Companies House continues to implement wide-ranging reforms aimed at improving corporate transparency and tackling economic crime. Key changes include:
✅Identity Verification
From 18 November 2025, ID verification becomes compulsory, and Directors, Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) and Members of Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) will be issued with a personal code by Companies House, once verified. Below is summary of when the personal code must be provided to Companies House.
New
Existing
Directors
Incorporation of a new company.
Appointment to an existing company.
Their company’s next confirmation statement.
PSCs
Within 14 days of being registered as a PSC.
Existing PSCs who are also directors - within 14 days of the relevant company or LLP’s confirmation statement date.
Existing PSCs who are not directors - within the first 14 days starting on the first day of their birth month, from 18 November 2025.
LLP members
Incorporation of a new LLP.
Appointment to an existing LLP.
Their LLPs next confirmation statement.
Verification can be completed by the following means:
through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ASCP); or
in person at a participating Post Office branch.
Please note applicable fees may apply if verifying through an ACSP or the Post Office.
Failure to comply by the relevant deadline will be an offence and individuals may be prevented from acting and filings may be rejected.
Other Key Changes
In addition to the new identity verification requirements, Companies House is also implementing several further changes as part of its ongoing reforms, including:
- Suppression of personal information
Individuals can now apply to suppress certain personal details (such as residential addresses, dates of birth, and signatures) from historical filings.
- Statutory registers
From 18 November 2025, there will no longer be a requirement for companies to maintain registers of:
Directors;
Directors’ Residential Addresses;
Secretaries; and
PSCs.
Companies will still have to register this information with Companies House and keep it up to date, and it is therefore more crucial than ever for companies to ensure that the information they file with Companies House is accurate and up to date.
- Director’s occupation
Directors will no longer need to provide a business occupation (or equivalent) when registering their appointment with Companies House.
- Accounts
From 1 April 2027, there will be a mandatory requirement for digital filing of accounts and therefore all companies will be required to file accounts online using iXBRL tagging (i.e. dedicated software).
✉️ Get in Touch
These changes collectively reflect a significant shift in how UK companies are regulated.
We recommend all clients begin reviewing their filings and processes now to ensure compliance as these changes are phased in.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Chloe Bristow, Head of Company Secretarial or Governance, at [javascript protected email address], or email the team at [javascript protected email address].
The information on this site about legal matters is provided as a general guide only. Although we try to ensure that all of the information on this site is accurate and up to date, this cannot be guaranteed. The information on this site should not be relied upon or construed as constituting legal advice and Howes Percival LLP disclaims liability in relation to its use. You should seek appropriate legal advice before taking or refraining from taking any action.
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