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I've Entered the Wrong Date of Birth for a New Director, What Do I Do?
You have two options: file a corrected AP01 alongside an RP04 second filing form, or resign and re-appoint the director with the correct date. Both work, but they leave different traces on your company's public record, and one is worth knowing about before you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Filing a corrected AP01 with an RP04 form corrects the date without removing the original appointment from your filing history.
- Resigning and re-appointing the director fixes the error too, but both the resignation and the new appointment will show on your public company records.
- If the director's identity has already been verified with Companies House, it's worth double-checking the corrected date of birth matches what was used during that verification.
- Neither method removes the original, incorrect filing from your company's history.
How Do I Correct a Director's Date of Birth?
Option 1: File a corrected AP01 with an RP04. Complete a new AP01 appointment of director form with the correct date of birth, then complete an RP04, "Second filing of a document previously delivered," and submit both together. This corrects the record without triggering a formal resignation.
Option 2: Resign and re-appoint. If your company is with us, you can resign the appointment with the incorrect date of birth, then re-appoint the director with the correct one through your account. This is a simpler process to carry out, but both the resignation and the new appointment will appear on your company's public filing history, which the AP01 and RP04 route avoids.
Does This Affect the Director's Identity Verification?
It's worth checking. If the director has already completed identity verification with Companies House, their verified details are tied to accurate personal information, including their date of birth. If the incorrect date you originally filed doesn't match what was used during verification, it's worth confirming directly with Companies House that correcting the AP01 doesn't create a mismatch with their verified identity record, particularly given how central accurate personal details are to the verification system introduced in November 2025.
This is a newer consideration that didn't exist before identity verification became mandatory, so it's worth treating with a bit more care than a simple paperwork correction might have needed in the past.
Will the Original Mistake Still Be Visible?
Yes. Neither correction method removes the original, incorrect filing from your company's history on the public register. Both methods fix the current record going forward, but the earlier filing remains part of your company's history regardless of which route you use.
FAQs
How do I fix an incorrect date of birth for a newly appointed director?
File a corrected AP01 alongside an RP04 second filing form, or resign and re-appoint the director with the correct date through your account.
Which correction method is better?
The AP01 and RP04 route avoids adding a resignation to your public record. Resigning and re-appointing is simpler to do but leaves both actions visible on your company's history.
Will the incorrect date of birth disappear from my company's records once I correct it?
No, the original filing remains part of your company's history on the public register even after you correct it.
Does correcting a date of birth affect a director's identity verification?
It can, if there's now a mismatch between the corrected date and what was used during their verification. It's worth checking directly with Companies House if this applies to your situation.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Companies House processes can change, so it's worth checking current guidance on GOV.UK or Companies House before relying on the details above.
