ECCTA Update: Companies House Delays Mandatory ID Verification for those making Companies House filings

Overview

Companies House has revised its implementation timetable for practical elements of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA). Crucially, the mandatory identity verification (IDV) requirements for individuals filing documents ("presenters") and third-party agents have been pushed back from Spring 2026 to late 2026.

While some changes have been pushed back, others are moving ahead - including the removal of the option to maintain a register of members centrally with Companies House.

Revised transition timetable

The following changes, originally slated for Spring 2026, are now envisioned to take effect “no earlier than November 2026”:

• Mandatory IDV for Presenters: Identity verification will become a compulsory prerequisite for any individual delivering documents to the Registrar.
• ACSP Registration: Third-party agents (law firms, accountants, etc.) filing on behalf of companies must be registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

The ability for the Registrar to reject documents delivered by disqualified directors has also been postponed from Spring to “by the end of 2026”, which is in the same time bracket for planned updates to improve the transparency of limited partnerships, and for concluding the IDV transition period for all individuals on the register.

Why the delay?

The extension is intended to allow Companies House to focus on the ongoing transition period for Directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs), which began on 18 November 2025.

The Registrar is also using this time to review stakeholder feedback and to evaluate whether its existing systems and processes can be improved. The director and PSC mandatory regime has introduced additional friction for corporates and investors working to tight deadlines - particularly in scenarios where same-day incorporations are critical to deal preserve timelines but directors have not completed their verification in advance. This additional window should help reduce operational teething pains for presenters and agents adjusting to the new workflows.

Immediate action required: companies holding a central register of members

While IDV for presenters is delayed, other reforms are moving forward. Under regulations that took effect on 26 January 2026, the option for companies to keep member information on the central register at Companies House has been removed. This will no longer be an option available to newly incorporated companies and existing companies with local registers, while those holding a register of members centrally will have a limited transition window to move to a local register (to be held at the company's registered office or SAIL address).

How we can help

We are closely monitoring the changing regulatory landscape in connection with the implementation of ECCTA. Please reach out to us if you need any help with:

• Navigating the IDV process for your board members and PSCs.
• Establishing and maintaining your statutory registers to comply with the latest regulations.
• Preparing your internal teams for the mandatory presenter verification regime coming this November.