Companies House Changes

Starting Tuesday 18 November, company directors will be legally required to complete an identity-verification process with Companies House before they can file their next confirmation statement. This change is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, which aims to strengthen oversight of UK companies and combat economic crime.

Directors can verify their identity either through their GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Those choosing the GOV.UK One Login route will need a mobile phone with a functioning camera and a valid form of photo identification, such as a passport or driving licence. The verification process is expected to take roughly 10 minutes, after which each verified individual will receive a personal code that can be used across all companies for which they act as a director.

Companies House has also confirmed that several of its fees will change on 1 February 2026. The digital filing fee for confirmation statements will rise from £34 to £50, the cost of digital incorporation will increase from £50 to £100, and the fee for applying for a digital voluntary strike-off will drop from £33 to £13. A full breakdown of the revised fees is available on the Companies House website.