the EEIG Regulations 2012 relating to fees payable in respect of the inspection or provision of copies of documents kept by the registrar.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private or voluntary sector is foreseen.
The Explanatory Note confirms the purpose is to amend fees across four sets of regulations: the 2012 Regulations (companies/LLPs), the 2024 Regulations (Overseas Entities), the 2009 Regulations (Limited Partnerships), and the EEIG Regulations 2012.
Fee increases are justified by reflecting higher operational costs, particularly those arising from implementing the Economic Crime Acts of 2022 and 2023.
Some fees are reduced, and others related to document inspection are revoked to allow the Registrar to set those prices administratively.
The note details which specific regulations are changing, covering everything from incorporation to confirmation statements across different business structures.