From 18 November 2025, new rules mean that all UK company directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs) must verify their identity with Companies House.
This change, part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, is designed to increase transparency and reduce fraud. It affects millions of business owners, including many of our clients.
At Total Accounting, we want you to be prepared.
Who Needs to Verify?
✅ New Directors – must verify before being appointed or when setting up a new company.
✅ Existing Directors – must verify at the same time as filing their next confirmation statement (within 12 months of the rollout).
✅ PSCs (People with Significant Control) – must verify identity within the same transition window.
📊 Companies House expects 6–7 million individuals to complete the process between November 2025 and November 2026.
Why the Change?
The government wants to:
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Improve confidence in the Companies House register
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Make it harder for fraudsters to hide behind fake identities
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Provide more reliable information for investors, lenders, and the public
In short, it’s about trust, accountability, and compliance.
How the Process Works
You’ll be able to verify in one of two ways:
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GOV.UK One Login – free, digital ID system.
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Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – such as a solicitor or specialist provider (may involve a fee).
Once verified, you’ll receive a personal verification code. This is then used when taking on new roles or filing documents, proving your ID has already been confirmed.
What Happens If You Don’t Verify?
❌ Acting as a director without verification will be a criminal offence
❌ Risk of rejected filings or delays with Companies House
❌ Potential reputational damage if your company appears non-compliant
This is not something you can ignore.
What It Means for Our Clients
At Total Accounting, we want to be transparent:
👉 We are not registered to carry out identity verification for you.
Most accountancy firms are taking the same approach. This means:
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Directors and PSCs must complete the process themselves
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We will guide you through what’s required and keep you updated
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We’ll help plan around your confirmation statement deadlines
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We’ll make sure no one in your structure is missed
What You Should Do Now
✔️ Check your directors and PSCs – make sure you know who is affected
✔️ Note your deadlines – look at when your next confirmation statement is due
✔️ Get ID ready – passport or driving licence will be required
✔️ Set up GOV.UK One Login if you haven’t already
✔️ Act early – don’t wait until the last minute
Our Advice
This new requirement will add an extra step to company admin, but the process itself should be straightforward. The real challenge is timing — with millions needing to verify, latecomers could face backlogs and delays.
By starting now, you’ll avoid unnecessary stress and ensure compliance.
