ID Verification at Companies House Will Soon Be Mandatory:
Here’s What You Need to Know
Farida Hashim
Trainee Solicitor
Big changes are coming to Companies House. Starting in 2025, identity verification will become a legal requirement for many people involved with UK companies. Whether you’re a director, a person with significant control (PSC), or an authorised agent, this affects you.
Before we begin, if you would like assistance with verifying your identity with Companies House, please contact us here.
Let’s break down what’s happening, who it applies to, and how you can get prepared.
What Is Companies House and What’s Changing?
Companies House is the official register of companies in the UK. It holds essential information about companies, including directors, shareholders, and annual filings.
To improve transparency, fight fraud, and ensure accurate records, Companies House will soon require identity verification for key individuals involved with companies.
Who Needs to Verify Their Identity?
Verification will become mandatory for several groups:
- Company directors
- People with significant control (PSCs)
- Anyone filing on behalf of a company (e.g. a company secretary)
- Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs), such as accountants or solicitors acting on your behalf
Key Dates to Know
- 18 March 2025: ACSPs must verify their identity if they want to register as an authorised agent.
- 8 April 2025: Directors and PSCs can begin verifying their identity voluntarily. Later, this will become a legal requirement.
- Autumn 2025: Your Companies House personal code will be required for various filings and appointments. You can find more details on this below.
How to Verify Your Identity
There are three main ways to verify your identity:
1. Online Verification (UK residents)
You’ll be asked a few questions to determine the best method. Verification is typically done through a mobile app or a web browser.
You’ll need one of the following:
- Biometric passport
- UK driving licence
- UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
- UK Biometric Residence Card (BRC)
- UK Frontier Worker Permit (FWP)
2. In-Person Verification (UK only)
If online verification isn’t possible, you can visit a participating Post Office
3. Through an Authorised Agent (UK and overseas)
From April 2025, you can ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify your identity for you.
What Happens Once You Verify?
After successful verification, you’ll be issued a Companies House personal code, which is a unique identifier linked to you, not your company.
From autumn 2025, this code will be required when:
- Filing a confirmation statement
- Being appointed as a director
- Becoming a PSC
If you’re already a director or PSC, you’ll use this code to link your verified identity to Companies House’s records. This is a legal requirement.
What Do You Need to Do with Your Personal Code?
It depends on your role and when you took it on:
- Current directors: From autumn 2025, include your personal code in your company’s next confirmation statement.
- New directors (after autumn 2025): Provide your code during your appointment or company incorporation.
- PSCs: Use your code to identify yourself from autumn 2025 onward.
- ACSPs: You’ll need the code to register as an authorised agent with Companies House.
What If You Don’t Verify?
Failure to verify your identity means you will not be able to:
- File anything at Companies House
- Start or incorporate a company
- Act as an authorised agent
Why Is This Happening?
The move to mandatory identity verification is part of broader reforms to:
- Combat fraudulent and illegal use of companies
- Improve trust in the business environment
- Ensure more accurate public records
Final Thoughts
This upcoming change is a major step toward greater accountability in the UK corporate world.
Take note of the key dates and start planning now so you’re not caught off guard. Whether you’re running a business or helping others do so, identity verification will soon be part of the process, and preparation is key.
If you require any assistance with verifying your identity with Companies House, please contact us here.
For specialist advice and support. Please get in touch with our corporate solicitors in London by contacting the GOOD LAW INTL office.
A warm welcome to GOOD LAW INTL. To learn more about us and our practice areas, we invite you to browse through our website and contact us or book an appointment.
