Companies House Changes: What You Need To Know

Upcoming Changes to Companies House Under the Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act 2023

The Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduced significant reforms to Companies House procedures, aimed at increasing corporate transparency and tackling financial crime. These changes will impact business owners, directors, and professional service providers, with phased implementation beginning February 2025.

Changes for Accountancy and Solicitors firms 

25 February 2025: Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSP) Registration

Third-party providers, including solicitors, accountants, and company formation agents, must register with Companies House as an ACSP if they plan to register companies, file documents or conduct identity verification checks on behalf of clients. These requirements include:

• A Senior Officer of the firm (e.g. a director) must complete registration and ID verification
• ACSPs will receive a digital account and unique ID, allowing them to file documents and complete ID verification for clients
• Once registered and approved as ACSP, the registered Senior Officer can then add employees/officers of the firm to enable them to access services, carry out ID verification checks and file on behalf of clients at Companies House. These employees do not need to be ID verified
• Ongoing duty to keep business information updated

What this change means in practice

Ordinarily when a firm takes on a new client company it would do ID checks against the major shareholders. Under these new changes, if for example the work involves creating a new company (as it would for a trustee company for an employee ownership trust), ID checks will also now be required against the proposed new directors of that company.

Changes for individual company directors

25 March 2025: Voluntary ID Verification Opens

Individuals involved in UK companies can voluntarily verify their ID, including:

• Directors
• Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)
• Individuals filing at Companies House

Autumn 2025: Compulsory ID Verification – existing and new directors

A 12-month grace period will be introduced for the following existing individuals/entities, who must confirm their ID during that period:

• Directors
• Individual Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)
• Relevant Legal Entities PSCs

An immediate compulsory requirement will also be introduced for any new individuals/entities listed above.

What this change means in practice

We would recommend that all directors of companies start the verification process as soon as possible after March 2025. This will ease the administration of future filings at Companies House.

Spring 2026: Mandatory ID Verification for filing documents

Any person other than a registered ACSP who wishes to file documents at Companies House must complete ID verification immediately.

Failure to complete any of the required steps for ID verification may result in enforcement action from Autumn 2026 onwards.

What this means for you

These reforms represent a significant shift in corporate compliance requirements. Business owners, directors, and professional advisors should take steps now to understand and prepare for these changes.

For expert guidance on how these reforms impact your business, contact us for tailored advice and support.