The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (Act) made significant changes to UK company law since the Companies Act 2006 was introduced. It was enacted to prevent people from setting up companies for illegal purposes. Among its provisions, Companies House ID verification is now a requirement to enhance transparency and accountability.

One of the key changes introduced under the Act is identity verification (IDV). It will be mandatory for certain individuals to verify their identity with Companies House. This article will focus on the timelines for ID verification, the importance of doing so and failure to comply with such a requirement. Companies House ID verification becomes an essential part of regulatory compliance. 

What is IDV and who needs to verify their identity?

The UK Government recently confirmed that IDV will come into effect from 18 November 2025. IDV is the process of confirming that a person is who they claim to be. This ensures the integrity and transparency of public records at Companies House. It also reduces the risk of fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes. Indeed, Companies House ID verification acts as a safeguard against such offenses.

The new IDV requirements will apply to the following:

  • directors of a company
  • members of a limited liability partnership (LLP); 
  • people with significant control (PSCs) of a company or an LLP; 
  • a relevant officer of all registrable relevant legal entities (RLEs) (also referred to as corporate PSCs) of a company or LLP – in this context, relevant officer will mean a director of the RLE.
  • all individuals filings documents at Companies House, either on their behalf or on behalf of another, such as a company secretary.
  • directors of overseas companies that have a UK establishment registered at Companies House.

It is also important to note that where agents, such as solicitors and accountants, are involved in filing documents, incorporating companies or verifying another person’s identity, they must also verify their own identity. They must be registered with Companies House as an authorized corporate service provider (ACSP) and demonstrate that they are registered with a UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervisory body.

What is the timeline for IDV?

As noted above, IDV will come into force from 18 November 2025. From this date, IDV will become a legal requirement for directors, LLP members, and PSCs in connection with incorporation and new appointments. Existing directors, LLP members, and PSCs will need to verify their identity at the same time as filing their annual confirmation statement. This must be done during a 12-month transition period. This aspect of the Companies House ID verification ensures everyone complies with the timeline.

By Spring 2026, those that are filing documents at Companies House must comply with IDV requirements. Any agents that are filing on behalf of a company must be registered with Companies House as an ACSP. Furthermore, the 12-month transition period ends in Autumn 2026. This means that all existing directors, LLP members, and PSCs will need to have completed IDV by then.

How is IDV carried out and what documents do I need?

There are two routes available to verify your identity:

  1. Direct verification through Companies House – this could be via their website, through a dedicated Companies House App or in-person at a UK post office.

You can verify your identity directly free of charge. However, you will need to create a Companies House account and provide certain personal information. If you are using the Companies House App, you will need to take a photo as part of the verification process. 

  • Through ACSPs who will charge you for their verification services.

If you have complied with the IDV requirement, individuals will receive an email from Companies House confirming their verification date and unique verification code. Please note that these codes must be stored securely, as they will be needed for future appointments and filings. If you are using the direct verification method, we recommend that you take a photo of the acknowledgment page. This should be done at the end of the process so that this is available for your records.

Companies House has provided a list of documents that can be used to verify your ID. Please refer to this link for further information (What you need to verify your identity).

What are the consequences for failing to verify my identity?

It is critical that IDV is carried out before appointment as failure to comply could result in the following consequences:

  • financial penalties imposed on companies and individuals.
  • disqualification of directors, LLP members and any other equivalent officers from holding office.
  • imprisonment.
  • non-acceptance of filings, including incorporation or changes to the register by Companies House.

Similarly, if an ACSP fails to comply with IDV requirements, the agent will be committing an office. This means that the company directors, LLP members, and any other equivalent officers could receive a penalty or face criminal prosecution. If such failure occurs, Companies House has the power to cease the ACSP’s authorized agent’s status. This would prevent the agent from being able to file or verify their clients’ identity in the future.

Small businesses must ensure that they comply with the IDV requirement. The penalties and prosecution could seriously damage your reputation, as well as having a significant impact on your cashflow. Compliance with Companies House ID verification could prevent such negative outcomes.

Please note that Farringford Legal does not provide IDV services for clients. However, we are happy to help if you have any questions regarding IDV. Should you wish to utilize the services of an ACSP, we can provide contact details for providers that are registered as ACSPs and are offering IDV services. Please let us know if you would like us to provide us those details. This is particularly if you need assistance with Companies House ID verification.