All company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) need to verify their identity with Companies House to prove who they are. This is a new legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to help prevent people using companies for illegal purposes.

If you’re a director of a UK company, a person with significant control (PSC) or a member of a LLP, this will impact you. This is what you need to know.

Verified identity checks 

Anyone involved in setting up, running, or controlling a UK company will need to verify their identity before filing with Companies House. 

Companies House suggests that Directors act now before it becomes mandatory as this will help prevent delays and complications. Directors based outside of the UK, may have to use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – many accountants and similar professionals are in the process of becoming authorised to do this.

Timings

From 8th April, 2025 – existing directors can choose to verify their identity.

From Autumn 2025 – it’s a legal requirement that new directors or those acting for a new company must verify their identity.

This is the start of a 12-month transition period. All existing directors for existing companies need to verify their identity. 

How to verify your identity

1. You can verify online by logging onto GOV.UK One Login to verify your identity. This is a free service. In order to verify yourself, you’ll need one of the following types of photo ID:
2. A biometric passport from any country
3. UK photo driving licence (full or provisional)
4. UK biometric residence permit (BRP)
5. UK biometric residence card (BRC)
6. UK Frontier Worker permit (FWP)

Identity verification is a two-step process

Step 1: Verify your identity and get your Companies House personal code.

This code is personal to you, not the company. Keep this information secure until you need to use it. You can view your personal code in the ‘manage account’ section of your Companies House account.

Step 2: From autumn 2025, link your verified identity to our records.

You’ll need to provide your personal code and a verification statement for each company role you hold. Companies House will provide more information on how to do this in the coming months.

Or you can:

2. Visit the Post Office. You’ll need to use the ’verify your identity for Companies House’ service first using the GOV.UK One Login, to find out if you can use the PO.  Find out more about verifying at a Post Office, including what you’ll need to take with you.

3. Verify via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

Act Now!

If you’re about to start a new business or appoint new directors to your existing business, these directors need to be verified now.

If you are the director of an existing company or partnership of LLB, you can choose to verify your identity now.

If you choose not to verify yourself yet, schedule that you need to do this within the 12-month transition period.

Please also be aware that:

Small and micro businesses are no longer permitted to file abridged accounts.

Micro-entities (businesses with fewer than 10 employees and a turnover of less than £632,000) – need to file a balance sheet. The Directors’ Report may be removed from the filing copy.

Small companies (with fewer than 50 employees and a turnover under £10.2m) – must file a balance sheet, directors’ report and profit & loss account.

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In fact, we can handle most tasks that don’t require your personal time, giving you time to concentrate on something else that you are better skilled at doing or, to allow you time to enjoy doing something that fills you with happiness.

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