Companies House has announced mandatory ID Verification for directors and persons with significant control (‘PSC’) will commence on 18 November 2025.

They are contacting companies and LLPs to provide further information on the transition and urging businesses to get ahead of the curve in respect of ID Verification.

The deadline for each entity will be linked to their annual confirmation statement date and so could come around quickly as ID verification will be required for all directors included on the next annual confirmation statement from 18 November 2025, as well as any new officers appointed after the commencement date.

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 the UK government has introduced identity verification for individuals involved in UK corporates. This is a major reform aimed at improving corporate transparency and tackling economic crime.

Who will be required to verify their ID?

All new and existing:

• Directors
• Persons with significant control (‘PSC’)
• Members of limited liability partnerships
• Director equivalents (eg general partners and managing officers)
• Someone who files for a company (eg company secretary).

Before attempting to verify their identity, individuals should ensure that the personal details they have already disclosed to Companies House (if any) are accurate and up-to-date.

When will ID Verification be required?

Despite the twelve-month transition from 18 November 2025, the deadline for the directors of each entity is linked to the annual confirmation statement.
From 18 November 2025, ID verification will be required:

• for new directors incorporating a company, and before being appointed to an existing company;
• for existing directors at the same time as the company files their next annual confirmation statement; and
• within a specific 14 day window for PSCs.

For PSCs the 14 day window is dependent on whether they are also a director of the company:

• For existing appointments as at 18 November 2025:
  
  - if the PSC is also a director of the company, the 14 day window will commence with the confirmation statement date.
  - if the PSC is not a director of the company, the 14 day window will commence with the start of their birth month following 18 November 2025 (eg a deadline of 14 December 2025 if born on 20 December).
• For new appointments from 18 November 2025, the deadline will be 14 days from the date the PSC is registered with Companies House.

The Companies House website is expected to show the deadlines for each director and PSC from 18 November 2025 – this should be helpful for those that have different roles or roles in more than one entity as the deadline depends on whether the PSC is also a director of the same company.

By the end of the 12-month transition period it is therefore expected that all relevant individuals will have had their identity verified.

Records of ID verification will be maintained at Companies House so it will only be necessary to verify someone's identity once, except in specific circumstances (eg if someone changes their name).

What happens if you fail to verify ID?

Individuals will be committing an offense and may have to pay a fine if they don’t comply with ID Verification once it becomes a legal requirement.

Non-compliance may result in the entity and other directors committing an offence, the inability to file documents or create a new company at Companies House, and disqualification from acting as a director.

How does ID verification work?

There will be two methods of ID verification available (direct and indirect), both having the same level of identity assurance. A personal code will be generated once ID has been verified, and this code will be required alongside a verification statement for each company role held.

Direct – via Companies House and the GOV.UK One Login

There should be no charge for ID verification using any of the following methods outlined by Companies House.

Individuals can verify their identity directly with Companies House via the GOV.UK One Login.  This is a free service which matches a person to their primary ID document (e.g. a passport or photo driving licence) using biometric technology. The aim is to make the process as easy as possible and verification can be done via a smartphone.

Those who do not have an acceptable type of photo ID but who live in the UK may still be able to verify their identity using their bank or building society details and National Insurance number through the GOV.UK service. This will also require the applicant to answer some security questions.

Individuals that cannot verify online, may be able to complete the ID verification process that they started on the Companies House ID service at a Post Office that offers 'in branch’ verification.

Indirect – using an agent

For those unable to use or access the direct service ID verification can also be carried out by an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) being an intermediary such as a professional services firm or company formation agent. Please be aware that ACSPs will charge for this service.

While RSM does not intend to offer ID verification service, we can provide the details of ACSPs we work with upon request.

Every individual must interact personally with GOV.UK or an ACSP to verify their identity. No-one can do this on someone else’s behalf.

Everyone whose identity has been verified will receive a unique identity code which will need to be kept in a safe place. This code will need to be disclosed for certain filings at Companies House once mandatory ID verification has been implemented.

If you would like further information about how the Companies House reforms might impact your business, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Trish Sankey or your usual RSM contact.

_{This article was updated on 26 August 2025 to reflect the latest guidance from Companies House regarding the implementation of mandatory ID verification for directors and persons with significant control (PSCs), effective from 18 November 2025.}

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