Fighting Crime at Companies House

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act on 4 March 2024

The act gives Companies House the power to play a more significant role in tackling economic crime and supporting economic growth. Over time, the measures will lead to improved transparency and more accurate and trusted information on our registers.  

There are new responsibilities for: 

• all new and existing company directors 

• people with significant control of a company (PSCs) 

• anyone who files on behalf of a company 

Changes at Companies House

Over time, the measures will lead to improved transparency and more accurate and trusted information on the registers. During Covid it became increasingly apparent something needed to be done.

The measures include: 

• introducing identity verification for all new and existing registered company directors, people with significant control (PSCs), and those who file on behalf of companies  

• broadening our powers to become a more active gatekeeper over company creation and more reliable data 

• more reliable and accurate financial information on the register, which reflects the latest advancements in digital technology and enables better business decisions 

• providing Companies House with more effective enforcement powers, and increasing our ability to share relevant information with partners 

• enhancing the protection of personal information to protect individuals from fraud and other harms 

Changes to Accounts
Software-only filing supports the goal of a fully digital filing service and helps to meet our organisational priority to prevent economic crime and bring the UK in line with international best practice.  

The new legislation lays the foundation for Companies House to require companies to file accounts in a digital format. To comply with these changes, all companies will need to find suitable software before web-based and paper filing options are no longer available.  
  

Identity Verification

From autumn 2025, all new directors and people with significant control (PSCs) will need to complete identity verification.  

Identity verification will also apply to other registration types. For example, any members of a limited liability partnership (LLP) will also need to verify their identity. 

For existing companies, all directors (or equivalent) and PSCs will have a 12-month transition period to verify their identity with Companies House.  The transition period will start from autumn 2025. 

From spring 2026, anyone acting on behalf of a company will also need to verify their identity before they can file information with us. 

Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) who are individuals or organisations that undertake anti-money laundering (AML) supervised activity will be able to do verifications, such as:  

• company formation agents  

• solicitors  

• accountants 

• chartered secretaries and governance professionals