Big changes are coming to how UK companies verify the identities of their key people. From 18th November 2025, identity verification (IDV) will become mandatory under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA).

Companies House will introduce a new identity verification process to help deter those wishing to use companies for illegal purposes.  Anyone setting up, running, owning or controlling a company in the UK will need to verify their identity to prove they are who they claim to be.

From 18 November 2025, identity verification will be required for:

  • new directors and people with significant control (PSCs)
  • existing directors and PSCs
  • members of a limited liability partnership (LLP)

Companies House will introduce identity verification at a later date for:

  • people who file at Companies House
  • limited partnerships
  • corporate directors of companies
  • corporate members of LLPs
  • officers of corporate PSCs

Directors and PSCs can also complete IDV voluntarily ahead of the deadline if they wish.

There are two ways to verify your identity:

  1. Directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login
  2. Via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) like an accountant, solicitor, or company formation agent who’s registered to do ID checks.

Once verified, you’ll receive a personal code. On incorporations and appointments the code will need to be submitted with the incorporation or appointment details. For existing companies, the code will mainly be submitted with the confirmation statement. However there are some other dates that apply in certain situations. It will then show on the public register who has been verified, once the personal code is linked to an appointment within a company. IDV only needs to take place once. So if you are appointed to different companies, you can use the same code.

The verification can be completed using technology (facial recognition apps) or an in-person check. There are different rules that apply but if the IDV is being conducted by an ACSP it must be at the same standard as Companies House.

The UK company register is getting a major security upgrade, and everyone involved in running or controlling companies needs to be verified.

As a registered ACSP, CRO can support you through the IDV process. At CRO, we partner with our trusted AML provider, Tiller, to deliver reliable and compliant AML checks. For more information about our IDV service, please contact Alice Spencer – Tel: 0161 440 8884 – Email: [email protected]

Learn more on GOV.UK: Companies House – Identity Verification