How to Change Shareholders on Companies House

If you're running a limited company in the UK, it's essential to keep your shareholder information accurate and up to date. While Companies House doesn’t require you to notify them every time a share transfer happens, changes in share ownership must still be recorded properly and reflected in your company's next Confirmation Statement.

Making changes to your company’s shareholding structure may seem simple on the surface, but getting it wrong can lead to compliance issues, incorrect filings, or shareholder disputes later down the line. Our team of experienced limited company accountants can guide you through the entire process from drafting stock transfer forms and updating statutory registers to filing confirmation statements and SH01 forms. We ensure everything is handled professionally and in line with the Companies Act, helping you avoid common mistakes and maintain a clean record with Companies House.

In this article, we explain how to change shareholders in a limited company, what needs to be filed with Companies House, and how to make sure your company records stay compliant.

Can You Change Shareholders on Companies House?

Yes, you can update the shareholder information held by Companies House—but you don't do it by filing a separate form just for shareholder changes. Instead, any change in share ownership is reported through your company’s next Confirmation Statement, which is due at least once every 12 months.

This means that while share transfers can happen at any time internally, the update will only appear on the public register once you file your next Confirmation Statement, unless you choose to file an early update.

When Might You Need to Change Shareholders?

There are several situations where shareholder details need to be updated:

• Transferring shares from one individual to another

• Issuing new shares to a new or existing shareholder

• Removing a shareholder after they sell or transfer all their shares

• Updating the details of existing shareholders (e.g. name correction or address change)

Even though Companies House does not monitor share transfers in real time, your company is legally required to maintain accurate records and provide them when requested.

Steps to Change Shareholders in a Limited Company

Changing shareholders is mostly an internal process, but you must follow correct procedures and keep full documentation.

1. Prepare a Stock Transfer Form
If shares are being sold or gifted, complete a stock transfer form (Form J30). This records who is transferring shares, who is receiving them, and how many are being transferred. If the shares are being sold, include the value and any stamp duty owed (if over £1,000).

2. Update the Company’s Statutory Registers
Your company must update its Register of Members to reflect the new share ownership. This is a legal requirement under the Companies Act 2006.

3. Issue Share Certificates
Give the new shareholder an updated share certificate as evidence of ownership.

4. Report the Change in the Confirmation Statement
Shareholder changes must be included in your next Confirmation Statement. You can wait until your regular filing deadline or file an updated statement early to show the changes sooner.

How to File a Confirmation Statement with Updated Shareholders

To file an updated Confirmation Statement:

1. Log in to Companies House WebFiling

2. Select the company and choose “File a Confirmation Statement”

3. Select the option to update shareholder information

4. Add, remove or amend shareholders and their shareholdings

5. Review the statement and submit it along with the £13 filing fee

Once submitted, the public register will show the new shareholder details.

What If You Are Issuing New Shares?

If you are issuing new shares rather than transferring existing ones, you must also:

• Hold a board meeting to authorise the issue

• File a SH01 form with Companies House within 30 days to notify them of the change in share capital

• Update your Register of Members and Statement of Capital

The updated shareholder list will still appear in the next Confirmation Statement.

Read more about how to change shares on companies house.

Do Shareholder Changes Need Legal Advice?

While many share transfers are straightforward, some situations may benefit from legal or accounting advice, especially when:

• There are multiple classes of shares

• You are selling a large stake or transferring to a family member

• Your company has external investors or a shareholders’ agreement in place

• You are preparing for a company sale or investment round

Incorrectly handled share transfers can create long-term complications with ownership, tax, or voting rights.

Final Thoughts

Changing shareholders in a limited company is a common and perfectly manageable process—but it’s essential to follow the correct steps, keep your internal records up to date, and ensure the changes are reflected in your next Confirmation Statement to Companies House.

Whether you’re transferring shares between founders, bringing on an investor, or restructuring your ownership, getting it right from the start will protect your business and ensure compliance with UK company law.

Unsure what to file, when to file it or how to stay compliant? Our Companies House Help hub walks you through it all.

If you're running a smaller business or managing your company as a sole director, it’s easy to overlook the formal steps involved in transferring shares. Whether you’re bringing on a new investor, passing shares to a family member, or simply tidying up your records, our small company accountant service is here to make the process stress-free. We’ll take care of all the documentation, update your company registers, and make sure Companies House reflects the correct shareholder information—all while keeping your costs manageable and your company fully compliant.

You might also be interested in how to remove a director from companies house.