Companies House Identity Verification for Directors and PSCs: 2025 Compliance Guide

From the 18th of November 2025, Companies House will introduce a major new legal requirement where all company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) must verify their identity before making filings. This reform aims to combat economic crime, improve corporate transparency, and ensure the UK’s company register remains credible.

For businesses, understanding and acting on these changes early is essential to avoid operational disruption and penalties.

Who Must Verify Their Identity Under the New Rules?

The new identity verification requirements will affect approximately 6–7 million individuals associated with UK companies, making it one of the most significant changes to corporate compliance in recent years. These measures apply to anyone with a formal role in a company or limited liability partnership (LLP) who interacts with Companies House, including those filing documents on behalf of a company.

Specifically, the rules apply to:

• New directors appointed on or after 18 November 2025. Any new appointment cannot be registered without prior identity verification.
• Existing directors, who must verify their identity by the time of their next annual confirmation statement. This ensures that all directors currently listed on the public register meet the new standards.
• New and existing Persons with Significant Control (PSCs), including individuals who directly or indirectly hold more than 25% of a company’s shares or voting rights, or who otherwise have significant influence over company decisions.
• Individual members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs), who are now also required to verify their identities to ensure transparency across all forms of business structures.
• Individuals filing on behalf of companies through authorised agents, such as accountants, solicitors, or other ACSPs. These agents must ensure that the people they represent have completed identity verification before submitting filings.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failing to verify your identity under the new Companies House rules carries serious legal, financial, and operational consequences for both individuals and companies. Understanding these risks is crucial for maintaining compliance and avoiding disruption.

The risks of non-compliance include:

• It becomes a criminal offence for anyone to act as a director without verification.
• Companies allowing unverified directors may face substantial fines and penalties.
• Filings involving unverified directors or PSCs will be rejected, and public notices will be displayed on the company register.
• Discrepancies in personal information, such as names, previous addresses, or dates of birth, can delay or prevent verification, creating operational risks.

Companies House will phase in the rules over a 12-month period, allowing existing directors and PSCs time to comply. New directors cannot be appointed without prior verification. Working with an ACSP, such as a solicitor or accountant, provides a secure and compliant verification process.

Taking Action: How to Verify Your Identity

Directors and PSCs should act early to ensure their Companies House records are accurate and up to date. Verification can be completed voluntarily through the GOV.UK One Login system by submitting an approved photographic ID and answering security questions.

Once verified, individuals receive a unique Companies House personal code, valid for all appointments. This code must be provided when filing confirmation statements or registering new appointments, so it is essential to keep it safe and accessible.

Acting now ensures smooth compliance once the rules become mandatory and helps avoid delays, penalties, or operational disruption.

Why Early Compliance Matters

These identity verification rules, introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, are crucial for:

• Fighting fraud, money laundering, and bribery
• Enhancing trust for businesses and consumers
• Avoiding penalties, including criminal offences and director disqualification

Treating compliance as essential corporate housekeeping ensures a smooth transition once the rules become mandatory.

Please note that Warner Goodman LLP does not advise on or provide an identity verification service for Companies House ID purposes; companies will need to make their own arrangements to ensure compliance with the legislation.