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What Every Director Must Know About Companies House Reforms

Published: 12/01/2026
Written by Curwens Solicitors

 The New Era of Transparency: What Every Director Must Know About Companies House Reforms

 If you are a director or run your own business, you may have received letters or emails from Companies House over the past year explaining that additional identity verification will soon be required to confirm your identity.

These reforms mark a major step toward greater transparency and accountability, aimed at reducing economic crime, fraud, and misuse of UK corporate structures. For directors, they bring new legal responsibilities and increased scrutiny. The central objective is to ensure that the public register contains verified, reliable information about who is actually running and controlling UK companies.

Background: Tackling Corporate Impersonation

Historically, setting up a UK company required minimal identity checks, leaving the register vulnerable to misuse by fraudsters, including the registration of fictitious directors or beneficial owners. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) addressed this by giving the Registrar of Companies statutory objectives to improve data accuracy and prevent unlawful activity.

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Mandatory Identity Verification

From 18 November 2025, identity verification (IDV) will be mandatory for:

  • Directors 
  • People with Significant Control (PSCs) 
  • LLP

Key Points:

  • New directors: Must verify their identity before incorporation or before Companies House accepts their appointment.
  • Existing directors: A 12-month transition period begins on 18 November 2025. Verification must be completed before filing the first confirmation statement after this date.
  • PSCs: Verification is also required, with deadlines depending on whether the PSC is a director and when their details are added to the register.

Verification only needs to be done once, either free via GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Once verified, individuals receive a personal code for all future filings across any company. 

Compliance and Consequences

Failing to complete IDV after the relevant deadlines will constitute non-compliance. Enforcement will be phased and proportionate, but potential consequences include:

  • Offences or civil penalties (to be confirmed in secondary legislation)
  • Publicly marked status as “unverified” (final rules pending)
  • Commercial risks, including increased scrutiny from banks, investors, or partners

In serious or persistent cases, possible director disqualification through the usual legal process

Additional Company Obligations

The reforms also impose new responsibilities on companies themselves:

  • Registered office: Must be a physical address (PO boxes are not permitted, but third-party addresses are acceptable if documents can reliably be delivered).
  • Registered email: Companies must maintain an email address for formal correspondence.
  • Timely filings: Certain updates, including some PSC changes, must be filed within 14 days, though not all officer updates fall under this requirement.

For legal advice on any of the issues discussed, please call our solicitors today on +44 808 175 3879 or complete our online contact form, and we will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

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Action Points for Directors

The government’s message is clear: “Be prepared!” Early compliance will protect directors, safeguard companies, and strengthen the business ecosystem. Recommended steps include:

  • Verify early: Encourage all directors and PSCs to complete IDV promptly.
  • Check accuracy: Review Companies House entries for all directors and PSCs.
  • Plan filings: Identify your next confirmation statement date and complete verification beforehand.
    Confirm addresses: Ensure registered office and email comply with new requirements.

These reforms represent the most significant update to the UK corporate register since 1844, creating a more trusted and transparent environment that benefits consumers and reduces economic crime.

Gerard Le Cain is a solicitor in our Company Commercial Department. He advises on corporate and commercial matters including corporate restructuring, acquisitions, and disposals; commercial contracts and agreements, and the sales, leasing, and (re)finance of corporate and commercial property.

Please note that our briefings are for informational purposes only, and do not constitute legal advice.

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Any data that you submit using this web form will be held by our firm as Data Controller and will be held securely for 12 months before being securely and confidentially destroyed.
Find out more
Your data will not be disclosed to any third parties without your consent or as otherwise allowed by the relevant Data Protection legislation and will only be used for responding to your query (or purposes associated with that purpose).

You have the right to be informed about what data we hold about you along with other rights set out in the legislation. Further information about your rights under the data protection legislation can be found at www.ico.org.uk

Full details can be found here

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