Companies House changes - verification of identity

As part of ongoing reforms which are being introduced as part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, mandatory identity verification is being introduced for anyone being appointed as a director or a person with significant control.

Identity verification is a new legal requirement. It will help to deter people intending to use companies for illegal purposes.

By law, you will need to verify your identity to confirm you are who you claim to be.

This will:

• reduce the risk of fraud

• improve transparency, trust and accuracy of information on the Companies House register

You’ll need to verify your identity if you are:

• a director

• the equivalent of a director – this includes members, general partners and managing officers

• a person with significant control (PSC)

• an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) - also known as a Companies House authorised agent

• someone who files for a company - for example, a company secretary

The new rules come into effect on a voluntary basis from 8 April 2025 and are expected to become mandatory from Autumn 2025.

Online

You can verify online if you have the identity documents or information required. This route uses GOV.UK One Login to verify your identity and is free of charge.

You’ll need one of the following types of photo ID:

• biometric passport from any country

• UK photo driving licence (full or provisional)

• UK biometric residence permit (BRP)

• UK biometric residence card (BRC)

• UK Frontier Worker permit (FWP)

If you do not have any of these types of ID but live in the UK, you may be able to verify with bank or building society details instead. You’ll need to use the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service to find out if you can verify this way.

This service will be available from 8 April 2025.

In person at a Post Office

If you cannot verify online and you live in the UK, you may be able to verify your identity in person at a Post Office. You’ll need to use the ’Verify your identity for Companies House’ service first to find out if you can verify this way. This route uses GOV.UK One Login to verify your identity and is free of charge.

Find out more about verifying at a Post Office, including what you’ll need.

Using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

You can ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify your identity on your behalf. For example, an accountant or solicitor. This is also known as a Companies House authorised agent. When an agent has agreed to verify your identity, you will need to provide documents from an approved list as evidence of your identity. They may charge a fee for their services.

When you have successfully verified, you’ll get a unique identifier known as a Companies House personal code. The code is personal to you, not your company or a company you work for.

From autumn 2025, you’ll need it for various reasons. For example:

• when you file your confirmation statement

• if you are appointed as a director

• if you become a person with significant control (PSC)

If you are currently a director or a PSC, you’ll need to use your Companies House personal code to connect your verified identity to any existing appointments. This is a legal requirement and will ensure that we know the correct identity is linked to any roles you hold.

You may need to share this code with people you trust to file on your behalf, or for your company. Keep this information secure, as you would with other unique codes such as your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for HMRC.

Identity verification makes it much more difficult for criminals to impersonate someone, but not impossible.

You will not be able to:

• make any filings

• start a new company or entity

If you do not comply with identity verification requirements on time, you will be committing an offence and may have to pay a financial penalty or fine.

This is potentially going to be one of the most challenging changes being brought in as part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and we will endeavour to help clients with this over the coming months. If you would like any more information about this topic, do please contact me or your usual Albert Goodman contact.