UK Companies House Identity Verification: Everything You Need to Know Before 2026
- Panashe Chigunwe
- Aug 13, 2025
- 3 min read
A New Era for UK Company Compliance
From 18 November 2025, identity verification will become mandatory for millions of people connected to UK companies. This change is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which is reshaping how Companies House operates.
For the first time, every director, Person with Significant Control (PSC), and certain other company representatives will need to prove they are who they say they are — using secure, government-approved checks.
The goal? Stop fraud, improve transparency, and restore public trust in the UK’s business register.
Why is Identity Verification Being Introduced?
Companies House has historically acted as a passive registrar. Fraudsters exploited this by registering companies with fake or stolen identities — sometimes using high-profile or fictional names like “Darth Vader” or “Donald Duck.”
The new verification rules are designed to:
Eliminate false identities in company registrations.
Expose true ownership and control structures.
Help law enforcement combat money laundering and economic crime.
Protect honest businesses from being unknowingly linked to fraudulent activity.
In 2024 alone, Companies House challenged over 100,000 suspect company filings and rejected more than 10,200 suspicious applications — but under the old system, fraud could still slip through.
Who Needs to Verify?
Mandatory identity checks will apply to:
All current directors of UK companies.
All new directors from 18 November 2025 onwards.
Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) — people who own or control 25% or more of a company’s shares or voting rights.
Authorised filers (such as company secretaries, accountants, and agents) who submit documents to Companies House on behalf of others.
Note: LLP members, corporate directors, and partnership officers will also be included as the reforms are phased in.
The Timeline & Deadlines
Date | Change |
8 April 2025 | Voluntary identity verification opens via GOV.UK One Login or through authorised agents. |
18 November 2025 | Mandatory verification begins for all new directors and PSCs before they can take up their roles. |
18 Nov 2025 – Nov 2026 | 12-month transition period for existing directors and PSCs to verify — typically triggered by their next confirmation statement filing. |
Mid-November 2026 | Final deadline for all affected individuals to be verified. |
By the end of this transition, an estimated 6–7 million people must have completed verification.
How the Verification Process Works
You have two main options:
1. Direct Verification via GOV.UK One Login (Free)
Works online, through the GOV.UK app, or at participating Post Offices.
Acceptable documents: biometric passport, UK photo driving licence, biometric residence permit, or Frontier Worker permit.
Process includes uploading ID, live selfie/video, and automated biometric checks.
Once approved, you’ll get a personal verification code for future filings.
2. Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
Examples: accountants, solicitors, company formation agents.
Must be registered under anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and authorised by Companies House.
They check your ID and confirm verification with Companies House.
May charge a fee — typically £45 to £250 — but the direct GOV.UK method is free.
What Happens if You Don’t Verify?
The consequences for non-compliance are serious:
You cannot legally act as a company director.
The company commits an offence by retaining an unverified director.
PSCs risk financial penalties and loss of legal standing.
Companies House can reject filings, issue fines up to £10,000, or refer cases for prosecution.
In extreme cases, failure to comply could lead to director disqualification or imprisonment for obstruction.
Practical Tips to Stay Compliant
Verify early – avoid last-minute delays and filing rejections.
Use GOV.UK One Login unless you have a reason to go through an agent. It’s fast, free, and secure.
Coordinate with your accountant or company secretary if they handle filings on your behalf.
Update your records now so Companies House can contact you easily.
Educate all relevant people in your company about their role in compliance.
Final Thoughts
This reform is the biggest shake-up to UK company law in decades. It transforms Companies House from a record-keeper into an active gatekeeper, helping to keep dishonest actors out of the corporate system.
For honest business owners, the process is quick and straightforward. By verifying early and keeping your records up to date, you can stay compliant — and help protect the UK’s reputation as a trustworthy place to do business.
