Since 18 November 2025, identity verification for UK company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) has been a legal requirement. Not everyone can carry it out on your behalf — here is exactly who can, what the deadlines are, and how Beck Hill Ltd can help you stay compliant.

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What Is Companies House Identity Verification?

Identity verification for Companies House is a new legal requirement introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). It requires all individuals who run, own, or control a UK-registered company to prove they are who they say they are.

The requirement was introduced to reduce fraud and money laundering involving private limited companies. Previously, anyone could incorporate a company or be listed as a director using false details with very little scrutiny. Those days are now over.

Once you have verified your identity, Companies House issues you a unique personal code. This code is linked to you as an individual — not to any specific company — and must be provided when filing confirmation statements and when taking on new director or PSC roles.

Who Needs to Verify Their Identity?

The requirement applies to a wide range of individuals involved in UK companies and other registered entities:

• Company directors — all directors of UK-registered limited companies, including directors of UK-registered branches of overseas companies
• Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) — anyone who owns 25% or more of shares, controls 25% or more of voting rights, or has the power to appoint or remove the majority of the board
• New directors and PSCs appointed from 18 November 2025 must verify before or at the point of appointment
• Members of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
• Anyone incorporating a new company from 18 November 2025 onwards

What Are the Deadlines?

The deadlines depend on your role and when you were appointed. Here is a clear breakdown:

“Your actual deadline could be much sooner than November 2026, depending on when your company’s next confirmation statement is due. An unverified director blocks the filing immediately — and failing to file a confirmation statement is itself a criminal offence.” — Companies House guidance, 2026

Who Can Carry Out an Identity Check for Companies House?

This is the key question — and the answer matters. There are only two official routes for verifying your identity for Companies House, and both must meet the same legal standard of assurance:

Route 1: Directly via GOV.UK One Login

Individuals can verify themselves for free online using the GOV.UK One Login service. You will need an accepted identity document such as a biometric passport, UK photocard driving licence, Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), Biometric Residence Card (BRC), or a Frontier Worker Permit.

This route works well if you have the right documents readily available and are comfortable navigating government digital services. For most people, it takes around 10 to 20 minutes.

Route 2: Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

An ACSP is a professional firm or individual that has been officially registered and approved by Companies House to carry out identity verification on your behalf. ACSPs must be supervised under UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations to qualify.

Authorised Corporate Service Providers include:

• Accountants supervised under AML regulations — such as AAT, ICAEW, ACCA or ICAS members
• Solicitors and legal professionals
• Company formation agents
• Chartered secretaries and governance professionals

Why Use an ACSP Instead of Verifying Directly?

The online route via GOV.UK One Login is free and straightforward for many people. However, using an ACSP like Beck Hill Ltd offers important advantages:

• Expert guidance — we walk you through the process and ensure everything is correctly linked to your company record
• Alternative documents — ACSPs can accept a broader range of identity documents than the online route alone
• International clients — if you live outside the UK or hold non-UK documents, an ACSP may be the only practical option
• Time-poor directors — we handle the process on your behalf so you can focus on running your business
• Multiple companies — if you are a director of several companies, we can coordinate verification and manage your filing deadlines across all of them
• Integrated with your accounting — as your accountant, we can align your identity verification with your confirmation statement filing and annual accounts in one seamless process

Is Identity Verification the Same as an AML Check?

No — and this is a common misunderstanding. Identity verification for Companies House and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) customer due diligence checks are two separate processes.

AML checks are risk-based — the depth and nature of the checks varies depending on the client and the level of risk involved. Companies House identity verification, on the other hand, is a fixed, standardised process that is the same for everyone, regardless of risk level.

Even if your accountant or solicitor already carries out AML due diligence on you, that does not automatically satisfy the Companies House identity verification requirement. You still need to verify separately through one of the two approved routes.

What Happens if You Don’t Verify in Time?

The consequences of missing your deadline are serious and escalate quickly:

What About Your Accountant Filing at Companies House?

There is a second, upcoming change that affects anyone who uses an accountant or agent to file documents at Companies House on their behalf. From no earlier than November 2026, third-party agents — including accountants, solicitors and company secretaries — must themselves be registered as an ACSP to continue submitting filings for clients.

This covers everything: confirmation statements, annual accounts, director appointment forms, and all other statutory filings. If your current accountant is not ACSP-registered, they will no longer be able to file on your behalf after that date.

Frequently Asked Questions