Companies House has kicked off the new year with a reminder that some important changes are coming in under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency (ECCT) Act 2023.
If you run a UK company, you’ll likely receive emails like this going forward and while the wording can feel a bit “official”, the practical impact is fairly simple once broken down.
Here’s our Lawbox guide to what’s changing, why it matters, and how to stay compliant without stress.
1) Companies House fees are increasing from 1 February 2026
Companies House has confirmed that some filing fees will change from 1 February 2026.
What this means in practice
- If you regularly file changes at Companies House (for example, confirmations statements, director changes, registered office changes, share updates etc.), you may see higher costs.
- This is likely to affect businesses that make frequent changes during the year (e.g. startups raising investment, growing teams, issuing shares, restructuring).
Why Companies House is doing this
Companies House says the fees help fund:
- core services (incorporations and the public register), and
- new powers to challenge, query and remove false or misleading information.
What you should do now
If you have planned company changes coming up, it may be worth planning ahead so you’re not caught off guard by increased costs in 2026.
2) Identity verification is now required for directors and PSCs
This is one of the biggest practical shifts.
Companies House confirms that UK company law now requires:
- all directors, and
- people with significant control (PSCs)
to verify their identity.
What this means in practice
- If you are a director or PSC and haven’t verified yet, you’ll need to do so.
- The process is designed to be quick and secure and usually takes minutes.
- The purpose is to reduce fraud, especially cases where people are appointed as directors without their knowledge.
Important extra point: director + PSC = link both roles
If you are both a director and a PSC (which is very common in owner-managed companies), Companies House says you must link your verified identity to each role you hold.
That means:
- verifying once isn’t always the end of it; you may need to connect your verification to each company/role.
What you should do now
Make sure each director and PSC has:
- completed identity verification (if needed), and
- linked their verified identity to each role/company they hold.
If you’re unsure whether someone counts as a PSC, Lawbox can help confirm it quickly (it’s not always obvious).
3) Every company must have a “registered email address” (and you can’t unsubscribe)
Companies House reminds companies that since 4 March 2024, every UK company must provide a registered email address.
This email address:
- does not appear on the public register, but
- is used for legal compliance communications, and
- cannot be unsubscribed from (because it’s a legal requirement).
What this means in practice
Companies House will continue sending compliance updates and reminders to that address and directors are expected to actually see and read them.
This is particularly relevant where:
- the registered email is set to a staff member who has left,
- it’s an inbox no one checks,
- it’s a generic address that gets spammed with noise, or
- it’s your accountant/agent’s email and messages don’t reach the directors promptly.
What you should do now
Check that your registered email address is:
- monitored,
- accessible to the directors, and
- something you’ll still control long-term.
If it isn’t, update it online (Companies House provides a direct update link in the email).
4) Why these changes matter (the bigger picture)
These updates are part of a wider push to make Companies House:
- a more active gatekeeper of company information, rather than
- a passive register that simply publishes what it’s given.
In plain terms: Companies House is moving toward a system where companies and their controllers will be easier to verify and harder to misuse for fraud.
Lawbox’s practical checklist (5 minutes)
Here’s a simple checklist you can action today:
Step 1: Confirm who your directors and PSCs are
Make sure your Companies House records match reality.
Step 2: Identity verification
- Have all directors verified their identity?
- Have all PSCs verified their identity?
- If someone is both: have they linked their verification to both roles?
Step 3: Check your registered email address
- Is it correct?
- Can the directors access it?
- Is it still monitored?
Step 4: Budget for fee changes in 2026
If you anticipate filings in early 2026, factor in that some costs will rise.