Identity crisis: Companies House introduces identify verification

As part of a drive to improve the quality of data held by Companies House, under the recently implemented Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, individuals within scope of the new rules will now be required to have their identities verified.

Identity Verification is being brought in under the tougher legislation so that all directors and Person’s with Significant Control (PSC’s) have to prove who they are.

This was implemented on a voluntary basis from 8 April 2025, but will become mandatory for filings made from Autumn 2025.

We are aware that Companies House have been emailing directors to advise of the changes and suggesting that they undertake the verification process during the voluntary period – rest assured that this is a process we can undertake for you in due course, as the mandation date draws nearer.

Who needs to verify their identity, and how do they do it?

You will need to have your identity verified to ensure that you can successfully file with Companies House if you are any of the following:

A director;
a member;
a general partner;
a managing officer;
a person with significant control, or
someone who files for the company (i.e., company secretary).

As with most other identity verification processes, the accepted forms of photo ID are:

Biometric passports from any country
UK full or provisional photo driving licences
UK Biometric Residence Permits and Cards
UK Frontier Worker Permits

You may also need your current address and the year that you moved in, to verify your occupancy in the UK.

Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSP) and ID Verification

Under the new legislation, eventually the only organisations that will be allowed to file documents on behalf of their clients are ACSPs. George Hay is a registered ACSP meaning there will be no change to the Company Secretarial services that we provide, including the formation of Companies.

ACSPs are also able to perform the function of verifying the identity of the above persons to enable filings to be made at Companies House from Autumn 2025.

You can also choose to verify your identity directly with Companies House which will involve using your GOV.UK One Login and providing the relevant evidence as detailed above.

Those in limited partnerships must use an ACSP for identity verification and filings as of 2026.

Once an identity is verified, a personal code will be issued, this code is what will be needed to enable filing of documents from Autumn 2025.

We are currently finalising the implementation of systems to enable us to undertake ID Verification for our clients, to ensure compliance with the new rules is as painless as possible.

We will then systematically review impacted clients, and complete the verification process well ahead of their next filing in the affected period. If you have concerns about the new identity verification process, please contact our team today.