As we move into 2026, we are reflecting on the Companies House reforms that were introduced in 2025, what actions businesses need to take to remain compliant and what we can expect to see in the future.
Following the introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) 2023, Companies House has introduced reforms to fight economic crime and use their funds to support the aims and objectives that will allow this to happen.
Identity verification
The biggest reform introduced in 2025 was mandatory identity verification for directors and PSCs. Companies House reported that at 31 March 2026, there were 3,753,653 verified appointments.
To be compliant, existing directors and PSCs will need to verify their identity ahead of their company’s next confirmation statement following the mandatory implementation date of November 2025. New directors or PSCs will need to complete this verification for their appointment to be processed at Companies House. For more information, see here.
Companies House service fee changes
Companies House also introduced new fees for their services, representing the second fee change in the same number of years. Although Companies House went eight years without any major changes to their charges before the first introduced in 2024, it is likely that we will see further changes over the next couple of years as Companies House adjust these to ensure that they can achieve their plans, cover the costs for their services and reforms whilst still ensuring a fair price for customers. Therefore, this is not to say that Companies House will always increase prices as we tend to see some prices reduced. 1st Choice Incorporations will report any future Companies House fee changes to customers.
Changes to reporting officer occupations
In November 2025, Companies House also announced that the requirement for company officers to provide a business occupation. This means that individuals can no longer update their existing occupations listed with Companies House and this public information has been removed.
There is no action required by any officers or companies here.
Changes to company registers
Since the end of November 2025, companies are no longer required to hold the following registers:
- Directors or equivalent (such as LLP members)
- Directors’ residential address
- Secretaries
- People with Significant Control (PSCs)
However, this does not remove the requirement to ensure accurate information is held on the officers, their addresses and PSCs. Any updates should still be submitted within 14 days to update the Companies House register.
Companies must still hold a register of shareholders or members. However, as the central register has ceased to hold information, companies must create and maintain a full register at the registered office address or single alternative inspection location (SAIL). If your company has already held its own registers, there is no action required other than continuing to keep these up to date.
Currently, there are no additional reforms set for implementation in 2026. However, the published Companies House business plan for 2026-2027 states that its objectives are:
- Ensure authoritative and transparent data on the registers to support a fair and competitive business environment. This includes identifying and tackling inaccuracies and non-compliance and sharing data with government and law enforcement partners.
- Prevent, detect and disrupt economic crime by acting against those who misuse the register and fail to verify their identities, collaborate with other agencies and improve awareness of new fraud and criminal threats.
- Implement reforms to company law including supporting directors and PSCs with identity verification and extending this requirement.
- Improve customer services by understanding what customers need, simplifying the customer experience and expanding digital services.
- Modernise Companies House’s technology by updating software and improving security and performance, make services more reliable, expand digital support and integrate artificial intelligence responsibly.
What is the impact of these reforms?
The reforms may appear to be another administrative burden however; the impact goes much further than this including:
- Improved transparency on the register
- Increased director accountability for compliance
- Increased credibility of those shown on the register to be compliant
- Deterring fraudsters who have submitted false information
- Removing false or inaccurate information from the register – increasing trust in the register
- Ability for information to be challenged quickly by Companies House and partner organisations
- Reduction in some responsibilities companies had, allowing them to focus on other important areas of governance and compliance
The reforms discussed above represent the most significant updates to Companies House and company law in recent years and this is expected to continue with additional changes in the near future, including the expansion of identity verification requirements (e.g., including those filing on behalf of clients) and software-only accounts filings (2028)
If you need any assistance with complying with the latest Companies House changes, for example, identity verification, please contact our friendly team today for more information from an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). We help with your compliance so you can focus on running your business.
