From 18 November 2025, new identity verification (IDV) requirements will apply to all UK company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs). These changes come under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which aims to improve visibility of company information and combat financial crime.
If you are a company director or PSC, this new requirement will affect you. In this article, we’ll walk you through what’s changing, when it applies, and how you can prepare.
How the new rules will apply to you
The rules will vary depending on whether you’re involved in a new incorporation or already listed on the Companies House register.
- New companies/ new appointments: Directors and PSCs will need to verify their identity when the company is incorporated. Any new directors of existing companies must verify at the point of appointment, while new PSCs must do so within 14 days of being added to the register.
- Existing directors: Verification will be required when the next confirmation statement is filed, meaning the process will roll out over a 12-month period.
- Existing PSCs who are also directors: Will need to verify in both roles – as a director via the confirmation statement and a separate notification against the PSC register within 14 days of the confirmation statement date.
- Existing PSCs who are not directors: PSC verification must be completed during the first 14 days of their birth month. For example, a PSC born in January must complete IDV in the first 14 days of January 2026.
What ID will you need?
To verify, directors and PSCs must provide Companies House with one of the following types of photo ID:
- UK passport
- UK photocard driving licence
- Non-UK biometric passport
- UK biometric residence permit or card
- UK Frontier Worker permit
How to verify your identity
Verification can be done by the individual personally or via an authorised corporate service provider (e.g. solicitor or accountant). Personal verification can be completed in three ways:
- Using the Gov.UK ID Check app on a smartphone
- By answering security questions online
- At a Post Office
The easiest way to verify your ID is to download the Gov.UK ID Check app. Once the app is installed, open Google and search for “Company ID Verification.” Open the Gov.UK link entitled ‘Verifying your identity for Companies House’ and follow the instructions. As HB&O directors, we have each undertaken this process to verify our identities and it is relatively straightforward.
This process only needs to be completed once and should link all companies where the individual is either an office holder or a PSC. If you hold multiple appointments across different companies, it is important to ensure that the personal information held about you in each company is identical. Any differences in your name, residential address, or other personal information will prevent Companies House from linking the different appointments to you.
What happens after verification?
- Companies House will issue you a personal verification code
- You must retain this code securely
- You will need to provide this code to your accountant, solicitor, or company service provider to enable them to submit your confirmation statement or company filings
Important: If you use the Gov.UK ID Check app, note that the code may only be displayed on-screen – take a screenshot immediately, as it may not be emailed.
Let us manage the process for you
If you’d prefer not to verify your identity yourself, we can complete the process for you as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). There are two options available:
- Biometric verification: We use a trusted third-party provider with specialist software that reads biometric chips in ID documents. This service costs £150 + VAT per verification. Once complete, Companies House will issue your personal code by email.
- Non-biometric verification: This is a manual process that requires you to visit our office and provide original documents. It costs £250 + VAT per verification. A wider range of ID documents is accepted under this method, but we are required to keep copies on file for seven years.
We recommend completing the IDV personally, as it’s free of charge, straightforward, and can usually be done in just a few minutes.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Failure to complete Companies House IDV will result in penalties for directors and PSCs. Non-compliance could prevent your company from filing confirmation statements or meeting other legal obligations.
How HB&O can help you
If you have questions or wish to use HB&O to manage the verification process, please contact our Transaction Support Coordinator, Elaine Davies, at [email protected] or give us a call on 01926 422292.
