What the New Companies House Identity Verification Regime Means for Your Practice 

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), Companies House is in increasing its regulatory and enforcement powers as part of a process to dramatically improve the quality of information on the register. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of compulsory identity verification for company directors, People with Significant Control (PSCs), and anyone filing on their behalf. 

What’s Changing with ID verification? 

There are some key changes to ID verification: 

• Voluntary identity verification became available from 8 April 2025, allowing individuals to verify via GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)  

• Compulsory verification from 18 November 2025 for new incorporations and appointments, and confirmation statements filed after this date, triggering a 12month transition window for existing directors to comply by Autumn 2026 

• By Spring 2026, only verified individuals—or registered ACSPs—will be permitted to file documents at Companies House 

• Every PSC has a 14-day period during which they must submit a statement confirming they have verified their identity, along with their Companies House personal code.  

• If they are registered as a PSC after 18 November 2025, their 14-day period starts from the date they register with Companies House. 

• If they are already a PSC on 18 November 2025, their 14-day period starts from the company’s confirmation statement date – if they are also a director of the company. 

• If they are not a director of the company, their 14-day period starts from the first day of their month of birth, as it is shown on the Companies House register. For example, if the date of birth is shown on the register as December 1990, the 14-day period will start on 1 December 2025.   

How can directors / PSCs confirm their ID? 

There are three ways an individual can verify their ID: 

1. Directors / PSCs can ID themselves directly on the gov website (or use the website to book an appointment to do it in person at a Post office). 

1. ACSPs can verify the ID of Directors / PSCs via electronic software with identification document validation technology (IDVT). Note this must be a system that scans the document itself and confirms it is authentic via the image or the embedded chip. 

1. ACSPs can verify the ID of Directors / PSCs via paper documents, after the ACSP has undertaken appropriate training. The documents must either be two from list A in the rules (which includes documents such as passports or photocard driving licences), or one from list A and one from list B (which includes documents such as a birth certificate or utility bill). The guidance issued by Companies House makes clear that at least one of the documents must be a photographic one. 

Risks and Opportunities: Cut Through the Noise 

Failing to comply isn’t just inconvenient, it can be costly. Directors cannot be legally appointed or submit filings if unverified, and firms risk reputational damage and the loss of ACSP registration if they state that they have verified an individual when they have not done so properly. Note that the name of the ACSP that has verified the ID of an individual is shown on the public record. 

How to Prepare Now for Companies House ACSP Changes 

Your firm needs to be compliant, so consider taking the following steps: 

• Register as an ACSP promptly, if not done already — avoids delays and confusion and allows someone in the firm to use the gov website to confirm their own ID and so understand the process you are asking clients to consider. 

• Decide whether to verify client IDs using: 

• Electronic IDVT tools for biometric document validation, 

• Or manual document checking, which requires homeoffice standard training and stronger procedural rigour than standard AML checks 

• Confirm how to price any verification service and communicate the options and pricing to clients before confirmation statements need to be filed.  

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