A Director’s Guide to the New Companies House ID Verification

Big changes are coming to Companies House, and as your accountants, we want to make sure you’re fully prepared. Under the new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, all directors of UK companies will be required to verify their identity with Companies House.

This is a one-time process designed to combat fraud and increase the integrity of the UK’s company register. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you understand the new rules and guide you through the process.

Why is This Happening?

The government is taking a major step to make the UK a more secure place to do business. By ensuring everyone who holds a directorial position is a real, verified person, it becomes much harder for criminals to hide behind fake companies. This move increases transparency and trust for everyone.

What You Must Do: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide for Directors

The process is designed to be straightforward and can be completed in a few simple steps. You must complete this verification by your company’s next confirmation statement after November 18, 2025.

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

The easiest way to verify your identity is to have one of the following forms of ID ready:

  • A biometric passport from any country.
  • A UK photo driving licence (full or provisional).
  • A UK biometric residence permit (BRP).

Step 2: Choose Your Verification Method

You have two main options:

  1. Verify Directly with Companies House (Free): Use your own GOV.UK One Login account to complete the process. This can be done through an app on your smartphone, online with security questions, or in person at a Post Office.

  2. Verify via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) (Paid): You may choose to have your identity verified by a third party. While we are an ACSP ourselves, we have found that providing this as a standalone service is not economically viable for us to offer. Consequently, we do not provide this specific service directly. However, there are many other ACSPs available who can perform this verification on your behalf if you require assistance or cannot use the direct GOV.UK methods.

Step 3: Get Your Personal Code

Once your identity is successfully verified, Companies House will issue you a unique, personal code. This code is linked to you as an individual, not to a specific company.

Step 4: Use Your Code for Filings

You will need to provide this unique personal code whenever you are appointed to a new company or when you submit your company’s next confirmation statement. We will, of course, guide you on this when the time comes.

What Happens if You Don’t Verify Your ID?

This is a mandatory requirement with serious consequences for non-compliance. If you fail to verify your identity, you will be unable to:

  • File company documents with Companies House, including your annual confirmation statements.
  • Be appointed to a new company or incorporate a new business.
  • Act as a director, which is a criminal offence that could lead to fines or even disqualification.

It is critical to act on this to avoid legal penalties and ensure your company can continue to operate and file as required.