Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023: ID verification and register changes explained

On 18 November 2025, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Commencement No. 6 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2025 implemented key reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA 2023). 

This article outlines the reforms, who it will affect, and highlights guidance available for businesses.

What are the changes and who will they affect?

Identity verification with Companies House is now mandatory for: 

• All new directors.
• LLP members.
• Individuals that are the equivalent of a director including members, general partners and managing officers.
• A director of an overseas company registered in the UK.
• Authorised corporate service provider (ACSP), also known as a 'Companies House authorised agent'. 
• Someone who files for a company, for example a company secretary; and
• People with significant control (PSCs). 

Transition periods have also begun for existing directors, LLP members, PSCs, and others to complete verification.

Companies House are introducing identity verification at a later date for:

• People who file at Companies House
• Limited partnerships
• Corporate directors of companies
• Corporate members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
• Officers of corporate PSCs

Additionally, companies will no longer be required to maintain their own registers of directors, directors’ residential addresses, secretaries, and PSCs. Companies must still register this information with Companies House and keep it up to date. Companies no longer need to provide a business occupation for company directors (or equivalent) when they register their appointment with Companies House.

By law, companies must still hold a register of shareholders (members) either at the company’s registered office address, or single alternative inspection location (SAIL).

The option for private companies to use the central register to hold certain information has also been removed.

Guidance available

Companies House has provided some helpful guidance on verification of identity including who needs to verify, when, how and the consequences of not verifying - click here to read.

Further information from Ashfords on ECCTA 2023 is available below:

• Identity verification and the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023: how can organisations remain compliant?
• Key regulatory and compliance updates for UK businesses this autumn
• Companies House reform under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 - guidance for businesses

For further information, please contact our corporate team.