Last Updated on June 20, 2025 by BusinAssist Editorial Team
Need to Verify Your Identity with Companies House? Contact Us Now: [email protected]
UK-registered companies must now verify their identity with Companies House. This comes amid new identification rules from Companies House under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) which aims to curb economic crimes and fraudulent activities.
Expected to take effect in autumn 2025, voluntary registration commenced on April 8th, 2025, paving the way for directors, people with significant control (PSCs), and anyone submitting a statutory report to Companies House on behalf of the company to familiarise themselves with the process.
With the Companies House identity verification launch now in effect, businesses can verify their identity either directly through Companies House or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as their accountant or a UK company formation agent. This article will help businesses understand these changes and the actions they must take.
Understanding the Companies House identity verification launch
Identity verification introduced by Companies House aligns with the company laws under the ECCTA. The act has introduced some changes to the company administration and identity verification (IDV) requirements.
Those affected by the changes are new incorporations and existing companies. Company directors, PSCs, those with similar roles to the director, and those who submit statutory documents to Companies House on behalf of the company (company secretary) must verify their identity with Companies House.
Companies House is urging company directors and PSCs to voluntarily verify their identity before the mandatory verification later in the year. Voluntary verification allows businesses to understand the process, ensuring a smooth transition. Directors and PSCs that are already operating, have a 12 month transition period from autumn 2025 to verify their identity.
This is mandatory for every registered company in the UK with either resident or foreign directors and PSCs. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to several consequences, such as criminal offence and/or incurring a civil penalty. Companies with unverified directors will also commit an offence, which may lead to possible dissolution or strike-off from the public register.
Directors and PSCs can do identity verification with Companies House directly or use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). From autumn 2025, all new incorporations, directors, and people with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity; failure to which, the UK company registration application may be rejected.
The identity verification has been introduced to curb economic fraud and rogue individuals acting as company directors or PSCs.
Who is supposed to verify their identity with Companies House?
Directors: both new and existing directors
People with significant control (PSCs): PSCs refer to individuals who own or control a substantial portion of a business.
LLP members: Including designated members.
Individuals who complete the filings at Companies House: This category consists of secretaries and third parties, such as accountants, solicitors, and company formation agents.
How does identity verification work?
The process of identity verification verifies that an individual is the person he or she claims to be based on matching the information and documents he or she submits to Companies House or ACSP. This helps to avoid fraud, unauthorised access, and other malicious activities.
Companies House:
Verification with Companies House involves uploading a photo of identity document which can be either a passport or a driving licence. You will also be required to upload a live selfie which will be matched using facial recognition technology.
Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP):
These can be company formation agents or accountants authorised by Companies House to do identity verification checks for anti-money laundering purposes. They can make ID checks on your behalf.
We are a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) with Companies House, officially authorised to carry out identity verifications on your behalf securely and in full compliance with regulations.
Contact us now: [email protected] to verify your identity with Companies House quickly and easily!
What are the consequences of not verifying your identity with Companies House?
Criminal offence: Non-compliance is a criminal offence that may result in prosecution.
Financial penalties: Directors, PSCs, and the company can be penalized due to non-compliance.
Disqualification as a director: Unverified directors may be disqualified from acting as directors in the future.
Inability to submit a statutory record to Companies House: When the directors and PSCs have passed the identity checks, they will then be issued with the Companies House Personal Code that enables them to change their details and lodge statutory records with Companies House. This means unverified individuals will find it hard to submit statutory filings of the company with Companies House, leading to penalties and a company strike-off from the register.
Risk of the company being struck off: Improper identification of the directors and PSCs may result in a company being struck off the register.
How to complete an identity verification check?
Choose verification route: Decide on which method you want to use to verify your identity. Either direct verification with Companies House or use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Submit the required documents: If you attempt to verify your identity directly through the GOV.UK website, you’ll be required to provide biometric documents, such as a biometric passport or a government-issued ID card with an embedded chip.
However, when you choose to verify your identity through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) like us, biometric documents are not required. The process is simpler, faster and more accessible – especially for non-UK officers who may not have biometric IDs. You can complete your identity verification using standard documents.
Acceptable forms of identification include a valid passport (biometric or non-biometric), driving license, residence permit or a national identity card. For proof of address, recent bank statements or utility bills. This makes it easy for both UK and overseas individuals to comply with Companies House requirements without unnecessary delays or complications.
Linking your personal code: Once verified, you’ll receive a companies house personal code. This code will be needed for future filings with Companies House and whenever you wish to incorporate a new company or make any changes to officer details in existing company.
Impacts of Companies House identity verification launch on existing companies and officers
Transition period: For the existing companies, directors, PSCs, and individuals in charge of filing statutory documents on behalf of the companies have a transition period of 12 months after autumn 2025. This means that all individuals must be registered by spring 2026.
Filing restrictions: Once the transition period is over, only verified individuals or authorised agents can file documents with Companies House.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the Companies House identity verification launch helps foster a crime-free economic environment for companies registered in the UK. The verification is mandatory for directors, PSCs, and individuals who file documents with Companies House on behalf of the company. The process will be made mandatory in autumn 2025; however, voluntary registration is in progress. There is a 12 months transition period for existing businesses from autumn 2025.
The verification can be done directly with Companies House or by using an authorised agent like BusinAssist. We are authorised by Companies House to do verification checks on behalf of company officers. To understand the documents needed, visit our identification page https://businassist.com/id-page.php.
Contact us for more information on identity verification at [email protected].
FAQs
Q: Can an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) help me with my Companies House identity verification process?
Ans: Yes, an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) can help businesses to complete their identity verification check with Companies House.
Q: How do overseas directors complete identity verification if they can’t access GOV.UK One Login?
Ans: If overseas directors can’t access GOV.UK One login, they can verify their identity with Companies House using an authorised agent or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Q: How to meet the Companies House identity verification standard?
Ans: To satisfy the Companies House standard of identity verification, one is required to prove their identity in two ways, first via three documents identification along with the key personal information, then verified either through Companies House direct verification or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Q: Who is required to complete identity verification with Companies House?
Ans: Persons obliged to carry out verification with Companies House are directors, persons with significant control (PSCs), and those who file the statutory documents on behalf of the company.
Q: Is identity verification mandatory for non-UK residents who are directors or PSCs?
Ans: Yes, identity verification of directors and PSCs who are both UK-based and non-UK-based is mandatory.
Q: What documents do I need for identity verification?
Ans: For identity verification, acceptable forms of ID include passports, UK or EU photo cards, driving licenses, biometric residence permits, and ID cards from EEA countries incorporating biometric chips.
Q: How long does the identity verification process take?
Ans: The duration to confirm the identity of a person varies, but is typically a few minutes or even a few days, depending on the simplicity of the verification process and the type of methods used to verify.
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The BusinAssist Editorial Team has 15+ years of experience writing about small business and company formation in the UK, Canada, and the USA. We simplify complex processes and provide practical insights to help entrepreneurs succeed. Business Assist with BusinAssist – your partner for business success.