You may have already received a letter or email from Companies House about the major changes that are coming soon.
From 18 November 2025, Companies House will be introducing a number of new rules that apply to all UK companies and LLPs. These updates form part of the Government’s Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, a key step towards making the UK business environment more transparent and secure.
At Accounting People Ltd, we know that new regulations can often feel complex or time-consuming. The good news is that we’ll handle the process for you. Our team will be in touch with clear instructions on what’s required and when, ensuring that you remain fully compliant without the stress.
In this article, we’ll explain:
- What’s changing at Companies House
- Why these changes are being introduced
- What you’ll need to do (and when)
- How Accounting People Ltd will help you through the process
What’s Changing?
From 18 November 2025, Companies House will require all company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) to have their identity verified before any company filings can be made.
This means:
- Every director must verify their identity and be linked to the company they represent.
- Every PSC, that is, anyone who owns or controls more than 25% of the company or holds significant voting rights, must also be registered and verified.
Without identity verification, Companies House will not accept any filings, including:
- Annual accounts
- Confirmation statements
- Updates to company details
Why Are These Changes Happening?
These new measures are designed to tackle fraud, money laundering, and the misuse of UK companies. For many years, it has been too easy to submit inaccurate information to Companies House, with limited checks on who is actually behind a business.
The government’s aim is to:
- Increase transparency – so it’s clear who really owns and controls UK companies.
- Improve accuracy – ensuring the public record is reliable and trustworthy.
- Enhance security – to prevent companies from being hijacked or used improperly.
In simple terms, the message is: “If you’re running a company in the UK, Companies House needs to know who you are.”
What This Means for You
For directors and shareholders, this means that before we can file your company’s accounts, confirmation statement, or any other statutory document, all directors and PSCs must have verified their identities with Companies House.
The verification is a one-off process. Once you’re verified, you won’t need to repeat it.
The timing is important, verification must be completed before your first filing deadline after 18 November 2025.
Example: How the Timing Works
Let’s take an example:
If your company’s financial year ends on 31 August 2025, your accounts will be due in May 2026. However, your confirmation statement might be due in March 2026.
In this case, the confirmation statement comes first, which means all directors and PSCs must complete their identity verification by March 2026.
If not, Companies House will reject the filing, and your company could fall into non-compliance.
In short: your earliest filing date after 18 November 2025 determines your deadline for completing the verification.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
If directors or PSCs haven’t verified their identities in time, Companies House will refuse to accept any filings, including accounts and confirmation statements.
This could lead to:
- Late filing penalties for company accounts
- Criminal offences for failing to submit confirmation statements
- The risk of the company being struck off the register
- Reputational damage, as this information is publicly visible
That’s why it’s essential to act promptly once the verification process begins.
How Accounting People Ltd Will Manage the Process
We understand that our clients have businesses to run, not paperwork to worry about. That’s why we’ll take care of this transition for you, from start to finish.
Here’s what we’re doing:
- Planning ahead: We’re already mapping out all client filing deadlines that fall after 18 November 2025.
- Prioritising: We’ll contact clients in the right order, starting with those whose filings are due soonest.
- Guidance: You’ll receive clear, step-by-step instructions on how to verify your identity.
- Support: Our team will be available to help if you experience any difficulties.
- Monitoring: We’ll keep track of verification progress to ensure nothing is missed.
By the time your company’s filing deadline arrives, everything will already be in place.
What You Need to Do Now
We have already in touch with our clients to help them with this transition. If you are not our client, you can call us directly on our numbers or complete the form for a call back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every director and PSC need to complete verification?
Yes, this applies to every individual director and PSC. It cannot be completed collectively or by proxy.
Does this include dormant companies?
Yes. Even dormant companies must submit annual filings, so their directors and PSCs must also be verified.
What if the PSC is another company?
Where a PSC is a corporate entity, the directors of that company may also need to complete verification. We’ll confirm the process for you if this applies.
How long does verification take?
Companies House has confirmed that the process should be straightforward, provided valid ID documents are available.
Can Accounting People Ltd complete verification on my behalf?
Yes. We will handle this for you if asked.
In Summary
From 18 November 2025, Companies House will require all directors and PSCs to verify their identities before any filings can be submitted. This forms part of the government’s efforts to improve transparency and reduce financial crime.
The deadline for verification will depend on your first filing date after 18 November 2025, whether that’s your confirmation statement or annual accounts.
You don’t need to do anything yet, we’ll contact you in advance with clear instructions and ongoing support.
At Accounting People Ltd, we believe your focus should remain on running your business, not navigating new compliance rules. We’ll take care of the details, so you stay compliant with confidence.
If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact our team. Otherwise, keep an eye out for our guidance closer to the time.
