Companies House Identity Verification – What Directors & PSCs Need To Know
Starting from 18th November 2025, all company directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) are required to complete identity checks with Companies House.
Many individuals and organisations will be affected by these changes, and therefore, it is critical that you understand how the Companies House identity verification process will work before it is introduced. With this in mind, we have put together this short guide outlining what directors and PSCs need to know about the changes.
Why are Companies House identity verification checks being introduced?
The requirement for identity checks was brought in by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and is part of wider reforms to help prevent the misuse of UK companies and reduce financial crime. By requiring directors and PSCs to prove their identity, the aim is to ensure that only real and verified individuals are behind companies in the UK and that false or misleading details cannot be used to set up a new company.
If you’re a director
As part of the new rules surrounding Companies House identity verification, from the 18th November 2025, directors must verify their identity before filing their company’s next confirmation statement.
By way of example, if your company’s confirmation statement is due on 31 March 2026, all directors of your Company must be verified by that date.
You will also need to provide proof of verification for each director on the confirmation statement. If you do not do this, your company will not be able to submit the filing.
If you’re a director of multiple companies, you’ll need to provide proof of verification for each company separately.
To make sure that your company is prepared for these Companies House identity verification changes, check when your next confirmation statement is due.
It is also important to note that company directors appointed after the new rules are introduced in November will need to complete verification before the notice of their appointment is filed at Companies House, and crucially, before they proceed to act as a director.
If you’re a person with significant control (PSC)
Historically, PSCs have held few direct obligations to Companies House, with their details simply filed by the company. However, PSCs are also implicated by the new Companies House identity verification requirements.
If you are a PSC, you’ll now need to provide your proof of verification to Companies House. There will be an online service to do this when the requirement comes into effect on 18 November 2025.
How to verify your identity
Once you have obtained an understanding of how the new identity verification requirements relate to you, you next need to understand how to meet Companies House identity verification standards. There are two ways for directors and PSCs to verify as per the new rules. In both cases, you will need to provide formal documents and preparing these in advance can help to avoid delays.
1. You can verify your identity for Companies House online:
using the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house). This service uses GOV.UK One Login to verify your identity.
2. Using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider:
You can ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify your identity on your behalf. For example, your accountant or solicitor may be registered to complete this process. At GA Solicitors in Plymouth, we are a registered ACSP.
How we can help
As a registered ACSP, GA Solicitors can assist with the Companies House identity verification process.
Whether you are unsure how the new rules apply to you and if you are required to register, or would like to discuss how we can help you verify your identity, do not hesitate to get in touch with our expert team of corporate and commercial solicitors in Plymouth.
Please reach out to one of the team directly by emailing Jack.Ross@Gasolicitors.com, James.Peterson@GAsolicitors.com or Zena.Farouqa@GAsolicitors.com, or call 01752 203500.
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