Significant changes are coming to the way Companies House manages the accuracy of information on the public register. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), Companies House is expanding its powers, introducing new verification requirements, and tightening controls on who can file company information.

One of the most important reforms is the rollout of compulsory identity verification for directors, People with Significant Control (PSCs), and anyone who submits filings on their behalf. These changes are designed to improve transparency, reduce economic crime, and enhance trust in the UK corporate framework.

Below, we outline what’s changing, when the new rules apply, and what your business should do now to prepare.

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What’s Changing?

1. Voluntary Verification Now Available

From 8 April 2025, individuals have been able to verify their identity voluntarily using:

• GOV.UK One Login, or

• An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

This early access allows businesses to familiarise themselves with the process ahead of mandatory enforcement.

2. Compulsory Verification from 18 November 2025

Identity verification becomes mandatory for:

• All new company incorporations

• All new director appointments

• All confirmation statements filed after 18 November 2025

Existing directors will have a 12-month transition period, meaning they must complete their verification by Autumn 2026.

3. Only Verified Individuals Can File by Spring 2026

From Spring 2026, Companies House will only accept filings from:

• Individuals who have verified their identity, or

• Registered ACSPs submitting documents on behalf of clients

Unverified individuals will not be permitted to file anything at Companies House.

4. New 14-Day Deadline for PSC Verification

PSCs must submit a statement confirming their identity verification, together with their Companies House personal code, within 14 days.

The timeline depends on when they became a PSC:

• Registered after 18 November 2025:
  14 days from the date they are added to the register.

• Already on the register on 18 November 2025 and also a director:
  14 days from the company’s confirmation statement date.

• Already on the register but not a director:
  14 days from the first day of their birth month as recorded at Companies House.
  Example: if the register shows “December 1990”, the deadline begins on 1 December 2025.

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How Can Directors and PSCs Verify Their Identity?

There are three approved methods:

1. Direct Verification via GOV.UK

Individuals can verify online or book an in-person appointment at a Post Office through the GOV.UK website.

2. Electronic Verification via an ACSP

ACSPs may use identity document validation technology (IDVT), which:

• Scans ID documents directly

• Checks authenticity using images or embedded chip data

This is often the fastest and most secure method.

3. Manual Verification via an ACSP

ACSPs can perform manual checks with appropriate training. This requires:

• Two documents from List A (e.g., passport, photocard driving licence), or

• One from List A + one from List B (e.g., birth certificate, utility bill)

At least one document must include a photograph, per Companies House guidance.

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What Are the Risks of Non-Compliance?

Failure to comply may lead to:

• Directors being unable to be appointed

• Individuals being unable to submit filings

• Potential reputational damage if verification is carried out incorrectly

• Loss of ACSP registration for firms that improperly verify identities

Companies House will also publish the name of the ACSP that carried out each verification—making accuracy and compliance essential.

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