Companies House changes in 2026

Companies House changes in 2026: Higher fees, ID verification and increased powers

Companies House is set to implement large-scale regulatory changes in 2026, including increased fees, mandatory ID verification, and enhanced enforcement powers.

The government’s official registrar of companies is due to be given new powers as part of what has been heralded as the most significant shift in UK company law in more than 100 years.

The changes, brought in by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, will bring in new responsibilities for those running limited companies.

Those in power say the Act will allow Companies House to play a more significant role in tackling economic crime and supporting economic growth, leading to greater transparency and more accurate data.

It will also mean the body will be able to query the information companies provide, and even shut down those which don’t meet its new standards.

In this article, we examine what the changes are, why they are being brought in, and what they will mean for limited companies.

Why are the changes being introduced:

Companies House says the changes it is making will help create a more comprehensive and accurate register of businesses in the UK. The additional fees they come with, it says, are needed to facilitate that change.

Identity verification is being rolled-out to make it harder for bogus operators to create anonymous corporate structures that can be used for fraudulent means, corruption, or criminal activity.

It is hoped this change will also mean people are unable to set up companies or appoint directors using fake or stolen identities, and will ensure disqualified directors are spotted more easily.

Companies House says the increased information required will enable businesses to use that data to carry out due diligence and partner with verified and reputable companies, hence boosting the government's wider economic growth aims.

The changes – and what they will mean:

Final ID verification deadline

From April last year, individuals were able to verify their identity directly with Companies House through the new Gov.UK One Login. This verification process became mandatory on November 18, 2025, sparking a 12-month transition period at the end of which existing directors must have confirmed their identity with Companies House.

The idea is that identity verification will provide more assurance about who is setting up, running, owning and controlling companies in the UK.

Increased and numerous fees

From February 1, a raft of fee increases were introduced. A full list of these new fees can be found on the Companies House website.

Among the most significant fees that have been introduced are:

• Incorporation digital filing fee will change to £100
• Confirmation statement digital filing fee will change to £50
• Voluntary strike off digital filing fee will change to £13 

Requirement for more ownership details

The new rules mean business owners are required to provide a full list of shareholders when filing their confirmation statement. They must also provide the full names of any shareholders in their register of members.

It is hoped these changes will bring increased levels of transparency with them.

Increased powers

Under the changes, Companies House will be able to issue fines up to £10,000, far higher than previously possible. It will also have the power to strike companies off the register itself.

Companies House will also have more power to enforce the new standards, including the capability to examine a business’s filings, investigate potential fraud, and penalise company owners who aren’t meeting its requirements.

The government has removed restrictions so Companies House can make these decisions without needing a court order. And it can now issue much larger fines (up to £10,000), reject your filings, and strike your company off the register itself.

Stricter limited partnerships rules

Limited partnerships will have to use a registered accountant or solicitor to file their accounts in the future. They will also need to complete a yearly confirmation statement and to comply with stricter company address rules that will mean registered office addresses will have to match where partnerships are registered.

This represents a shift from the current low maintenance system, with far more mandatory reporting being required for limited partnerships in the future.

It is anticipated that these changes will be introduced in the first half of 2026. There will then be a six-month transition period during which limited partnerships move to the new system.