How 2025 Companies House Changes Impact Compliance

Many company secretaries are feeling the pressure as the Companies House reforms approach. Mandatory identity verification for directors and PSCs, software-only filing requirements, fuller shareholder disclosures, and stronger enforcement powers all arrive at a time when compliance functions are already stretched. A recent survey found that only 3% of SMEs feel fully prepared for the changes, highlighting the scale of uncertainty.

While initially the reforms might seem onerous, they present an opportunity to strengthen governance, improve data accuracy, and modernise internal processes. When approached proactively, the Companies House reforms 2025 can help companies build trust and reduce long-term compliance risk. 

As Jerri-Lea Brown, Founder of Sage Governance, explains: “The reforms are not designed to punish businesses, but to professionalise them. Company secretaries who put the right systems in place will be well-positioned to lead compliance confidently.”

Understanding what is changing, what actions are required, and how to prepare is now essential for company secretary compliance UK.

Overview of Companies House Reforms 2025

Companies House reforms 2025 introduce new responsibilities for company secretaries, including mandatory identity verification for directors and PSCs, more detailed and accurate filings, and closer monitoring of Companies House queries. Secretaries must ensure filings are complete, submitted on time, and supported by stronger internal controls to avoid fines, rejections, or compliance breaches.

Driven primarily by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), the purpose of the reforms is clear: increase transparency, improve the reliability of company data, and reduce opportunities for fraud. Key milestones include the suppression of residential addresses from January 2025 and expanded data access and validation powers by summer.

These Companies House updates 2025 place a stronger emphasis on accurate Companies House reporting, corporate transparency regulations and better validation of information submitted to the register. As Jerri-Lea Brown notes: “Company secretaries must now move from reactive filing to proactive governance oversight if they are to stay ahead of Companies House obligations for secretaries and avoid costly compliance gaps.”

Understanding the Economic Crime Act Changes

Along with additional corporate compliance requirements, one of the most significant changes by the ECCTA is the new corporate criminal offence of failing to prevent fraud. This increases director obligations UK-wide and places a duty on organisations to demonstrate active fraud prevention measures.

Hannah von Dadelszen, Chief Crown Prosecutor for economic crime at the CPS, emphasises the shift in expectations: “Preventing fraud is essential to protecting the public and our economy. The public are entitled to have confidence that companies will be held to account for wrongdoing. Large companies, charities, and other organisations need to act now to make sure they have proper fraud prevention systems in place.”

This reinforces the need for company secretary duties 2025 to extend beyond annual filings, with compliance updates for secretaries becoming part of daily governance practices.

Identity Verification Requirements Explained

The Companies House identity verification framework becomes mandatory for all new directors and PSCs from 18 November 2025. Existing individuals must complete the process within a 12-month transition period. This applies to UK and overseas individuals and forms part of the identity verification rules for directors.

Verification can be completed digitally via GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). The process includes uploading approved ID, completing a live facial check, and linking the verified identity to the individual’s company roles. Those registering a business as an ACSP create a digital profile, receive a unique identity number, and can add authorised team members to administer verification checks.

Failure to complete Companies House identity verification may lead to rejected submissions, financial penalties, or disqualification. Monitoring verification status is now an essential part of the company compliance checklist UK.

Practical Steps to Ensure Compliance

The 2025 reforms require company secretaries to prepare on two fronts: identity verification and broader governance readiness. The combined steps below provide a clear roadmap.

A. Preparing for Identity Verification

Identity verification is one of the most significant changes under the Companies House reforms 2025. Company secretaries should take the following actions to prepare:

Map individuals who must verifyIdentify all directors, PSCs, LLP members, and individuals who file on behalf of the company.

Check key deadlinesAlign verification windows with confirmation statement timelines to avoid last-minute delays.

Ensure personal data accuracyConfirm PSC birth dates, full names, and roles are correct so verification deadlines can be calculated correctly.

Gather ID documents earlyRequest approved documents well ahead of time, particularly for overseas officers or those with older IDs.

Choose appropriate verification routesAssess whether each individual will use GOV.UK One Login, in-person verification, or an ACSP.

Encourage early voluntary verificationCompleting verification before November avoids bottlenecks and reduces risk of failed submissions.

Create secure storage processesEnsure verification codes and identity numbers are stored safely within the secretarial team.

Update internal policiesReflect new verification, appointment, and PSC requirements in governance frameworks.

Review statutory registersPrepare for changes to company registers 2025 and transition away from reliance on the central register where applicable.

Monitor further phases of reformTrack Companies House registration changes relating to corporate directors and future identity verification extensions.

B. Strengthening Broader Compliance Processes

Beyond identity verification, organisations should review their wider governance and filing systems to align with new Corporate Transparency Act guidance.

Develop a structured verification workflowIntegrate identity checks into onboarding for directors, PSCs and LLP members.

Audit internal dataEnsure internal records match Companies House reporting requirements and identify gaps early.

Update governance frameworksIncorporate fraud prevention measures, reporting standards and escalation procedures informed by the ECCTA.

Assess digital filing readinessPrepare for Companies House online filing and ensure software-only account submission is achievable.

Educate directors and senior leadersHelp them understand their directors compliance duties under the new regime.

Strengthen data controlsIntroduce regular data audits and internal reviews to maintain accuracy and reduce compliance risk.

These combined steps reinforce corporate governance updates 2025 and ensure companies transition smoothly into the new model and reduce exposure to penalties.

New Filing Obligations for Company Secretaries

Companies House filing obligations 2025 introduce more significant data requirements. Companies will no longer keep certain statutory registers solely for public disclosure because this information must now be filed directly with Companies House. This includes registers of directors, secretaries, and PSCs.

Company reporting obligations will expand to include full shareholder lists, clearer PSC information, and more consistent personal details. Meeting Companies House filing deadlines becomes increasingly important under the strengthened enforcement framework.

These changes reinforce corporate transparency compliance and position company secretarial duties UK as a central part of governance assurance and audit preparation.

Implications for Businesses and Directors

The ECCTA's impact on companies is considerable. Increased oversight will require stronger internal processes, better record keeping, and more disciplined governance. Organisations should expect additional administrative work, closer scrutiny of filings, and a greater emphasis on demonstrating compliance.

While the new requirements may initially feel like added administrative burden, they also create an opportunity to strengthen governance, improve data quality, and reduce long-term compliance risk. Better quality data, verified ownership information, and stronger governance frameworks build confidence with investors, regulators, and stakeholders.

As Jerri-Lea Brown notes: “Good governance is not only about avoiding penalties. These reforms give companies an opportunity to show integrity, maturity, and accountability in how they operate.”

Company secretaries are central to managing this transition. For organisations without internal capacity, external support can make the process far smoother. Sage Governance works with businesses to ensure a structured, compliant, and efficient transition to the 2025 framework.

Companies House Compliance Checklist 2025

A practical reference for secretaries preparing for the reforms.

Identity Verification

	Ensure all directors, PSCs and LLP members complete verification
	Securely store identity numbers and verification codes

Confirmation Statement

	Review shareholder, PSC and SIC information before submission
	File annually and on time

Annual Accounts

	Prepare and file accounts digitally
	Include profit and loss details where required

PSC Register

Keep PSC information current and consistent

Filing Deadlines

Track accounts and confirmation statement deadlines centrally

Statutory Registers 

Update registers of members, directors, secretaries and charges

Company Changes

File updates promptly to avoid discrepancies

Dormant Companies

Submit simplified accounts and confirmation statements where relevant

FAQs

Do company secretaries also need identity verification?

No, but they must track compliance for directors and PSCs as part of their company secretary responsibilities.

What happens if identity verification is late?

Companies risk rejected filings, Companies House refusal to act and potential action against directors.

Can directors be disqualified for not meeting the new requirements?

Yes. If directors fail to complete identity verification or repeatedly submit inaccurate or late filings, Companies House may reject submissions, impose penalties or begin disqualification proceedings. The reforms give Companies House stronger enforcement powers, so directors must ensure they meet their obligations.