Directors Must Verify Their ID from 2025: A Guide to the New Companies House Rules

Big changes are on the way for company directors, majority shareholders and anyone with significant control of a business.

From 18th November 2025, you will need to verify your identity with Companies House before you can set up, own or manage a Limited Company in the UK. 

This update is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), designed to bring greater transparency to the register, improve trust in company data, and help prevent fraud.  

Currently we can verify your ID internally using our Anti Money Laundering ID software, but this is changing to increase the verification process and the compliance required.  

Who needs to verify and when?  

• New Directors/PSC’s/Secretaries:  

You’ll need to verify your identity before incorporating a company or becoming a director, PSC or secretary after 18th November 2025.     

• Existing Directors, LLP members, general partners or other managing officers:  

You’ll be asked to verify your identity before you file your next confirmation statement.  

• Existing People with Significant Control (PSCs):  

You’ll be asked to verify your identity before you next file your confirmation statement.  

• Existing Secretaries or anyone carrying out filings on behalf of a company:  

You’ll be asked to verify your identity before you file your next confirmation statement. 

Over the next 12 months, everyone who falls into these categories will need to have completed verified their identity and have secure access to their ‘Companies House ID code’ for future use.  

How do you verify your identity?  

• The quickest and easiest way to complete ID verification is using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) who is approved by Companies House to complete the verification process.  

• Alternatively, you can complete this online, by using the GOV.UK One login.  

You’ll need:  

• A Companies House account (set up through GOV.UK One login) 

• Biometric photo ID such as a UK passport, UK photocard driving licence, or non-UK passport with a biometric chip. 

So, this is where we come in! Scroll to find out how we can help ⬇️ 

What should you do next?  

• Check who within your company needs to be verified (specified above in the section ‘Who needs to verify?’) 

• Get ahead of the deadline: Voluntary ID verification is already open, so it’s worth completing the process sooner rather than later. It’s a one-off process that lasts a lifetime.  

• Stay informed: The new rules are part of a wider set of changes, which have already implemented new regulations around company names, registered addresses, and email requirements. 

Whyfield Compliance Packages and options 

We know these changes might feel like just another thing to add to the ever-growing to do list, but we are here to help you through the ID verification process smoothly.  

Whyfield is a registered ACSP with Companies House, meaning that we can complete the verification on behalf of our clients. We will be contacting our clients directly to discuss our compliance packages in advance of their confirmation statement filing deadline.  

KEY INFORMATION

Dates for your diary: 

• 18th November 2025: Mandatory ID checks begin for directors and PSCs 
• 18th November 2026: All PSCs and existing directors must have completed verification 

Transition window: Until mid-November 2026, existing directors and PSCs can verify during their confirmation statement process. 

ASCPs: are authorised intermediaries, like accountants, to help clients verify ID compliantly.  

Act early: If you don’t take care of it early, you’re more likely to miss the confirmation statement deadline.  

We’ll be keeping a close eye on developments from Companies House and sharing updates as they happen. In the meantime, if you’d like to talk through how these changes affect your business, we’re always on hand to help: 

Call us: 01872 267 267 

Message us: 0777 49 39 111 

Email us: contact@whyfield.co.uk