Since 8 April 2025, Companies House has been offering a voluntary identity verification service.
However, from 18 November 2025 the need to verify the identity of those filing for businesses will become mandatory.
New directors and people of significant control are likely to face mandatory identity verification in the autumn with a wider expansion being implemented in 2026.
What is identity verification at Companies House?
To deter illegitimate filings, Companies House now seeks to verify that whoever is making a filing is who they claim to be.
This will cover anyone registering, running, controlling, or owning a UK company and is designed to crack down on economic crime.
While a cause of some extra paperwork for legitimate businesses, the aim is to make fraudulent filings too difficult for bad actors to continue trying.
Who needs to verify their identity, and when should they do it?
The staged implementation of the scheme is likely a source of confusion, but it was designed to make the transition process as smooth as possible.
Anyone can have their identity verified while it is in the voluntary phase, and anyone who has not done so yet should strongly consider it.
From autumn 2025, all new directors and people with significant control will have to verify their identity at the point of incorporation.
Existing directors and people with significant control will need to verify their identity within 12 months of their next confirmation statement.
The following individuals are required to verify their identity:
- Company directors
- Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)
- The equivalent of a director (e.g. LLP members, general partners)
- Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs)
- Anyone filing on behalf of a company (e.g. company secretaries)
Companies House will extend verification to other roles in the future, including:
- Individuals who file but are not yet covered
- Limited partnerships
- Corporate directors
- Corporate members of LLPs
- Officers of corporate PSCs
How can I verify my identity?
There are two main choices for verifying your identity.
- Directly through Companies House. This will involve using your GOV.UK One Login and you will need a biometric UK or foreign passport, UK driving licence, or residence permit to prove your identity, plus access to a device with a camera.
- Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). such as your accountant or solicitor, acting as your authorised agent.
Authorised agents are able to verify your identity manually, eg, in person or remotely via a document review process.
What documents does Companies House accept?
As with most identity verification, 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.
What evidence standards apply to ACSPs?
ACSPs will follow the Companies House identity verification standard. They must review and authenticate two original documents, from a designated list, and will be obligated to collect the person’s full name, date of birth, and address.
To ensure full compliance, ACSPs will retain records for seven years.
How long does my verification last?
Forever!
Or at least until something significant changes, at which point you will need to verify the change.
This will include your name or address changing.
If the verified person leaves the company, another person will need to be verified to ensure the filing does not get disrupted.
What happens if I can’t verify?
Failure to verify will mean that you cannot file, and thus your business will be in jeopardy.
Seek professional advice if you are struggling to get verified.
Is there a fee?
Directly verifying your identity with Companies House is free, but ACSPs are at liberty to charge for the service.
Why does this matter?
Identity checks are a way of warding off fraudsters and making people take filing more seriously.
Fake and joke names will be rejected, leaving only legitimate businesses with legitimate information on Companies House.
What action should I take?
Make sure you and your fellow directors complete your ID checks as soon as possible. The voluntary service is already available via Companies House.
To ensure you comply with this extra requirement from Companies House, Lamont Pridmore can complete the verification ID check for you, for a small additional fee, when we file your next annual Confirmation Statement.
