UK company registration FAQs

A company has used my name or address without permission; what can I do?

If someone’s name or address has been used by a company without permission, they can report this to Companies House using its online form. Companies House will then tell the complainant whether or not it can remove the details from the Companies House register.

If Companies House accepts an application to remove a registered address, the company has 28 days to provide an appropriate replacement.

What does Companies House do to make sure the companies register is accurate?

Under the Companies Act 2006 companies must provide Companies House with the names of their directors, an address where the company can receive correspondence and an email address, among other things.

From November 2025, a company’s directors and people with significant control over the company have needed to verify their identity. Companies House has said other key company individuals (for example, company secretaries) will be required to verify their identity at a later date.

Companies House doesn’t pre-verify all company addresses or email addresses, but can query, challenge and rectify false address information on the register.

These requirements and powers were enhanced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and associated regulations. In January 2025, the then CEO of Companies House said:

These powers represent a fundamental shift in the role of Companies House, from being a collector of information to becoming an active gatekeeper of the accuracy and integrity of information on our registers.

If a company breaches the law, Companies House can enforce the law by fining the company, applying for directors to be disqualified and taking criminal or civil legal action.

A summary of the changes introduced by the act is available on gov.uk. Companies House has published a blogpost highlighting which powers Companies House had before the act and which powers it now has.

Why do companies register at incorrect addresses?

In 2023 consumer champion Which? said companies used fraudulent addresses to:

• Defraud potential customers who think the company is legitimate
• Defraud banks and the government when applying for loans and grants
• Avoid debt collectors

The BBC has also reported on cases of companies using fraudulent addresses to launder money. This means moving money that was earned illegally through a series of companies to obscure its origin. This can then allow money launderers to use the money with a lower risk of scrutiny from authorities and the police.

As a director, how do I verify my identity?

From 18 November 2025, a company’s directors and people with significant control over the company have needed to verify their identity. This is not a deadline but marks the start of a 12-month transition period; by November 2026 all directors and people with significant control will need to be verified. Companies House has said other key company individuals (for example, company secretaries) will have to verify their identity at a later date.

After verifying their identity, directors will receive a unique personal code. New companies will have to provide a code for each director when they register. Existing companies will have to provide code(s) when the company files its next confirmation statement.

Gov.uk provides guidance for directors on how to verify their identity. This includes guidance for directors with and without photo ID. Directors can do so online, in person at a Post Office or by using an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP). ACSPs are individuals or organisations that do anti-money laundering (AML) supervised activities, including director verification. They include organisations like solicitors and accountants.

Directors can verify their identity without photo ID online using their bank or building society details and their National Insurance number. In some cases this may not be sufficient to verify a director’s identity and photo ID will be required.

Companies House says directors struggling to verify their identity can contact the gov.uk One Login customer contact centre and technical service desk. The government has provided guidance to help, say, friends and family of the director, assist them in verifying their identity.

How do I complain about Companies House?

Individuals can complain to Companies House through its internal complaints procedure. Companies House says that it will respond to complaints within 28 days. If a complainant is unhappy with the response they can refer the complaint to the internal head of complaints, Companies House’s independent adjudicators and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman via their MP.

Further information

For more on changes to company registration see the Commons Library research briefing Company registration in the UK.