Keeping your company compliant should be simple, not stressful. The new Companies House ID checks regime is the next big change directors and people with significant control (PSC) need to plan for. From 18 November 2025, identity verification becomes a legal requirement, with a phased rollout over 12 months. New directors will need to verify before they can be appointed, and existing directors, PSCs and limited liability partnership (LLP) members will have a defined window tied to the company’s next confirmation statement. The aim is to improve data quality and reduce fraud on the public register – and the process should be quick for most people, whether you verify via gov.uk One Login or through an authorised agent.
We break the change into practical steps: who is in scope, what needs to happen, how timing works and what good preparation looks like. For context, Companies House expects 6-7m individuals to verify during the transition window to mid-November 2026 (Companies House, 2025). At the same time, the UK continues to see regular business churn – 65,450 new businesses were created in Q4 2024 alone, with 69,435 closures in the same quarter – a reminder that accurate company data matters for lenders, suppliers and customers alike (ONS, 2025). If you would like us to handle the admin and keep you on track, our company secretarial service is built for exactly this kind of reform.
What changes and when
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) introduced identity verification for directors, PSCs and others connected to UK companies. From 18 November 2025, legal requirements start, with Companies House phasing ID checks over 12 months to support a smooth transition.
Key dates and triggers
- New directors and new LLP members: Must verify before appointment is notified. They cannot act until verified.
- New PSCs: Must verify within 14 days of the PSC change being notified.
- Existing directors and existing PSCs: Must verify during the 12-month transition period, aligned with the company’s next confirmation statement date, with all verifications completed by mid-November 2026.
- People who file on behalf of companies: Wider filer verification is scheduled to follow after the initial rollout.
Official guidance is updated regularly. Start with: Companies House confirms identity verification rollout and Identity verification – Changes to UK company law.
Who must verify and how it works
Verification applies to the following people.
- Directors: Individuals of UK companies and certain overseas entities where relevant.
- People with significant control (PSCs): Individuals who meet the PSC tests.
- LLP members: Individual members fall in scope.
- Agents and filers: People submitting filings for companies will also be brought into scope.
There are two ways to complete Companies House ID checks.
- Direct verification: Use gov.uk One Login and the Companies House identity verification service.
- Through an authorised agent: An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) performs verification against Companies House standards.
Companies House has made voluntary verification available already, so directors who want to get ahead can complete the process early. That can help avoid a rush once the legal duty begins.
What directors should do now
Preparation is straightforward. Treat it as you would any new statutory requirement and build it into your year-end and confirmation-statement routines.
- Photo ID and proof of liveness: Ensure directors and PSCs have valid photo ID and are comfortable using digital verification.
- Registered email and access: Confirm each individual’s email and phone details are current and that they can access gov.uk One Login.
- Board-level plan: Add identity verification to your annual governance calendar and designate who will coordinate and monitor status.
- Overseas directors: Check documentation and connectivity early. Overseas verifications can take longer, so plan ahead.
- Agent support: Decide whether to verify directly or use an authorised agent. We can complete checks for all relevant individuals and manage exceptions.
If you want us to coordinate everything, we can fold verification into our secretarial routines and report progress at your quarterly reviews.
Companies House ID checks: Practical timetable for 2025/26
To keep the moving parts clear, use your confirmation statement month as the anchor.
- Companies with a confirmation statement due soon after 18 November 2025: Move early. Directors and PSCs can verify as soon as they are invited.
- Companies with later statement dates in 2026: Schedule verification at least six to eight weeks ahead of filing to leave room for any issues.
- New appointments after 18 November 2025: Build verification into your onboarding checklist. No verification means no appointment.
We expect Companies House to send prompts to in-scope individuals. Still, the legal duty sits with each person and directors remain responsible for overall compliance.
What happens if you do nothing
Failure to verify can lead to filing restrictions, financial penalties and possible director disqualification. For new appointees, not verifying blocks the appointment entirely. For existing directors, missing your window risks knocked-back filings and avoidable disruption to banking, insurance and tendering. In short, treat identity verification as a core compliance task alongside accounts, corporation tax and the confirmation statement.
For scale, UK business structures remain company-heavy – companies account for 75.6% of VAT/PAYE-registered businesses (as at March 2024) – so the registers affected by these changes are substantial (ONS, 2024). Getting verification right helps maintain trust in the register and reduces friction in everyday transactions.
How we can help
We can manage Companies House ID checks end-to-end, reduce admin and keep your records tidy. Our approach is simple and built around first-principles thinking: identify the minimum steps needed to achieve compliance, automate where safe and monitor exceptions.
What we do for clients
- Verification workflow: We invite directors and PSCs, track completion and deal with follow-up.
- Evidence management: We store verification evidence securely and align it with your statutory registers.
- Change-of-control support: We run ID checks during share transfers, new appointments and group reorganisations.
- Filing assurance: We make sure your confirmation statement can be filed on time with verified individuals in place.
- Board reporting: We provide status dashboards so you can see what is pending at a glance.
Explore our company secretarial service for the full scope, check dates and deadlines to plan your year, or contact us to set up your verification plan.
First-principles checklist for directors
Working from first principles keeps the process clean and predictable.
- Scope mapping: List all in-scope individuals. Cross-check with your PSC register.
- Identity readiness: Confirm ID documents are current, names match the register and any recent changes are reflected.
- Verification route: Decide whether to to go direct via gov.uk or via agent.
- Cut-off points: Fix internal cut-offs ahead of your confirmation statement month.
- Exception handling: Prepare for edge cases like name mismatches, expired passports or overseas directors without UK-issued ID.
- Audit trail: Keep a dated record of verification steps for internal assurance.
What to expect during verification
For direct verification, individuals typically use a smartphone to scan a passport or driving licence and complete a short liveness check. The Companies House identity verification standard sets out acceptable evidence and the steps an agent must follow when verifying on your behalf – a helpful read if you want detail on the process and standards.
If you prefer us to act as your agent, we will request consent, perform checks that meet the standard and confirm when each individual is verified. We then reconcile your statutory registers and update your internal checklist for the next cycle.
Ready to prepare for November 2025
The Companies House ID checks regime starts on 18 November 2025, with a 12-month transition. If you are appointing new directors after that date, verification comes first. If you are an existing director or PSC, you will verify in line with your next confirmation statement and you will need a tidy audit trail. We can handle this as part of your company secretarial, keep your filings moving and leave you to focus on running the business.
If you would like us to plan and complete your Companies House ID checks, get in touch or read more about our company secretarial service. We will set up a simple, reliable process and keep you compliant through 2025/26.