Reactive (response to change)

ECCTA Commencement No. 7: expanded Companies House powers and identity verification

The seventh commencement order under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 took effect on 26 January 2026, expanding identity verification duties to authorised corporate service providers and broadening Companies House powers to query, refuse, or remove filings. New civil penalties of up to £10,000 and criminal offences apply for false or misleading filings.

Change event: ECCTA Commencement No. 7 expands Companies House powers from 26 January 2026 Effective 26 January 2026

What has changed

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Commencement No. 7) Regulations 2026 brought further ECCTA provisions into force on 26 January 2026. This is the seventh in a series of commencement orders that are progressively implementing the Act's reforms to the companies register and corporate transparency framework.

This order builds on the identity verification framework that began with the initial rollout in November 2025 and sits alongside the accounts-filing reforms expected in spring 2026. Together, these changes represent a fundamental shift in how Companies House operates — from a passive register that accepted filings at face value to an active gatekeeper with powers to challenge and reject information.

In force from
26 January 2026
Legislation
Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Commencement No. 7) Regulations 2026
Maximum civil penalty
£10,000
Criminal liability
Potential imprisonment for serious cases
Registrar
Companies House

Expanded identity verification

The commencement order extends identity verification duties beyond the categories covered in the November 2025 rollout. Authorised corporate service providers (ACSPs) — including company formation agents, accountants, and solicitors who file on behalf of clients — must now verify the identity of the individuals they act for.

The categories of persons who must verify their identity have also been broadened. If you are a company director, a person with significant control (PSC), or someone who files documents at Companies House, check whether you or your agents need to complete identity verification under the expanded requirements.

Companies House query and removal powers

Companies House now has expanded powers to query, refuse, or remove filings that appear to be false, misleading, or incomplete. Previously, the Registrar had very limited ability to reject documents — most filings were accepted on face value with only basic administrative checks.

Under the new powers, the Registrar can:

  • refuse to register a document if it appears false or misleading
  • remove information from the register that should not be there
  • annotate the register with warnings where information is disputed or under investigation
  • require companies to resolve inconsistencies in their registered information

If Companies House queries a filing, your company must respond promptly and provide evidence to support the accuracy of the information submitted.

New penalties and criminal offences

The commencement order brings into force civil penalties of up to £10,000 for delivering false or misleading information to the Registrar. For the most serious cases — including deliberate fraud or persistent non-compliance — criminal offences apply, with potential imprisonment.

These penalties apply to anyone who delivers a document to Companies House, not just company directors. If you use a formation agent or accountant to file on your behalf, you remain responsible for the accuracy of the information. Ensure your agents have robust verification procedures in place.

⚠️ Penalties for inaccurate filings

Companies House can now impose civil penalties of up to £10,000 for false or misleading filings. Criminal prosecution — including potential imprisonment — is available for the most serious cases involving deliberate fraud or persistent non-compliance. Directors, PSCs, and filing agents can all be held liable. Review all filings for accuracy before submission.

❗ What you need to do

All companies should take the following steps:

  • Review your registered information — check that your company's details at Companies House are accurate and up to date, including director appointments, PSC entries, and registered office address
  • Verify identity requirements — confirm whether your directors and PSCs have completed identity verification, or need to do so under the expanded categories
  • Check your filing agents — if you use an accountant, solicitor, or formation agent to file at Companies House, confirm they are registered as an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP) and have identity verification procedures in place
  • Improve filing accuracy — review internal controls to ensure all documents submitted to Companies House are complete, accurate, and consistent with previously filed information
  • Respond to queries promptly — if Companies House queries a filing, respond with supporting evidence without delay to avoid penalties

ℹ️ What comes next

Further ECCTA reforms are expected in spring 2026, including changes to accounts-filing requirements. The identity verification framework will continue to expand as additional commencement orders are made. Monitor Companies House communications for updates on implementation timelines and any transitional arrangements.