Companies House is the government agency responsible for incorporating all companies in the UK and for maintaining the register of companies. It also accepts and stores company filings and provides an online searchable database of company information.

On 4 March 2024, Companies House’s powers were expanded significantly when a number of measures introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 came into force.

The new powers are intended to improve the accuracy of data held by Companies House and to prevent companies in the UK being used to carry out unlawful activities. For the first time, Companies House has been given enhanced information gathering powers and the ability to reject documents before they are filed on the register.