Companies House has made it mandatory for directors, people with significant control (PSCs), and limited liability partnership (LLP) members to verify their identity by 18th November, 2025. The mandatory requirement applies to new appointments and company incorporations, with existing companies receiving a 12-month transition period. However, existing companies may be required to verify their identity after the mandatory period, depending on certain circumstances.
Now that Companies House has confirmed the mandatory verification date, what does this mean to companies? This article will guide you on what is needed and how to complete it.
Understanding companies’ obligations under identity verification
Before getting started, companies must understand their obligations under the new identity verification rules. The first obligation is to ensure that directors, PSCs, and LLP members undergo identity verification before appointment or incorporation.
The existing director must verify their identity by their next confirmation statement. Directors will not be able to file confirmation statements if they fail to produce the Companies House personal code. While existing companies have a 12-month transition period, some directors may need to verify after 18th November 2025, if their confirmation statements are due after the mandatory date.
Since the primary goal of identity verification is to improve transparency in the public register, companies must ensure that records of directors, PSCs, and LLP members are accurate and current, especially their date of birth. To prevent breaches, the company must not allow officers to operate without verification.
Key timeline of the Companies House identity verification process
The whole verification process started in March 2025, when companies registered as Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs).
March 18th, 2025 – Companies registered as Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs).
April 8th, 2025 – Voluntary identity verification for companies was launched.
November 25th, 2025 – This is when identity verification becomes compulsory for directors, PSCs, and LLP members. This is in connection with new appointments and company incorporation.
By Spring 2026 – Identity verification will become compulsory for those filing documents with Companies House. These include secretaries, whereas third-party service providers have to register as ACSPs.
By the end of 2026 – This will be the end of the 12-month transition period from the compulsory identity verification date. Every company director, PSC, and LLP member must have verified their identity. This is when Companies House will start the compliance checks.
What are the requirements for identity verification?
The common requirements include;
– Government-issued ID
UK passport or a biometric passport (not expired)
Full or provisional UK or EU photocard driving licence
Biometric EEA national identity photocard
– UK bank account with a national insurance number.
– A UK biometric residence permit or card
– UK Frontier worker permit
All the documents must be valid
How to complete identity verification with Companies House
There are two ways companies can verify their identity:
· Directly with Companies House
· Through ACSP
Through Companies House
Companies can verify the identity of directors, PSCs, and LLP members directly with Companies House in three ways. All three ways will require you to have a GOV.UK One Login account, which can be completed online, is free.
GoV.UK web service: With a GOV.UK One Login account, you can directly log in to complete the verification process.
GOV.UK One Login Check App: This free service uses a mobile app to scan your passport or UK driving licence and perform a facial recognition scan. You’ll need to create or sign in to a GOV.UK One Login account and follow the on-screen prompts to prove your identity.
In person at the selected post office: If you live in the UK, you can verify your identity in person at a participating Post Office. You must first use the “Verify your identity for Companies House” service on the GOV.UK website to check if this option is available to you.
Through Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs)
This is a business or an individual who is authorised by Companies House to verify identity on behalf of the company. An ACSP can be an accountant, a company formation agent, or a solicitor. The verification service involves a fee.
To act as an ACSP, the service provider must
· Register with Companies House as an authorised ACSP
· Be supervised under the Money Laundering Regulations by HMRC, Financial Conduct Authority, or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
· Keep records of the company for five years after the verification process.
· Perform customer due diligence on those you are verifying the identity of on their behalf.
As a new regulation, many companies may not understand the verification process, making the ACSPs convenient for a seamless process.
Why use an ACSP?
Time efficiency: An ACSP saves you a lot of time, especially for those new to Companies House. Businesses can avoid struggling through the process and make the process efficient and smooth. They also ensure the verification is complete before the applicable deadline, helping companies avoid penalties.
Expert support: ACSPs are familiarwith the requirements and the verification process, and ensure all documents are accurate and up-to-date.
Assured of compliance: Before an individual or a company is authorised as an ACSP, they must adhere to the strictest anti-money laundering regulations.
Convenience: For business owners new to Companies House, ACSPs ensure that they ask for all the documents, complete ID checks, and confirm verification.
How BusinAssist can help with the verification process
As an authorised ACSP, BusinAssist can help companies complete their verification process and comply with Companies House legal requirements. Acting as a regulated intermediary for Companies House, BusinAssist simplifies the process for companies that cannot complete the process or prefer professional help.
Our verification process caters to both UK and non-UK residents, offering convenience and reducing compliance risks. Once the verification process is complete, directors, PSCs, or LLP members will receive the Companies House Personal Code via email, which will be used when submitting documents or filing statutory requirements.
No need to worry about unorganized paperwork of all the requirements, cause our process is digitized. This means forms, documents, and communications will be handled online. This makes the process effective and seamless regardless of your location.
Why wait till the rush hour? BusinAssist’s verification process helps you meet the compliance requirements before the set deadline—no need to worry and struggle through the process. Contact them at [email protected], and they will make the identity check seamless for your business and members.
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