Companies House verification set to become mandatory

New rules have been introduced requiring all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) to verify their identity with Companies House.

The change was introduced in April, but will become mandatory in the autumn, so our advice is to take action now.

Why do directors and PSCs need to verify their identity?

The introduction of identity verification is one of the key changes to UK company law under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, to help prevent people using companies for illegal purposes. This legislation gave Companies House new and enhanced powers to help disrupt economic crime and support economic growth.

The aim of identity verification is to provide more assurance about who is setting up, running, owning and controlling companies in the UK. There will be the same level of assurance whether individuals are verifying their identity directly with Companies House or through an ACSP - Authorised Corporate Service Provider - such as an accountant.

How to verify your identity

There are three alternative ways to verify:

• online using GOV.UK One Login – to do so, you must have the identity documents or information required
• in person at selected Post Offices – you must live in the UK and will need to use the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service first to find out if you can verify this way
• using an ACPS – for example, an accountant or solicitor who has registered as a Companies House authorised agent (again, you’ll need to provide suitable identity documents).

What happens when you verify

Verification is a two-step process

Step 1: Verify your identity and receive your Companies House personal code. This code is personal to you, not the company. Keep this information secure until you need to use it.

Step 2: From autumn 2025, link your verified identity to Companies House records. You’ll need to provide your personal code and a verification statement for each company role you hold. Companies House will provide more information on how to do this in the coming months.

Check your details

It’s important to make sure Companies House holds the correct details for each director and PSC of your company.

If there is a discrepancy between the personal information on your identity documents and the information held with Companies House - such as your date of birth - you will not be able to complete identity verification.

As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, at Optimum we are happy to help guide you through the process of verification. Please get in touch to talk to our accountancy team.