Companies House Transition Plan – January 2025 update

Following the introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), Companies House (as Registrar of companies in the United Kingdom) has been provided with enhanced statutory powers aimed to help reduce economic crime within the UK.

In light of this, in October 2024, Companies House produced a ‘Transition Plan’, outlining its proposals on a projected timeline for its upcoming reforms. On 21 January 2025, the Plan was updated to include expected implementation dates in respect of the following reforms:

• From 25 February 2025, Companies House should be able to:

1. 1. expedite the striking off of companies where the Registrar has concluded the company has been formed on a false basis (i.e. that information provided to the Registrar in an application for registration or restoration of a company is misleading, false or deceptive); and
   2. carry out checks on Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) to authorise them to carry out verification services. ACSPs will need to be registered in the UK and subject to the UK’s anti-money laundering regime. It is intended that, in addition to carrying out identification checks, ACSPs will act as intermediaries who can carry out filings on behalf of companies with Companies House.

• From 25 March 2025, Companies House should be able to allow individuals to voluntarily verify their identity (either through an individual’s GOV.UK One login, or through an ACSP).

It is worth noting that as part of the Plan, by autumn 2025, it is expected that identity verification will become a compulsory part of company incorporations, as well as with the appointment of any new directors and people of significant control. By spring 2026, it is intended that this requirement extends to all those filing a document on behalf of a company.

In addition to the recent updates to the Plan, from 27 January 2025, Companies House still intend to introduce the ability for individuals to apply to suppress a residential address that has been used as a company’s registered address.

To process this, a company’s registered address must firstly be changed to an alternative address, and thereafter, a form SR01 will be required, together with a processing fee of £30.

By summer 2025, it is expected that individuals will be able to apply to Companies House to suppress further personal information, such as their signature, date of birth and occupation.

We will continue to monitor any updates to the Transition Plan and provide more details surrounding upcoming reforms as these become available. If you require any assistance with the upcoming changes, please contact a member of our Corporate Team.