Guidance

Important information for software developers - read first

Updated 17 March 2025

You must read this guidance before reading the technical interface specification (TIS).

We plan to replace our XML platform with our (REST JSON) API in the long-term future. We do not have a definite timetable for this yet, but you should consider this before developing an XML gateway-based service.

Applying for a test account

Before you start, you바카라 사이트™ll need to read and understand the contents of our specification. If you decide to start development, you바카라 사이트™ll need to set up your test account first.

To activate a test account, you바카라 사이트™ll need to give us the presenter바카라 사이트™s:

• name
• contact name
• address
• email address
• telephone number

To apply for your test account, send us these details by email: xml@companieshouse.gov.uk

Apart from the address, these are usually the developer바카라 사이트™s details. Our main contact during testing is usually the development team, and not the presenter or company.

We바카라 사이트™ll use these details to activate a test account. We바카라 사이트™ll then give you the test presenter credentials which you must use in all test submissions.

To make sure test cases are effective, your test data should closely resemble 바카라 사이트˜real life바카라 사이트™ data.

Testing guidance

Your test submissions will be examined or 바카라 사이트˜parsed바카라 사이트™ by the gateway. Submissions will be automatically rejected if it detects any errors.

Your test account will only store submissions which have successfully parsed the gateway. These submissions need to be manually reviewed by Companies House and will stay pending until we바카라 사이트™ve reviewed them.

You바카라 사이트™ll need to tell us when you바카라 사이트™ve made test submissions, so we can review them. Contact us by email: xml@companieshouse.gov.uk

The will need to be tested with the test flag set to 1. See 바카라 사이트˜More info바카라 사이트™ for available examples.

You바카라 사이트™ll need to use a unique submission (envelope) number for each of your submissions, so we can check and respond to your test submissions.

Read the technical specifications for guidance on submissions and responses. The diagram explains what communications to expect between you and Companies House.

These documents cover technical guidance only, and not the legal requirements of running a business.

Visit 바카라 사이트 for more information on:

• registering a company
• running a company
• filing information with Companies House

Submitting attachments within XML

All incorporation submissions must have at least one attachment within the XML <Document> element. This also applies to some other document types.

You should test all variations of the image attachments.

If a company is using modified or bespoke articles of association, you바카라 사이트™ll need to test these attachments. You do not need an attachment if the company is using 바카라 사이트˜model바카라 사이트™ articles of association.

You should also test any attachment letters that give permission or justification to use a company name that:

• includes a 바카라 사이트˜sensitive바카라 사이트™ word or expression
• is considered the 바카라 사이트˜same as바카라 사이트™ another company name registered

Creating attachment images

1. Save the document in one of the specified and supported PCL or PDF formats.
2. Compress this into a base64 string.
3. Paste the created base64 string into the XML <Data> element.

This information applies to the 바카라 사이트˜input바카라 사이트™ (filing) version of the XML gateway only.

To develop a 바카라 사이트˜name availability search바카라 사이트™ for your incorporation software, you바카라 사이트™ll need the 바카라 사이트˜output바카라 사이트™ (search) version of the XML gateway. Email xml@companieshouse.gov.uk for more information.

Completion of testing

Testing is complete when Companies House is confident that the development, relevant to the form types being tested, meets our strict criteria.

You바카라 사이트™ll then need to apply for an online filing presenter account, if you do not have one already, and we바카라 사이트™ll send you a presenter ID.

Useful links

.

- see 바카라 사이트˜More info바카라 사이트™ for available examples.

Troubleshooting: common testing issues

No response to test submission whatsoever

You바카라 사이트™ll need to confirm the URL you바카라 사이트™ve used, and email your XML test submission to xml@companieshouse.gov.uk

No further response to test submission after initial acknowledgement

All status requests must be polled for. Visit for the relevant 바카라 사이트˜Get submission status바카라 사이트™, 바카라 사이트˜Get status ack바카라 사이트™ and 바카라 사이트˜Get document바카라 사이트™ schemas.

Pending response received

This applies to test submissions that include an attachment. Email xml@companieshouse.gov.uk to let us know and we바카라 사이트™ll review your test, and change the status accordingly.

Reject reason: 502 Error

Check that both your sender (test presenter ID) and authentication value is correct and properly MD5# coded.

Check that the test flag is set to 1.

Check that the value is shown as 바카라 사이트˜clear바카라 사이트™.

Check that the package reference is 0012.

Reject reason: Failure - multiple tests

You have submitted multiple tests with the same submission number.

So we can check and respond to your test submissions, you바카라 사이트™ll need to use a unique submission (envelope) number for each of your submissions. For guidance on submissions and responses, the technical specification contains a diagram of the communications you can expect between you and Companies House.

Reject reason: Only non-electronic filing accounts can access this service

You바카라 사이트™ve probably tried to submit a 바카라 사이트˜search request바카라 사이트™ for a company name, data or images.

These options are not available through our software filing gateway. For information on our searchable software options, visit:

• - if you need the testing criteria for this, email xml@companieshouse.gov.uk