Companies House Identity Verification – New Requirements for Company Directors
- Wm Watson
- Sep 24, 2025
- 4 min read
A new identity verification (IDV) process has been launched which requires directors and business owners to verify their identity with Companies House.
We are encouraging all of our clients to familiarise themselves with the information below and that provided by Companies House to prepare themselves for this upcoming change.
Please note, this information was published in September 2025, and legislative updates may have been made since. This information is generic and may not be suitable for all businesses. Please get in touch for tailored advice.
Why is there a new identity verification process?
This new process has been implemented after the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 was published and mandatory requirements were outlined. This means directors, members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs) and those with significant control (PSCs), are required to verify their identity with Companies House.
The reason for this, is to try and limit and reduce the risk of fraud by making it harder to register businesses with made up directors.
Who needs to verify their identity?
Anyone who meets the following criteria has to verify their identity:
- New and existing directors of UK companies
- New and existing members of LLPs and a nominated corporate director
- New and existing PSCs of a company or LLP
- An individual who is a relevant officer of a relevant legal entity (RLE)
- A nominated director of each general partner of a limited partnership
- Any individuals filling information on behalf of themselves or another
There will also be identity verification requirements for directors of overseas companies that are registered with Companies house with a UK establishment.
What are the key dates I should know?
Now: Option to complete the IDV process is voluntary but encouraged by Companies House to get ahead of the mandatory deadlines.
18th November 2025: IDV becomes compulsory for directors, LLP members and PSCs.
Spring 2026: IDV compulsory for those filling documents at Companies House. Third parties filling on behalf of others are required to register as an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP).
Dec 2026: Transition and grace period will end, and Companies House will begin compliance checks.
We encourage all of our clients to start the IDV process early to avoid any last-minute stress or compliance issues.
What do I need to do?
To verify, you can either complete the process with Companies House yourself for free or do so via an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP).
Companies House Verification Methods:
At Companies House, you can verify for free using one of three methods. These are outlined below:
Option 1 - UK One Login Check App (requires you to download the app to a Smart Phone with a working camera)
Option 2 - UK One Login Web Service (security questions will be asked)
Option 3 - Face to Face Service (available at selected post offices).
More details on the Companies House route to verification can be found here: Verifying your identity with Companies House
To start the verification process with Companies House, you can follow the link to the Companies House service on the website:
Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP):
ACSPs will provide more details of the route they choose to take and the relevant requirements and will likely charge a fee. Is using an ACSP please make sure you complete the relevant background checks to confirm they are a registered business and authorised to do this work. Be wary of scammers.
Please note, William Watson and Co Accountants will not be providing IDV services to clients.
What information and ID do I need to Verify?
To complete the verification process, the following ID documents can be used:
- In date Biometric Passport
- UK full or provisional Driving Licence
- UK Biometric residence Permit or Card
If using the Login in Web Service (option 2), a UK bank account may also be required and a national insurance number.
If using the Face-to-Face Service (option 3), applications must also provide proof of address.
What happens next?
Once you have completed the verification process with Companies House, you will be provided with an 11-character unique identifier. This is called a Companies House personal code. This personal code should be kept safely and not shared with others. It will not be available publicly on Companies House website.
Verification will only need to be completed once. However, Companies House may need individuals to re-verify if they ID information they provide is not suitable or if they believe any information provided to be inaccurate.
What happens if I do not verify?
Once IDV becomes mandatory (after the 18th November 2025) non-compliance may result in a financial penalty and be considered a criminal offence.
A director may be disqualified if they are acting as a director without completing IDV.
Going forward, new companies / people taking on new director roles / people becoming persons with significant control within a business, will not be able register on Companies House until they have completed the verification process. The IDV process should take place before any of these appointments are made.
At William Watson & Co Accountants Ltd, we continually seek guidance from regulated professional bodies like the AAT and Croners as well as HMRC. The information in this blog is put together from a range of sources and we strive to ensure that this information is as accurate as possible. However, this blog is for information purposes and does not replace professional advice, and we encourage all clients to seek tailored advice about their specific circumstances.
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