Companies House Identity Verification – What You Need to Know

Companies House Identity Verification – What You Need to Know

You may have received a recent email from Companies House regarding new identity verification requirements under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. This is part of a broader government initiative to make UK companies more transparent and reduce economic crime.

Here’s what you need to know – and what you should do next.

What is changing?

From autumn 2025, it will become a legal requirement for the following individuals to verify their identity with Companies House:

• Company directors
• People with significant control (PSCs)
• Anyone delivering documents to Companies House on behalf of a company

This means that simply setting up a company or being appointed as a director will no longer be enough – Companies House will need proof of who you are.

What is identity verification?

Identity verification will involve proving who you are using approved methods, likely to include:

• Uploading ID documents (e.g. passport, driving licence)
• A photo or video check to confirm your identity

More details and the official process will be rolled out ahead of the 2025 deadline.

Why is this happening?

The aim is to:

• Make it harder for fraudulent or fake companies to be created
• Increase transparency over who is really behind UK companies
• Improve the overall reliability of the information held on the Companies House register

What do I need to do right now?

1. Forward the Companies House email to all company directors and PSCs, especially if you’re an agent who received it on the company’s behalf.
2. Stay informed – Companies House will release further guidance and tools in due course.
3. Complete your verification – link here

How we can help

We’ll be keeping a close eye on developments and will support our clients with:

• Guidance on the identity verification process
• Help setting up any necessary Companies House accounts
• Ensuring your company records are up to date and compliant

If you have any questions about the upcoming changes or need help reviewing your company structure, don’t hesitate to get in touch.