Companies House changes – get ready for identity verification now

Identity verification is a key component of the reforms introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The aim of these significant reforms is to provide greater transparency around who runs and controls UK companies and to prevent the abuse of corporate structures. Identity verification will apply to all new and existing directors, persons with significant control (PSCs) and those who file information at Companies House amongst others.

Beat the rush by taking action now

From autumn 2025, Companies House estimates that around 7.4 million individuals will be required to verify their identity when identity verification becomes mandatory. Autumn 2025 will also mark the start of a 12-month transitional period which means that existing directors and PSCs will be required to verify their identity when their next annual confirmation statement is due. We will issue an update as soon as the exact date for mandatory identity verification is confirmed.

From 8 April 2025, identity can be verified on a voluntary basis either directly with Companies House or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). An ACSP is a new concept introduced for third party agents such as solicitors, accountants and company formation agents who deal with Companies House filings. Companies House launched a new service enabling AML registered entities and individuals to register as ACSPs to provide identity verification services on 18 March 2025.

We recommend taking steps now during the voluntary phase to avoid any delay.

For individuals who must verify their identity

• Check whether you hold a suitable identity document and that the details registered at Companies House match those documents.
• Check when the next confirmation statement is due. If you are a director of multiple companies then you will need to verify your identity by the earliest due date after autumn 2025.
• Consider verifying your identity during the voluntary phase.
• Make a note of your unique identifier code once your identity has been verified.

For company secretaries and others managing compliance for a company

• Review structure charts to identify affected individuals (such as directors, PSCs and officers of relevant legal entities).
• Individuals based overseas should be flagged and the suitability of their identity documents checked ASAP.
• Confirm the date when the first confirmation statement after autumn 2025 will be due if the company is a member of a corporate group. The due date can vary within a group as this is tied to the incorporation date unless the date is reset to align with other group companies.
• Encourage those affected to complete identity verification during the voluntary phase.
• Review existing processes to ensure on-going compliance with identity verification for new directors.
• Review record-keeping requirements. Confirmation of identity verification will be required by a statement made to Companies House for each role an individual holds.
• Consider whether you as company secretary should complete identity verification in the future if you plan to file documents on behalf of the company after Spring 2026 and will not be using an ACSP.

So, what is changing?

Identity verification will become a compulsory part of the incorporation process, director appointments and the registration of PSCs from autumn 2025.

In practice this means that until identity is verified, a director should not take any actions on behalf of the company in their capacity as a director. Acting while unverified is punishable by a fine although the actions taken and appointment will still be valid. Companies must also ensure that their directors do not act until their identity is verified otherwise the company and every officer of the company commits an offence.

Companies House intends to act against non-compliance at the end of 2026.

Who is required to verify identity?

The following will be affected:

• Directors
• LLP members
• PSCs
• Relevant officers of relevant legal entities
• General partners of limited partnerships
• An individual who is an ACSP
• Anyone filing at Companies House.

Identity verification is an individual requirement so you only need to verify your identity once even if you hold multiple directorships (unless re-verification is required by Companies House). You will only have one unique identifier code. Once verified, Companies House will make a note that your identity has been verified on the public register.

How to verify your identity

You can verify your identity online using GOV.UK One Login service. This service is free of charge. You will need to have one of the following types of photo ID:

• Biometric or machine readable passport
• Photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
• Identity card with biometric information from the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein
• UK biometric residence permit
• UK biometric residence card, or
• UK Frontier Work permit.

GOV.UK One Login will then walk you through the verification process. You can either use the app (which you can download and will require a camera for facial ID) or the web browser. You will also need an e-mail address, your current residential address, proof of name changes and address history for the last 12 months. We used the app option to verify the identity of some of our team and can confirm it is relatively straightforward.

If you cannot verify online and you live in the UK then you can verify in person using One Login at a designated Post Office or through an ACSP.

If you do not live in the UK and do not hold a biometric passport then you may need to use an ACSP to verify your identity. 

Once verified successfully, you will be allocated a unique identifier code also known as a Companies House personal code. This will be used to connect the various roles you hold to your verified identity.

Other consequences of non-compliance

These include:

• Companies House could annotate the register to flag unverified individuals
• Possible disqualification proceedings for unverified directors
• New company incorporations being rejected if directors are unverified which could delay transactions and other corporate actions
• Inability to make filings at Companies House.

Key dates

• 18 March 2025 - Companies House opened the application process for ACSPs to register to provide identity verification services
• 8 April 2025 – voluntary identity verification opened
• Autumn 2025 – Companies House intends to make identity verification compulsory on incorporation for all directors and PSCs with a 12-month transition period. Companies House is still to confirm the exact date
• Spring 2026 - Companies House should require identity verification for presenters filing any document and reject documents filed by disqualified directors.

Background

The main aim of these reforms is to enhance the role of Companies House and to improve corporate transparency. The Government would like to see Companies House evolve from a passive recipient of information to a more active gatekeeper with a wider remit of powers. The changes are the most fundamental set of reforms since Companies House was created.

More information

More information can be found in our earlier briefing and Corporate law timeline if you would like to track the key implementation dates.

Read the Companies House guidance:

• Verify your identity for Companies House - GOV.UK
• When you need to verify your identity
• Applying to register as a an ACSP
• Tell Companies House you have verified someone's identity - GOV.UK
• How to meet the identity verification standard

This article was also authored by Laura Brumwell, Company Secretarial Manager at Womble Bond Dickinson.