2026 marks the most significant transformation of Companies House in over a century. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) has given Companies House new powers and responsibilities—and with them come new requirements for every UK company. Here's what you need to know.
Effective 1 February 2026
New fee structure is now in effect. Company incorporation: £100 (was £50 — doubled). Confirmation statement: £50 (was £34). Budget for higher compliance costs.
New Fee Structure (From 1 February 2026)
Companies House has significantly increased fees to fund its expanded role under ECCTA:
| Service | Old Fee (before 1 Feb 2026) | New Fee (from 1 Feb 2026) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company incorporation (online) | £50 | £100 | +100% |
| Company incorporation (same-day) | £78 | £156 | +100% |
| Company incorporation (paper) | £71 | £124 | +75% |
| Confirmation statement (online) | £34 | £50 | +47% |
| Confirmation statement (paper) | £62 | £110 | +77% |
| Change of name (online) | £8 | £20 | +150% |
| Voluntary strike-off | £33 | £13 | −61% (reduced) |
| Company restoration | £225 | £500 | +122% |
| Standard accounts filing | Free | Free | — |
Why the Increase?
Companies House needs to fund its transformation from a passive registrar to an active gatekeeper. The fees support identity verification systems, enhanced scrutiny processes, and fraud prevention measures.
Annual Cost Impact
For a typical UK limited company, the increased compliance costs in 2026 are:
- Formation (one-time): £50 → £100 (online, +£50)
- Old annual cost: £34 (confirmation statement)
- New annual cost: £50 (confirmation statement, +£16/year)
These are government fees paid directly to Companies House — every UK company pays them regardless of which formation agent you use.
Identity Verification Requirements
The biggest change: all directors and PSCs must now verify their identity with Companies House.
Who Must Verify?
- All directors (existing and new)
- All PSCs (Persons with Significant Control)
- Company secretaries (if appointed)
- Anyone filing on behalf of companies
Verification Methods
-
Direct with Companies House
Use GOV.UK with a biometric (chipped) passport. Fully digital process.
-
Via an ACSP
Authorised Corporate Service Providers can verify your identity on your behalf. Required if you don't have a biometric passport.
Companies House Personal Code
Once verified, you receive a unique Companies House personal code. This code:
- Links to your verified identity
- Must be provided on future filings
- Appears on your confirmation statement
- Is permanent (one verification per person)
Consequences of Non-Verification
Companies House can reject filings—including accounts and confirmation statements—if directors haven't verified their identity. This could result in late filing penalties, criminal offences, or the company being struck off.
Confirmation Statement Changes
The annual confirmation statement now requires additional information:
New Requirements
- Identity verification confirmation – Provide Companies House personal codes for all directors and PSCs
- Registered email address – Mandatory for all companies
- Lawful purpose statement – Confirm your company's activities are lawful
- Full shareholder list – Complete names of all shareholders (coming soon)
What Stays the Same
- Must be filed at least once every 12 months
- Confirms registered office address
- Confirms director and PSC information
- Confirms SIC codes (business activities)
- Confirms share capital and shareholders
Filing Deadline
You must file your confirmation statement within 14 days of your confirmation date. Failure to file is a criminal offence and can result in the company being struck off.
Registered Email Address Requirement
All UK companies must now provide a registered email address to Companies House.
Key Points
- Private: The email address is NOT published or available to the public
- Official communications: Companies House will use this email for important notices
- Must be monitored: Missing official communications could have consequences
- Can be changed: You can update the email address as needed
What Email to Use?
Use an email address that:
- Is checked regularly (at least weekly)
- Is controlled by the company (not a personal email that might become inaccessible)
- Is unlikely to filter Companies House emails to spam
Recommendation
Use a dedicated company email like compliance@yourcompany.co.uk or a professional email that multiple authorised people can access.
Lawful Purpose Statement
Every year on your confirmation statement, you must now confirm that:
"The intended future activities of the company will be lawful."
What This Means
- You're confirming the company won't be used for illegal purposes
- Companies House can reject filings if they have reason to believe otherwise
- False statements could constitute fraud
Why This Matters
ECCTA aims to prevent UK companies being used for:
- Money laundering
- Fraud
- Sanctions evasion
- Terrorism financing
- Other economic crimes
For legitimate businesses, this is a simple box-tick. But it gives Companies House grounds to refuse filings for companies suspected of illicit activities.
Implementation Timeline
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| 1 February 2026 | New fee structure takes effect |
| February 2026 | Identity verification required for new incorporations |
| Throughout 2026 | Existing directors/PSCs must verify before next confirmation statement |
| 2026 onwards | Registered email required on all confirmation statements |
| 2026 onwards | Lawful purpose statement required annually |
| Future (TBA) | Full shareholder names required on confirmation statement |
Act Now
Don't wait until your next confirmation statement deadline. Verify your identity now to avoid last-minute issues that could delay your filing.
Key Takeaways
- Fees increased significantly from 1 February 2026 — incorporation doubled from £50 to £100, confirmation statement up from £34 to £50
- All directors and PSCs must verify their identity
- You'll receive a Companies House personal code after verification
- A registered email address is now mandatory (but private)
- You must confirm lawful purpose annually
- Non-compliance can result in rejected filings, penalties, or strike-off
Need Help with Compliance?
Our partner 1st Formations is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) that can handle identity verification and ongoing compliance for your UK company.
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