Companies House Reforms – Confirmation statement penalties and more major changes to come  

As previously reported, Companies House (CH) are bringing in wide-ranging changes following the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act becoming law. 

Introduced earlier this year, were: 

• The requirement for companies to register an email address. 
• The requirement for companies to confirm that their intended future activities are lawful. 
• Increased Companies House filing fees. 

Now another important change has been announced: 

Extension of financial penalties to cover Confirmation Statements (CS01s) 

The link below confirms that Companies House (CH) now have the powers to issue financial penalties in respect of the late filing of Confirmation Statements (and other statutory documents): 

Companies House approach to financial penalties 

It should be noted that: 

• The penalties are not automatic (as they are for accounts). 
• CH will issue a warning notice to the company’s registered office address prior to the levy of any penalty, giving 28 days for a response (either by filing the outstanding item or making a written representation to explain the delay).  
• After the 28 days has expired, if no action has been taken, a penalty notice will be issued. 
• The amount of fine will depend on any previous late filings and will range from £250 to £2,000.  

We are yet to gauge the extent to which CH use these new powers. 

All clients who use our Company Secretarial services should ensure they respond promptly to emails relating to Confirmation Statements and return completed documents as soon as possible so we can ensure all deadlines are met. 

Identify verification 

Further important changes are coming in Spring 2025 through until Autumn 2026 requiring all directors (or equivalent) and PSCs to verify their identity with Companies House.  

Details are still to be confirmed, but we understand: 

• Verification will be via an online portal (using facial recognition technology) will be used (with an in-person alternative via the Post Office). 
• Once identity is verified, a code (personal to the individual, similar to an NI number) will be issued to the individual’s email by Companies House.  
• This code will need to be shared with us and anyone else who files statutory documents on their behalf. 
• From Autumn 2025, codes will be required in order to file appointment forms, new PSC forms and incorporation requests; then being extended out to cover all CS01 filings as they fall due. 

Portals will most likely open for use in Spring 2025 and we’ll be encouraging all individuals to act early to obtain their personal codes and pass them to us. 

We’ll continue to provide further updates on this important change – and the actions needed by clients to verify their identity. 

Last updated: 20.01.2025