Companies House ID verification – What you need to do

Companies House is introducing new rules to improve transparency and reduce fraud. If you are a company director, shareholder or person with significant control (PSC), you will soon need to verify your identity directly with Companies House.

Many of our clients rely on us to file Confirmation Statements. These changes will affect how we do that for you in future. Below is a summary of what is happening, when it is happening, and what you need to do.

What is changing?

Over the coming months, Companies House will require all directors, shareholders and PSCs to complete an identity check. This is being introduced to help ensure that only real, verified individuals are listed on the register.

Once you have verified your ID, you will be issued with a personal code. From late 2025 onwards, we will need this code in order to continue filing your Confirmation Statement or any other updates to Companies House.

Companies House has started emailing directors and PSCs directly to get the process underway. The exact go-live date has not been confirmed yet, but they have stated it will happen in autumn or winter 2025.

Why are these changes being made?

These new rules are part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. The goal is to make it harder for fraudulent or fake companies to operate. Right now, there’s very little stopping someone from registering a company with false information. In fact, fake directors, bogus shareholders and made-up addresses have been an issue for years.

These changes aim to:

• Increase trust in UK business

• Improve the accuracy of Companies House data

• Help tackle money laundering and economic crime

When does it start?

The exact launch date for identity verification hasn’t been confirmed yet. But we’re expecting it to begin in the Autumn or Winter of 2025.

In the meantime, Companies House is already making other changes, such as rejecting company names that look suspicious and checking information more thoroughly.

We’ll update you as soon as Companies House confirms the start date.

Who needs to be verified?

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

• A director of a UK company

• A member of a limited liability partnership (LLP)

• A person with significant control (usually someone who owns more than 25% of the shares or voting rights)

• Someone filing documents with Companies House, unless you’re doing it on behalf of an authorised agent

What happens if you don’t verify?

Once the new rules are live, you won’t be able to act as a director or PSC until your ID has been verified. If you try to file documents without verification, Companies House will reject them.

In more serious cases, failing to comply could lead to criminal offences or financial penalties.

What should you do now?

To complete the identity verification, follow these steps:

1. Check your emails

Companies House will contact you directly using the email address registered for your company role. If your company’s contact details are not up to date, now is a good time to check and update them.

2. Register for a Gov.One account

This is a new type of government login being introduced. The email from Companies House will include a link to get started.

3. Verify your ID online

You will need:

• A chipped passport or UK photocard driving licence
• A device with a camera, such as a smartphone or webcam

The process will guide you to scan your ID and take a live photo of yourself. This is to confirm that the ID belongs to you

4. Save your personal code

Once verified, Companies House will issue a personal code that proves your identity.

Please send us a copy of your code if we are filing your Confirmation Statement or other company documents.

If you are unsure about how to complete the steps above or cannot find the email from Companies House, just give us a call.

We’ll continue to keep you informed as the timeline becomes clearer. In the meantime, if you’ve got questions or want to make sure your company is ready, get in touch with your usual contact at A4G or give us a call.