How Do I Change My SIC Code?

You change your SIC code by filing a confirmation statement with your updated code included. There's no separate form for this. You either wait for your next confirmation statement or file one early if you want the change on record sooner.

Key Takeaways

• Your SIC code is a 5-digit code describing your company's business activity, and you can list up to four at once.
• The only way to update it is through a confirmation statement, filed either at your next due date or early.
• As of February 2026, filing a confirmation statement costs £50 for digital filing, or £110 for paper.
• Companies House keeps specific codes for dormant (99999) and non-trading (74990) companies, worth using if either applies to you.
• There's no fine for having the wrong SIC code, but updating it keeps your public record accurate and avoids confusion with lenders or partners.

What Is a SIC Code?

A SIC code is a 5-digit number that tells Companies House, and anyone looking up your company, what industry your business operates in. You're required to give one when you register your company, and you can list up to four if your business spans more than one activity.

If your company shifts direction from what you originally registered, that's completely normal, and it's exactly what your SIC code exists to reflect once you update it.

How Do I Actually Change My SIC Code?

There's only one route: file a confirmation statement with your new code included. You can either wait until your next confirmation statement is due, or file one early if you want the change reflected sooner.

To update it, enter your new code or codes in the relevant section of the confirmation statement. You can list up to four, and the full list of codes and their descriptions is available directly through Companies House. Once Companies House accepts the filing, your new code is officially on record.

Your company's first confirmation statement is due within 12 months of incorporation, plus 14 days to file, and every 12 months after that. As of February 2026, filing costs £50 for digital submission or £110 for paper, up from the previous flat £34 rate.

Which SIC Code Do I Use if My Company Is Dormant or Not Trading?

If your company is dormant, use code 99999. If it's non-trading, use 74990 instead. Both signal your company's status clearly to anyone checking the public register.

Our guide to making your company dormant covers what else is required alongside this, since a dormant company still has to file confirmation statements and accounts every year.

Do I Need to Do Anything Else When I Update My SIC Code?

No, not directly. Once Companies House accepts your updated confirmation statement, the new code is officially recorded, and you don't need to notify HMRC or anyone else separately.

That said, since November 2025, confirmation statements also require confirming your company's lawful purpose alongside your SIC code, part of the same wider push toward a more accurate, better-verified company register. It's worth keeping your accounting records and any relevant business contacts up to date too, even though there's no formal requirement to inform them directly. Our guide to PSCs and the Confirmation Statement covers the fuller picture of what's changed with this filing recently.

Does Getting My SIC Code Wrong Cause Problems?

No, there's no fine for an incorrect SIC code, and Companies House won't reject your formation over it. But an outdated code can affect how lenders, partners, or potential clients see your business, since it's part of your public profile.

If you're not sure your current code still fits, it's worth checking now rather than waiting for your next confirmation statement to force the question. Our Confirmation Statement filing service can help you get it updated correctly alongside everything else that filing covers.

FAQs

How do I change my SIC code?

File a confirmation statement with your updated code included. You can wait for your next due date or file one early if you want the change reflected sooner.

How much does it cost to file a confirmation statement?

As of February 2026, it's £50 for digital filing or £110 for paper filing, up from the previous flat rate of £34.

How many SIC codes can my company have?

Up to four, if your business covers more than one type of activity.

What SIC code do I use for a dormant company?

99999. Non-trading companies use 74990 instead.

Is there a penalty for having the wrong SIC code?

No, there's no fine. But it's worth updating it, since an outdated code affects how your company appears to lenders, partners, and anyone checking the public register.

Do I need to tell HMRC separately when I change my SIC code?

No. Once Companies House accepts your confirmation statement, the update is officially on record, and no separate notification is required.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Companies House fees and requirements can change, so it's worth checking current guidance on GOV.UK or Companies House before filing.