Implementation Date for Identity Verification by Companies House Published
Mandatory Identity Verification for UK Company Directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) Coming into Effect on November 18, 2025
Starting from November 18, 2025, Companies House will enforce mandatory identity verification for all directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) of UK companies, as part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA).
Key mandatory identity verification requirements are as follows:
- New directors will be required to verify their identity before incorporating a new company or prior to their appointment to an existing one.
- Existing directors will need to confirm their identity verification within 14 days of filing their company’s next annual confirmation statement, during a 12-month transition period starting November 18, 2025.
- New PSCs (those who become a PSC on or after November 18, 2025) will need to verify their identity within 14 days from the date they are notified as PSCs with Companies House.
- Existing PSCs will have different deadlines depending on their circumstances:
- If also a director of the company, they will need to verify by the due date of the company’s next confirmation statement after November 18, 2025.
- If not a director, the verification period starts from the first day of their birth month as recorded on the register.
The identity verification process is generally a one-off step. Upon successful verification, Companies House will issue a personal identity code to the individual. This code must be used for any future appointments or filings without repeating the verification process.
Verification can be done directly online with Companies House free of charge, using photographic identification such as a biometric passport or photo driving licence for UK residents. Overseas residents must use a biometric passport from any country. Alternatively, individuals can use an Authorised Corporate Services Provider (ACSP) who are registered and authorised by Companies House to conduct identity verification.
This phased implementation over 12 months aims to enhance the reliability and transparency of the companies register and help prevent economic crime by confirming the identity of those who run and control UK companies. Additional related requirements will apply to members of Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) and directors of overseas companies with UK establishments, who are expected to fall under similar verification obligations starting the same date.
In summary, the mandatory identity verification requirements effective from November 18, 2025, include compulsory pre-appointment verification for new directors and PSCs, identity confirmation by existing directors at their next confirmation statement filing, and staged deadlines for PSCs based on their status—enforced via a government-issued unique identity code verified directly or through authorised agents.
[1] Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 [2] Companies House: Identity verification for directors and people with significant control [3] Companies House: Identity verification for directors and people with significant control: guidance for companies [4] Companies House: Identity verification for directors and people with significant control: guidance for individuals [5] Companies House: Authorised Corporate Services Providers
