New Companies House PSC & ID Verification Updates: Key Changes Accountants Should Know
Companies House has released a significant set of updates relating to People with Significant Control (PSC) rules, identity verification (IDV), and various statutory forms. These updates support the implementation of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), the most substantial reform in Companies House history.
Here’s a clear summary of what’s new and how it may affect your work.
New & Updated PSC Guidance (Published 19 November 2025)
Companies House has released multiple guidance documents to help companies, PSCs, and agents comply with strengthened PSC and transparency requirements. These are:
- PSC Summary Guidance: Overview of PSC requirements for companies with simple ownership structures.
- PSC Register Guidance: For individuals who may be PSCs and need clarity on their obligations.
- PSC Guidance for Scottish Partnerships (ESPs): Explains PSC responsibilities specific to Scottish partnerships.
- PSC Guidance for Legal Entities: Detailed rules for larger or more complex ownership structures.
These updates aim to help businesses understand when PSCs must verify their identity, what information must be maintained, and how to comply under ECCTA.
Updated Identity Verification Forms & Filing Processes
Companies House has published new and updated forms relating to identity verification, new versions of PSC notification and update forms, and forms for Director Appointments, and Terminations & LLP Registrations. These updates support the rollout of mandatory ID verification for directors, PSCs, and filing agents.
Request forms:
- Request to Extend the Identity Verification Deadline (PSC): Submit a request to extend the deadline for a PSC to meet identity verification requirements for Companies House.
Notice forms:
- Form – Give notice of individual person with significant control (PSC01c): Use this form to give notice of an individual person with significant control (PSC).
- Form – Give notice ceasing to be an individual person with significant control (PSC07c): Use this form to give notice of ceasing to be an individual person with significant control, relevant legal entity or other registrable person.
- Form – Give notice of change of details for person with significant control (PSC04c): Use this form to give notice of change of details for person with significant control (PSC).
Registration forms:
- Form – Register a limited liability partnership (LL IN01): Application form to register (incorporate) a limited liability partnership (LLP) within the UK.
- Form – Appoint a director for a Welsh jurisdiction company (AP01c): Use this form to appoint an individual person as a director of a Welsh jurisdiction company.
Termination forms:
- Form – Terminate an appointment of a director (TM01c): Use this form to terminate the appointment of an individual or corporate director.
- Form – Terminate an appointment of a secretary (TM02c): Use this form to terminate the appointment of a company secretary, if your registered office address is situated in Wales instead of England and Wales.
Filing forms:
- Form- -File a Single Alternative Inspection Location (AD02c): Use this form to notify Companies House of a Single Alternative Inspection Location (SAIL) where company records will be held.
Identity verification process
- Updated guidance on when identity verification is required: When you need to verify depends on your role, and when you started that role.
- Verifying your identity for Companies House: You need to prove who you are to set up, run, own or control a company in the UK.
- Companies House personal codes for identity verification: How to use and manage the personal code you receive when you verify your identity for Companies House.
Additional Publications
Companies House also released:
- Strategy 2025–2030: Companies House’s vision and strategic objectives for the next 5 years.
- New Registrar’s Rules: Rules outlining the form, manner of delivery and method of authentication for documents delivered to Companies House in electronic or paper format.
- Transparency data: Companies House government procurement card spending 2025: Information about our government procurement card (GPC) spending 2025.
- Transparency data: Companies House purchase ledger spend 2025: Information about our purchase ledger spending 2025.
These documents signal Companies House’ shift toward a more digital, regulated, and transparent corporate register.
What This Means for Accountants
With the introduction of ECCTA, accountants and company secretaries should expect:
✔ Stricter ID verification
Every director, PSC, and filing agent must verify their identity.
✔ More accurate PSC registers
Incorrect or incomplete PSC information could lead to rejected filings.
✔ Increased client dependency
Clients will require more support understanding IDV requirements and completing PSC updates.
✔ Higher compliance expectations
More detailed guidance means fewer excuses for non-compliance.
How Capium Helps
Capium’s Company Secretarial and AML tools are built to support firms through these regulatory shifts, offering:
- PSC management
- Automated reminders
- IDV workflows (including biometric checks)
- Compliance tracking
- Integration with AML partners
- Clear audit trails
As Companies House continues to update requirements, Capium will ensure users remain supported and compliant.
If you need help managing PSC records, tracking identity verification, or preparing for ECCTA, our support team is here to help.
