A major change is on the way for how documents are filed at Companies House, as directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs) will be required to provide personal identification.
From 18 November 2025 identity verification will become a legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. This will help remove the details of those appointed without consent as is the latest in a string of reforms that aim to improve the quality and reliability of data on the companies register and combat economic crime.
An estimated 7.4m existing officers listed on the register will need to undergo verification and can do so on a voluntary basis before the requirement becomes mandatory.
Who needs to verify their identity with Companies House?
You will need to identify yourself, if you are:
A director listed at Companies House, and the company is registered in the UK (including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
A member of an LLP (Limited Liability Partnership), registered in the UK
A Person with Significant Control (PSC) or a UK company or LLP
A director of an overseas company with a UK establishment
The identification process, is a one-time process that needs to be completed before any such filing. Once the identification has been provided, individuals do not need to verify themselves again for each role they hold.
When do the new ID verification checks start?
The legislation makes the verification of identification compulsory, from 18 November 2025 onwards, but can be adopted before then. Companies House is currently contacting all affected individuals about the need to complete this identification process.
When the new ID verification checks come in to place, you will need to be aware of the following:
Existing directors: What's your deadline?
There will be a transition period of 12 months, which will apply to all existing directors and PSCs. However, it is important to note that not all Companies and LLPs will have the full 12 months to transition. Each UK-registered company must comply, by the time the first Confirmation Statement is due after the new requirements take effect. For PSCs, they may have slightly longer, as they must identify themselves with Companies House. They must complete the identification checks during the first 14 days of their birth month, providing that they are not already a director.
New directors and LLP members: The verification process
All newly appointed individuals will need to have their identification verified prior to acting in the role of a director or an LLP member. Companies House must be notified of the appointment and the verification within 14 days of the appointment.PSC’s when appointed, will be contacted by Companies House directly, and they then have 14 days to complete the verification process.
Starting a new company? What you need to do
For any new company or LLP incorporated, all individual directors must be verified before the company can be incorporated. The incorporation process will mean that all directors must provide their Unique Identification Code before the company can be incorporated. Again, PSCs will be contacted by Companies House, although the Company may choose to confirm a PSC’s verification on incorporation.
Rules for overseas companies with a UK establishment
A new director of an overseas company with a UK establishment, whilst in the UK, must not act as a director of the UK establishment unless their identification has been verified. Confirmation of this verification must be given to Companies House within a 21 day period. Confirmation of the directors’ ID verification must be given to Companies House on the first anniversary of the UK’s establishment, that falls after the 18 November 2025.
What are your options?
With the 18 November 2025 mandatory date fast approaching, we would recommend that you take the opportunity to voluntarily verify your identity with Companies House, and raise this issue with your fellow directors and PSCs.
If you would like our assistance to ensure compliance, or would like to discuss the new requirements, please contact adam.pattison@armstrongwatson.co.uk or call 0808 144 5575.
