Companies House sets deadline for ID verification

Companies House has set a deadline for mandatory ID verification checks in its fight against fraud.

From November 18 2025, directors and people with significant control (PSCs) of companies will need to verify their identities.

The new measures form part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which introduces new laws to tackle economic crime and deliver a more reliable companies register.

Companies House says the rollout of identity verification will give more assurance about who is setting up, running and controlling companies in the UK. “Companies of all sizes will benefit from more accurate and trustworthy register data and greater protections against fraud,” it said in its announcement.

From November, new directors will need to verify their identity to incorporate a company or be appointed to an existing company, while existing directors will need to confirm they have verified their identity at the same time as they file their next annual confirmation statement, during a 12-month transition period.

Existing PSCs will need to verify their identity in line with an appointed day within 12 months of when mandatory identity verification begins.

Identity verification requirements for limited partnerships, corporate directors of companies, corporate members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and officers of corporate PSCs will commence later.

Since April 8 2025, individuals have been able to voluntarily verify their identity using GOV.UK One Login or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Companies House estimates that 6 to 7 million individuals will need to verify their identity by mid-November 2026. However, recent research claims only 200,000, or less than 3% have done so to date.

Individuals can verify their identity with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login, or an Authorised ACSP. 

In most cases, individuals will only need to verify their identity once. Once they have successfully verified their identity they will receive a personal code from Companies House. From November 18, users will need to provide their personal code and a verification statement confirming they have successfully verified their identity for each company role they hold.

“Identity verification will play a key role in improving the quality and reliability of our data and tackling misuse of the companies register,” said Companies House CEO Louise Smyth CBE. 

“By introducing identity verification through GOV.UK One Login, we’re using technology to make life easier for people. It means companies can prove who’s behind them in a fast, secure, and user-friendly way,” said AI and Digital Government Minister Feryal Clark.

“This is us driving better services, accurate data, and business growth to make government work for everyone.”