Companies House Powers: New Requirements and Updates for UK Companies

Companies House powers have expanded significantly under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). The reforms give Companies House a more active role in checking information on the company register, improving the accuracy of company records and tackling the misuse of UK companies for economic crime. This is particularly important for company directors, people with significant control (PSCs), business owners, accountants and anyone responsible for filing information with Companies House. The changes are being introduced in stages, so businesses need to understand which requirements already apply and which Companies House changes 2027 and later reforms are still to come. This guide explains the new Companies House powers, what the ECCTA means in practice, identity verification, the role of Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs), the current new Companies House requirements, upcoming changes and what directors and businesses should do to remain compliant.

What Are the New Companies House Powers?

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 has changed the role of Companies House. Rather than simply recording information submitted by companies, the Registrar now has broader responsibilities and powers to improve the integrity of the register and prevent its misuse. The reforms allow Companies House to take a more active approach when information appears inaccurate, misleading, suspicious or potentially connected with unlawful activity. The expanded Companies House powers include the ability to:

• Query information submitted to Companies House.
• Request further information or evidence where appropriate.
• Reject information that does not meet the relevant requirements.
• Remove certain information from the register.
• Take action concerning inappropriate registered office addresses.
• Improve checks against information held by other organisations.
• Share information with relevant government bodies and law enforcement agencies.
• Take enforcement action where the relevant legal requirements are not met.

The overall objective is to create a more reliable company register and make it harder for companies and corporate structures to be used for economic crime.

Why Has Companies House Been Given More Powers?

Companies House information is used by businesses, lenders, investors, professional advisers, government departments and members of the public when making decisions about companies. If information on the register is false, misleading or incomplete, it can make it harder to establish who controls a company, where a company operates or whether information supplied to the register can be trusted. The ECCTA therefore gives the Registrar a wider role in protecting the integrity of the register. Companies House has described the reforms as a significant change to the way the register operates. Its enhanced powers are intended to improve confidence in company information while helping to prevent companies from being used for unlawful purposes.

What Can Companies House Do Under Its New Powers?

Companies House can query information

One of the most important changes is the Registrar’s ability to query information submitted to Companies House or information already held on the register. If there are reasonable grounds to question information, Companies House can request further information or evidence to establish whether it is appropriate for the register. This means a company should not assume that a filing will simply be accepted because it has been submitted correctly through the filing system. Companies House now has a more active role in assessing information where concerns arise.

Companies House can reject certain information

The Registrar has powers to reject information where the relevant legal requirements have not been satisfied. Businesses therefore need to take greater care when preparing company filings. Incorrect information can create additional work if Companies House raises a query or refuses to accept a filing.

Companies House can remove information

The reforms also give Companies House greater ability to remove information from the register in appropriate circumstances. This is important where information may create a false or misleading impression or where the Registrar has grounds to believe that information should not remain on the register. Companies House has already been using its enhanced powers to address inaccurate and misleading information on the register.

Companies House can investigate suspicious information

The Registrar now has a stronger investigative role. Companies House can use its powers to examine information and, where necessary, request evidence to establish whether the information meets the relevant requirements. This is part of a wider effort to identify and disrupt the misuse of corporate structures.

Companies House can work with other authorities

The ECCTA also supports greater information sharing between Companies House and relevant public bodies. Companies House has reported increased collaboration with organisations including HMRC and the Insolvency Service to help identify and address economic crime and improve the reliability of information held on the register.

What Is the Companies House ECCTA?

The Companies House ECCTA refers to the changes introduced through the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The Act received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023 and introduced a wide range of reforms affecting Companies House and UK company law. These reforms include:

• New statutory objectives for the Registrar.
• Enhanced powers to query and reject information.
• Greater powers to remove information from the register.
• Mandatory identity verification.
• New requirements affecting company directors and PSCs.
• Changes affecting agents that file information on behalf of companies.
• Further reforms to company accounts filing.
• Additional measures to improve transparency and tackle economic crime.

The reforms are not being introduced all at once. Different parts of the ECCTA are coming into effect at different times.

Companies House Identity Verification: What Has Changed?

Identity verification is now a legal requirement for company directors and people with significant control. The mandatory identity verification regime began on 18 November 2025. Existing directors and PSCs are being brought into the system during a 12-month transition period. The purpose is to provide greater confidence that the people shown as setting up, running, owning or controlling companies are who they claim to be.

Who needs to verify their identity?

The current identity verification regime applies to individuals including:

• Company directors.
• People with significant control (PSCs).
• Equivalent officers of other entities within scope.
• New directors being appointed.
• Individuals becoming PSCs.

Identity verification will also apply to people presenting information to Companies House as part of a later phase of the reforms.

How can you verify your identity?

There are two main routes available.

Verify directly through Companies House

You can verify your identity directly through the Companies House service using GOV.UK One Login and the relevant verification process. Companies House also provides a Post Office route for people who need to complete verification using that method.

Use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider

You can also ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify your identity. An ACSP can be a professional such as an accountant or solicitor that is registered with Companies House and supervised for anti-money laundering purposes. You do not have to use an ACSP simply because identity verification is mandatory. Direct verification through Companies House remains available.

What Is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider?

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider, commonly called an ACSP, is an agent that has registered with Companies House to carry out certain services for clients. ACSPs can include accountants, solicitors and other professional service providers that meet the applicable requirements. For identity verification, an ACSP checks the individual’s identity and tells Companies House that the verification has been completed. Companies House then issues the individual with a personal code that can be used to connect the verified identity to the relevant Companies House records.

Does an accountant have to be an ACSP?

No. An accountant does not automatically become an ACSP simply because they prepare accounts or submit tax returns. An accountant or other professional must register with Companies House as an ACSP and meet the relevant requirements if they want to provide services that require ACSP status. Businesses using an accountant for Companies House work should therefore establish what services the accountant is authorised to provide under the new framework.

What Are the New Companies House Requirements for Directors?

The new requirements mean directors need to pay closer attention to their Companies House obligations. For existing companies, directors must complete identity verification within the applicable transition period and provide their personal code as required through the company’s confirmation statement process. For new incorporations and appointments, identity verification requirements apply as part of the new company registration and appointment processes. Directors should also make sure that the information held on the register remains accurate.

What should directors check?

• Whether their identity verification has been completed.
• Whether they have received their Companies House personal code.
• Whether their name and other company information are correct.
• Whether the company’s PSC information is accurate.
• Whether the registered office address is appropriate.
• Whether confirmation statements are submitted on time.
• Whether other company filings contain accurate information.

Companies House Changes 2027: What Is Expected?

Some of the most important Companies House changes 2027 concern people who present information to Companies House and professional agents that file on behalf of companies. The current Companies House transition plan states that these measures are expected no earlier than November 2027.

Presenter identity verification

Companies House is expected to make identity verification of presenters a compulsory part of filing documents. A presenter is someone who delivers information or documents to Companies House. This is a later phase of identity verification and should not be confused with the current mandatory identity verification requirements for directors and PSCs.

Third-party agents will need ACSP status

Companies House is also expected to require third-party agents filing on behalf of companies to be registered as ACSPs. The current transition plan states that these measures will come into effect no earlier than November 2027, and Companies House will provide at least six months’ notice before implementation. This means accountants, company formation agents and other professional filing providers should monitor the Companies House updates as the implementation date approaches.

Are the Companies House Accounts Changes Happening in 2027?

No. The major accounts filing reforms have been moved from April 2027 to April 2028. This is an important update because earlier Companies House plans referred to April 2027 for some accounts reforms. The current timetable states that the accounts reforms will come into effect from April 2028.

What will change for company accounts?

The reforms will require companies to move towards software-based filing and will change the information that different types of companies need to submit. The planned reforms include:

• Companies filing annual accounts using commercial software.
• Changes to the accounts information required from small companies and micro-entities.
• Removal of the option to file abridged accounts.
• Changes to audit exemption statements.
• Changes to how accounts and related reports are filed.

Companies should therefore begin considering how their accounting and filing processes will work under the new system rather than waiting until the implementation date.

What Do the Companies House Updates Mean for Small Businesses?

The reforms are not limited to large companies or businesses suspected of wrongdoing. Ordinary small companies can be affected by the changes because the requirements apply to areas such as director identity verification, PSC information, company filings and future accounts filing. For a small company, the practical impact may include:

• Directors needing to complete identity verification.
• PSCs needing to complete identity verification.
• Greater scrutiny of information submitted to Companies House.
• Greater responsibility for maintaining accurate company records.
• Changes to how professional agents submit information.
• New software requirements for accounts filing from April 2028.

The important point is that Companies House compliance is becoming an ongoing responsibility rather than something that only needs attention when annual accounts are due.

What Happens If Companies House Queries Your Information?

If Companies House raises a query, the company or relevant individual should review the issue carefully and provide the information or evidence requested where legally required. The Registrar’s enhanced powers mean that businesses may need to provide supporting evidence where Companies House has concerns about information submitted to the register. A query does not necessarily mean that a company has committed an offence. It may simply mean that Companies House needs further information to establish whether the filing or information is correct. However, ignoring a legitimate Companies House request can create additional compliance problems.

Can Companies House Remove Information From the Register?

Yes. The ECCTA expanded the Registrar’s ability to remove certain information from the register. This can be relevant where information is inaccurate, misleading or otherwise falls within the circumstances covered by the Registrar’s powers. Companies House has already used its enhanced powers to remove misleading information and address problems involving company records. This is part of the wider objective of maintaining a register that businesses, investors, lenders, regulators and the public can rely on.

Can Companies House Reject a Filing?

Yes. Companies House has enhanced powers to decline information where the relevant requirements have not been met. This makes it increasingly important to check filings before submission. A business should not assume that a filing is acceptable simply because it has been completed through an online form. The underlying information must still meet the relevant legal requirements.

What Happens If a Company Does Not Comply?

The consequences depend on the specific requirement and the circumstances of the non-compliance. Companies House has powers to use financial penalties and other enforcement measures for relevant breaches. Some failures can also constitute criminal offences. For identity verification specifically, Companies House has stated that failure to comply with mandatory requirements can result in enforcement action, including financial penalties or prosecution in applicable circumstances. Directors and PSCs should therefore deal with identity verification requirements within the relevant timeframe rather than waiting until Companies House takes action.

What Should Your Business Do Now?

The practical response to the new Companies House requirements is to review your company’s information and filing arrangements now.

1. Check director identity verification

Confirm whether each director has completed the required identity verification and obtained their Companies House personal code.

2. Check your PSC information

Review the company’s PSC information and make sure the individuals recorded on the register are correct.

3. Review the registered office address

Make sure the company has an appropriate registered office address and that correspondence sent there can be received appropriately.

4. Check your Companies House information

Review the company’s registered details, directors, PSC information and other information held on the public register.

5. Review your filing process

If an accountant or another professional submits filings for your company, establish what services they currently provide and how they are preparing for the future ACSP requirements.

6. Prepare for software-based accounts filing

Although the major accounts reforms are not currently scheduled until April 2028, companies should consider whether their existing accounting and filing systems will be suitable for the new requirements.

Companies House Powers: Key Dates

Date	What is happening
4 March 2024	Companies House’s enhanced Registrar powers under the ECCTA began to take effect.
18 November 2025	Mandatory identity verification began for directors and PSCs, with existing individuals moving through a transition period.
2026	Companies House continues the identity verification transition and enforcement of the new framework.
No earlier than November 2027	Presenter identity verification and compulsory ACSP registration for third-party filing agents are expected to be introduced, subject to the implementation timetable.
April 2028	Major accounts filing reforms are scheduled to come into effect, including software-based filing of annual accounts.

Companies House has stated that at least six months’ notice will be provided before the presenter and third-party agent requirements come into force. Businesses should therefore check the latest official guidance before relying on an indicative future date.

Final Thoughts on the New Companies House Requirements

The ECCTA has fundamentally changed the role of Companies House. The Registrar now has stronger Companies House powers to improve the accuracy of the register, investigate questionable information and take action where the legal requirements are not met. For businesses, the most immediate change is mandatory identity verification for directors and PSCs. The next stages will introduce further requirements for presenters and third-party filing agents, with these measures currently expected no earlier than November 2027. The accounts filing reforms are also important, but the current timetable is April 2028 rather than April 2027. The safest approach is therefore to keep company information accurate, complete identity verification when required, respond properly to Companies House queries and review your filing arrangements before the next stage of the reforms takes effect. For the latest official requirements, businesses should always check the relevant Companies House ECCTA transition plan and Companies House identity verification guidance.