Author: Marketing Team

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 has introduced new mandatory identity verification (IDV) requirements for a variety of individuals, including company directors, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) members, Person with Significant Control (PSCs), and anyone making filings at Companies House. The law also includes changes for limited partnerships.

IDV is the process of confirming a person’s identity. The purpose of this regime is to reduce the risk of fraud by making it more difficult to register fictitious directors and beneficial owners. It also aims to improve the accuracy and integrity of the public records at Companies House. While certain parts of the IDV process become mandatory on 18 November 2025, other aspects are still being finalised. Early preparation is crucial given these changes.

Who Needs to be Verified?

The new IDV requirements apply to several groups of people:

  • All new and existing directors of UK companies.
  • New and existing individual members of an LLP, as well as a nominated director for each corporate member.
  • All new and existing people with significant control (PSCs) of a company or LLP.
  • Individuals who are relevant officers of a registrable relevant legal entity (RLE), also known as a corporate PSC.
  • Nominated directors of each corporate general partner of a limited partnership.
  • Individuals who file information at Companies House, whether on their own behalf or for another.
  • Individual directors of overseas companies that have a UK establishment registered at Companies House. The implementation timing is the same as for UK companies, but with specific transitional provisions.

What is the implementation time?

The proposed timeline for the changes is as follows:

  • 08 April 2025: Voluntary IDV was introduced.
  • 18 November 2025: IDV becomes compulsory for directors, LLP members, and PSCs for new incorporations and appointments. A 12-month transition period also begins for existing individuals in these roles.
  • By Spring 2026: IDV will become compulsory for those who file documents with Companies House. Third-party filers will need to register as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
  • By the end of 2026: The 12-month transition period concludes, and Companies House will begin compliance checks.
  • IDV requirements for limited partnerships, corporate directors, corporate LLP members, and officers of corporate PSCs will be implemented at a later, unspecified date.

What are the Verification Requirements from 18 November 2025

Starting 18 November 2025, IDV will be mandatory for new company and LLP registrations, as well as new appointments. Directors and LLP members must provide the personal code they receive after verifying their identity as part of the filing. Anyone becoming a PSC after this date must provide their personal code within 14 days of being added to the register.

Existing directors, LLP members, and PSCs have a 12-month transition period:

  • Existing Directors and LLP members: Must provide their personal code at the time the company or LLP files its next annual confirmation statement after November 18, 2025.
  • Existing PSCs: The deadline for verification varies.
    • If a person is both a director and a PSC of the same company, they must provide their personal code separately for each role. The director code is included in the company’s confirmation statement, while the PSC code must be provided via a separate Companies House service within 14 days of the confirmation statement date.
    • If a person is a PSC but not a director, they must provide their personal code within the first 14 days of their birth month as shown on the register.

For overseas companies with a UK establishment, individual directors must have their identity confirmed when the establishment is registered and whenever a new director is appointed. Existing directors must be verified by the first anniversary of the UK establishment’s opening after 18 November 2025.

How to Verify Your Identity

There are two primary ways to complete the IDV process:

  1. Directly with Companies House: This is a free option and provides three methods:
    • UK One Login Check app: Uses a smartphone to scan a biometric passport, UK photocard driving licence, or certain UK residence permits.
    • UK One Login web service: Accepts a UK passport, UK photocard driving licence, or a UK bank account with a National Insurance number.
    • Face-to-face service: Available at selected post offices for applicants with a UK home address and accepts a broader range of documents.
  2. Via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP): This route involves a fee set by the ACSP. It can be an option if an individual is unable to use the direct Companies House route. A wider range of documents may be accepted, depending on the ACSP’s specific process.

After successfully verifying their identity, an individual will receive an 11-character Companies House personal code. This code is confidential and links the individual’s verified identity to their roles at Companies House. Companies are advised to begin the IDV process during the voluntary period to avoid potential delays as the 18 November deadline approaches.

With over a decade of experience in providing Companies House services, The LowCost Letterbox has earned a reputation for excellence and is widely recognized for its expertise and commitment to clients. As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), our dedicated and experienced team is committed to handling your identity verification and compliance needs with a high level of efficiency, allowing you to focus on your core business objectives as a director, PSC, or shareholders.

To learn more, please visit our website by clicking the link below:

https://www.lowcostletterbox.com/companies-house-id-requirements.html

We recommend that companies and LLPs with an annual confirmation date shortly after 18 November 2025, begin the IDV process during the voluntary period to avoid potential issues and delays that may occur as the mandatory deadline approaches and demand for the service increases. We will continue to update this information as Companies House releases more guidance.

Share This Post: