Companies House Identity Verification Starts and Rollout Update
Identity Verification Becomes Mandatory: What the Companies House Rollout Means for UK Businesses
In a major move to improve transparency and reduce fraud, Companies House has confirmed that mandatory identity verification for company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) will begin on 18 November 2025. This change forms part of the broader reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
If you’re involved in running or managing a UK company or planning to form a new company here’s what you need to know about the changes, how they’ll impact you, and how to stay compliant.
What’s Changing and When?
From 18 November 2025, all new directors and new PSCs will need to verify their identity before they can form a new company or be appointed to an existing one.
For existing directors, identity verification will be tied to the filing of their next confirmation statement. They’ll have 12 months from 18 November 2025 to complete the process. Similarly, existing PSCs will have up to 12 months, depending on their status and Companies House deadlines, to get verified.
Companies House estimates that 6 to 7 million individuals will need to go through the process over the course of the 12-month transition period, which ends in November 2026.
Why the Change?
The UK has long grappled with issues surrounding corporate transparency. For too long, it’s been possible to create companies with very little scrutiny over who is actually behind them. This lack of verification has left the register open to abuse, including fraud, identity theft, and money laundering.
According to Companies House CEO Louise Smyth, identity verification is a “key step” in tackling misuse of the register and increasing confidence in the UK business landscape.
The rollout aims to:
- Improve the quality and accuracy of the companies register
- Enhance public trust in the businesses listed
- Make it harder for bad actors to use UK companies for illicit purposes
- Support business growth through greater transparency and accountability
Who Needs to Verify?
You’ll need to verify your identity with Companies House if you are:
- A new director appointed after 18 November 2025
- A new person with significant control (PSC) appointed after this date
- An existing director (you’ll verify in line with your company’s confirmation statement)
- An existing PSC, based on a defined deadline (outlined below)
This includes individuals acting for companies limited by shares, limited by guarantee, LLPs, and other corporate entities.
Special Cases:
- Corporate directors, corporate members of LLPs, and officers of corporate PSCs will have their own verification timeline, to be introduced later.
- Limited partnerships will also be covered by identity checks in a future phase.
How Will Identity Verification Work?
Verification will be available in two ways:
- A fast, secure, free digital verification process
- Users will receive a personal verification code upon completion
- Most users will only need to verify once
Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) (like us)
- Verification via an authorised third-party (e.g. your company formation agent or accountant)
- Useful for those preferring a guided or assisted process
Once verified, individuals must submit their personal code and a confirmation that they’ve completed verification whenever they take on a new company role.
Verify Your Identity and Stay Compliant with New UK Regulations
