Companies House Identity Verification – do you know what action to take?
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) brought into law various new powers for Companies House, but this had relatively little impact on the average company, with perhaps the exception of having to make sure a proper email and postal address were on the register.
However, part of the ECCTA includes a new identification verification system which comes into place from the 18th November 2025.
From 18th November 2025, documents that need to be filed for companies (e.g. on incorporation, annual accounts and confirmation statements) will only be able to be submitted by the company itself, or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Also, these submissions will only be accepted once the company has had the identity of directors verified, either directly with Companies House or via an ACSP.
The requirement also applies to new and existing Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) (generally individuals with a shareholding of more than 25%) and individuals who file information on behalf of companies.
Key points to note:
- Existing directors will have a 12-month transition period to complete verification, linked to their company’s next confirmation statement.
- New directors must verify their identity before their appointment is filed and before they act as a director.
- Failure to comply may result in financial penalties and restrictions on acting as a director.
Identify Verification can be undertaken in three ways:
- Directly with Companies House – using the GOV.UK One Login system and a valid photo ID Verify your identity for Companies House – GOV.UK
- Via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – such as our firm, which is registered and supervised under UK anti-money laundering regulations.
- In person at a Post Office, for those who cannot use the digital options
As a registered ACSP, bennettbrooks can support you through the companies house identity verification process. Our teams have been helping clients verify their identity for a number of months. It’s essential to undertake this process to ensure your company remains compliant. This is especially important if your annual confirmation statement is due shortly after the rules come into effect. Please get in touch if you have any questions around this.
If you would like bennettbrooks to assist you with the companies house identification verification process, please contact us as soon as possible by filling in the form below.
