By Maz Davis | 23 September, 2025

Identity Verification at Companies House: Key Changes from November 2025

As part of the UK’s ongoing efforts to tackle fraud and increase transparency, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduced mandatory identity verification (IDV) requirements for directors, people with significant control (PSCs), and those filing with Companies House.

 

While some details are still being finalised, from 18th November 2025 IDV will become a legal requirement for new appointments and filings, with a 12-month transition period for existing individuals.

 

What is Identity Verification?

IDV is the process of confirming an individual’s identity to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the Companies House register. It aims to prevent fictitious appointments and improve corporate transparency.

 

Who Needs to Verify?

From 18th November 2025, IDV will be required for:

  • All new and existing company directors
  • Individual limited liability partnerships (LLP) members and nominated directors of corporate LLP members
  • PSCs of companies and LLPs
  • Relevant officers of corporate PSCs
  • Individuals filing information at Companies House (on their own or others’ behalf)
  • Directors of overseas companies with a UK establishment

 

Directors and LLP members will need to provide the Companies House personal code they receive on completing IDV as part of the registration or appointment filing.

 

Note: IDV for limited partnerships, corporate director and others will follow later.

 

Key implementation dates

  • 8th April 2025: Voluntary IDV introduced
  • 18th November 2025: IDV becomes compulsory for new directors, LLP members, and PSCs; transition period begins for existing ones
  • Spring 2026: IDV required for individuals filing at Companies House; third parties must register as Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs)
  • End of 2026: Transition period ends and Companies House begins compliance checks

 

How to Verify

You can only verify your identity for Companies House using the following options.

  1. Companies House (Free)
  • Gov.uk One Login app; this allows the following forms of identity to be used: biometric passport, UK driving licence, residence permits
  • Gov.uk UK One Login Web Service; this allows the following forms of identity to be used: UK passport, driving licence, or bank details plus National Insurance number
  • In-Person (Post Office): this allows for a wider range of ID including UK passport, non-UK passport, UK photocard driving licence, European Union (EU) photocard driving licence or national identify photo card from an EU country, must be UK resident. For this route, the application is initiated and completed through the Gov.uk One Login website, but the information must be submitted in person at a chosen post office.
  1. Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) (Fee-Based)

A wider range of documents can be provided if using the ACSP route, but the exact requirements will depend on what process the ACSP uses to carry out IDV. Once an ACSP has completed IDV it will deliver a verification statement to Companies House confirming this.

 

Key Reminders

  • Existing directors and LLP members must verify when filing the next confirmation statement after 18th November 2025
  • Existing PSCs must verify within 14 days of the confirmation statement date or, if not a director, within 14 days of the start of their birth month
  • Individuals with multiple roles may need to verify separately for each one

 

What Are the Consequences of Non-Compliance?

Once IDV becomes mandatory:

  • Failure to verify identity may result in a criminal offence and financial penalties
  • Companies House will flag unverified individuals on the public register
  • Acting as a director without IDV is an offence — not only for the individual, but also for the company and its directors. Disqualification is also possible
  • PSCs who fail to complete IDV will also commit an offence
  • In practice, unverified individuals cannot be appointed as directors or LLP members, nor can they file documents once filing requirements change

 

While a director’s appointment remains legally valid without IDV, they cannot legally act until verification is completed.

 

In conclusion, companies and LLPs with an annual confirmation date falling shortly after 18th November 2025 are strongly advised to start the IDV process during the voluntary window. This proactive approach will help avoid potential bottlenecks and delays as the mandatory deadline approaches and demand for verification services increases.

 

Next Steps

Although some aspects remain under review, early preparation is strongly advised. Directors, PSCs and company secretaries should familiarise themselves with the IDV process, choose their verification route, and track relevant deadlines to ensure full compliance.

 

We recommend that clients:

  • Review current filings for directors and PSCs to ensure accuracy
  • Identify who needs to verify and brief them accordingly
  • Check ID document validity (expiry dates, format)
  • Map out confirmation statement dates for each entity
  • Pinpoint PSC IDV deadlines, especially for those not also serving as directors
  • Consider completing IDV voluntarily to avoid last-minute pressure

 

Note that Saul Fairholm will not be providing IDV services for clients. However, we can provide contact details for certain providers that are registered as Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSPs) and are offering IDV services. Please let us know if you would like us to provide details or put you in touch with any of these providers.

 

Further guidance can be found on the GOV.UK website.