Important Changes to Companies House: What Companies Need to Know
Posted on in Company & Commercial
In a bid to increase trust and accuracy in the Companies House register, a number of reforms came into force at the end of last year. These changes mark a major shift in how company information is recorded, verified and maintained at Companies House, and company officers should ensure they understand the new requirements to remain compliant and avoid potential penalties.
Changes to Company Register
As of 18 November 2025, companies are no longer required to maintain certain company registers, including:
- Directors (or the equivalent of directors);
- Directors’ residential addresses;
- Secretaries; and
- People with Significant Control (PSCs).
Companies will still need to keep this information up to date. However, instead of preparing and updating their own registers, officers will now have to file the relevant information directly with Companies House. This shifts the administrative burden from internal record‑keeping to timely statutory filings (which is arguably more onerous on the company).
Companies are also still required by law to maintain a register of their members (shareholders), with potential sanctions for non-compliance. It will also no longer be possible for private companies to store their register of members on a central register at Companies House.
By way of reminder, a register of members must include:
- the name and address of each member;
- the date on which each person was registered as a member;
- the date at which any person ceased to be a member;
- the number and class of shares held by each member; and
- the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid for the member's share(s).
New Mandatory Identity Verification
These changes coincide with the introduction of a new mandatory identity verification system, designed to strengthen the integrity of the Companies House register, and realise the Government’s vision of implementing a modern, digital service.
Directors, PSCs and members of a limited liability partnership (LLP) are now required to verify their identity and confirm to Companies House that they have done so.
As it stands, this requirement does not extend to other company officers, but the Government has confirmed that verification will later apply to other key officers, including those who file at Companies House.
How to Verify Your Identity?
There are two ways for individuals to verify their identity:
- directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login; or
- through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Companies House has published detailed guidance on the verification process, outlining the steps individuals must take to comply. You can access the official guidance here: Verifying your identity for Companies House - GOV.UK
Once successfully verified, a unique identifier known as a Companies House Personal Code will be issued, which will then be required for various actions, such as filing confirmation statements or appointing directors.
Next Steps
You should first make sure that all information held at Companies House about your company’s directors and PSCs is correct. This includes their full name, date of birth and correspondence address. If changes need to be made, prepare and file the relevant forms, using the GOV.UK One Login service.
Identity verification checks will also need to be completed – if you have not done so already. Companies House has confirmed that they will be phasing the new verification checks over the next 12 months and will be contacting companies directly with guidance. Monitoring communications from Companies House will therefore be key to ensure you do not miss your deadline!
That said, if you are eager to complete the checks and/or need to ensure all of the information is up to date in anticipation of an upcoming merger or acquisition, directors and PSCs can verify their identity before the relevant deadline using the Verify your identity for Companies House service.
Please note that Tozers does not act as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), but there are plenty of organisations that do offer this service.