In this article, Rouse Company Secretarial Manager, Martin Brooks summarises the changes and how you can verify with Companies House.
We are currently contacting clients to provide our guidance on these new ID verification requirements and if you have any queries or require support, please contact us.
Why these changes are happening
These changes are part of the government’s efforts to enhance transparency and combat economic crime. By verifying identities, Companies House aims to improve the accuracy of company information and reduce the risk of fraudulent activity.
Who needs to verify
You will need to verify your identity if you are:
- a director
- the equivalent of a director – this includes members, general partners and managing officers
- a person with significant control (PSC)
- an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – also known as a Companies House authorised agent
- someone who files for a company – for example, a company secretary. In most cases, you’ll only need to verify your identity once. You must not verify again unless notified by either Rouse or Companies House to do so.
We believe that this may be particularly onerous for corporate groups, complex company structures and those with multiple directors, who may be based overseas or have limited day-to-day involvement. Early preparation will therefore be essential to avoid disruptions or compliance risks.
When you need to verify
- New company incorporations: From autumn of 2025 (Companies House are yet to confirm the specific date), IDV (Identity Verification) is mandatory for new company formations.
- New director appointments and PSCs: From autumn of 2025, IDV is mandatory before the notice of appointment is filed at Companies House and before they can act as a director.
- Existing directors and PSCs: A transitional period allows existing directors and PSCs to verify their identity as part of the annual confirmation statement process. This transition period is expected to end by autumn 2026.
- Filing documents: From Spring 2026, only ID-verified individuals or an ACSP can file documents on behalf of a company.
- LLPs: From Spring 2026, IDV requirements will also apply to members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs).
- Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs): Since 18 March 2025, you are required to verify your identity if you want to apply to register as a Companies House authorised agent. In the future, businesses will also need to register as an authorised agent to be able to file on behalf of clients.
How to verify your identity
You will need to provide:
- Personal Information: Name, date of birth, current and previous addresses (if less than 12 months at the current address).
- Document Information: For verification documents, you’ll need to provide details like the document reference number, expiry date (if applicable), and country of issue.
This can be done:
1. Online
You can verify online if you have the identity documents or information required. This route uses GOV.UK One Login to verify your identity and is free of charge.
You will also need one of the following types of photo ID:
- biometric passport from any country
- UK photo driving licence (full or provisional)
- UK biometric residence permit (BRP)
- UK biometric residence card (BRC)
- UK Frontier Worker permit (FWP)
GOV.UK One Login will ask you some simple questions to find the best way for you to verify your identity online. Depending on your answers, you will then be guided to verify using a GOV.UK mobile phone app or in your web browser.
If you do not have any of these types of ID but live in the UK, you may be able to verify with bank or building society details instead. You will need to use the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service. Information can be found using GOV.UK here.
2. In person at a Post Office
If you cannot verify online and you live in the UK, you may be able to verify your identity in person at a Post Office. You will need to use the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service on the GOV.UK website first to find out if you can verify this way. This route also uses GOV.UK One Login and is free of charge.
3. Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
You can ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify your identity on your behalf. This is also known as a Companies House authorised agent. You can do this from any country, but your agent must register with Companies House in order to become authorised. They must be registered with a UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervisory body. When an agent has agreed to verify your identity, you will need to provide documents from an approved list as evidence of your identity. They may charge a fee for their services.
What happens when you verify
When you have successfully verified, you will get a unique identifier known as a Companies House personal code. The code is personal to you, not your company or a company you work for.
From autumn 2025, you will need it for various reasons. For example:
- when you file your confirmation statement
- if you are appointed as a director
- if you become a person with significant control (PSC)
How to connect your verified ID to our records
For clients where we are registered as your agent, and you are currently a director or a PSC, you can either provide Rouse with your code or connect yourself and advise us when complete.
This is a legal requirement and will ensure that we know the correct identity is linked to any roles you hold. We recommend that you notify us when you receive your personal code and we can keep a safe record of this on our database. See further details below.
Only share the personal code with people you trust
You may need to share this code with people you trust to file on your behalf, (e.g., us as your accountant or a solicitor) or for your company. Keep this information secure, as you would with other unique codes such as your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for HMRC. Identity verification makes it much more difficult for criminals to impersonate someone, but not impossible.
What happens if you do not verify
You (or those acting on your behalf) will not be able to:
- make any filings
- start a new company or entity
- register as an ACSP (also known as a Companies House authorised agent)
If you do not comply with identity verification requirements on time, you may be committing an offence and may have to pay a financial penalty or fine.
For directors, if you continue to act as a director without verifying after it becomes a legal requirement, you will be committing an offence and could be disqualified. The company (or entity) and all of its directors may also be committing an offence.
Contact us
We are currently contacting our clients to offer guidance and support regarding these changes. Please note, however, that we are unable to complete the verification process on your behalf.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your usual Rouse representative.
For new clients who need assistance and would like to discuss our wider range of accounting and tax services, please contact us here.
Martin has worked in the company secretarial field for over 30 years and holds the ICSA Certificate in Company Secretarial Practice and Share Registration Practice.
