From 18 November 2025, identity verification will become a legal requirement for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) under new rules introduced by Companies House. These changes are designed to strengthen transparency and prevent fraud and economic crime.

The core aim of the identity verification process is to answer one critical question:

• ‘Is this person who they say they are?’

This ensures that individuals appearing on the Companies House register are genuine, helping to protect the integrity of the UK corporate framework.

Verification can be done either directly with Companies House or through an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP) – a firm or individual already supervised under the UK’s AML regulations, such as accountants, solicitors, company formation agents and chartered secretaries.

Any third party carrying out identity checks for Companies House must be registered as an ACSP before doing so. Over time, only registered ACSPs will be able to file documents on behalf of clients.

When and how to verify identity

The requirement to verify the identity of a person depends on their role within a company and when they took up that role.

For directors

Starting from 18 November 2025:

Directors must provide their Companies House personal code with their company’s next confirmation statement. If the person is a director of multiple companies, they must do this for each company.

For new company formations, all proposed directors must submit their personal codes at the point of registration.

For people with significant control (PSCs)

1. If a director is also a PSC, they must provide their personal code separately for both roles. Directors submit their code with the confirmation statement; PSCs must use a dedicated service within 14 days of the confirmation statement date. This service will be available when the requirement comes into force on 18 November 2025.
2. If a PSC is not a director of the same company, they will need to provide their personal code within the first 14 days of their birth month.
3. If they become a PSC after 18 November 2025, they must submit their personal code either during registration or within 14 days of being added to the register.

The role and responsibility of ACSPs

ACSPs – also referred to as authorised agents – are central to the Companies House verification process. These organisations can verify the identity of directors and PSCs on behalf of their clients, but this carries significant responsibility. By performing identity checks, the ACSP assumes full legal accountability for the accuracy and compliance of those checks. While different from standard customer due diligence (CDD) checks used for anti-money laundering (AML), these identity checks must meet the specific Companies House identity verification standard.

Failure to meet the required verification standard can result in:

• suspension or removal of ACSP status
• loss of the ability to file with Companies House from spring 2026
• financial penalties or even prosecution
• damage to professional reputation.

ACSP suspension and cessation

On 10 October 2025, Companies House published its first list of suspended or ceased ACSPs. This includes firms under investigation, those that have failed to comply with legal requirements, or those that voluntarily gave up their status.

The list is updated every two weeks – but only if there have been changes. If no updates are necessary, the list will remain unchanged.

Get ready early

Although identity verification becomes mandatory from 18 November 2025, Companies House strongly encourages early verification. Doing so can help prevent delays in company filings and ensure your business remains compliant when the new requirements take effect.

For ACSPs and companies alike, the message is clear: prepare now to avoid disruption later.