From April 2025, Companies House started asking directors to prove they are who they say they are. It is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and the centrepiece of the new Companies House ID verification regime. If you are a director or a person with significant control (PSC), this duty will soon be as routine as filing the confirmation statement – and just as important.
The UK is famous for easy company formation: same-day incorporation costs as little as £12 online. That speed has a downside. Fraudsters can set up front companies just as quickly. The National Crime Agency puts the annual cost of economic crime at more than £290bn. In response, the government has empowered Companies House to verify everyone behind a company and strip out false identities.
Most directors we speak to welcome tighter controls. Nobody wants their firm’s good name tarnished by lookalike companies or bogus filings. But directors are busy running businesses – the last thing you need is an administrative surprise. This guide explains how Companies House ID verification works, the timeline to autumn 2025 and, most importantly, the steps you can take now to keep the process quick, cheap and stress-free.
Why ID verification is coming
At 31 March 2025 there were 5,427,787 entries on the UK companies register. Companies House’s latest enforcement report says it has already removed misleading information affecting more than 100,400 companies and rejected 10,200 suspicious applications since gaining new powers. When shell companies hide dirty money, legitimate businesses suffer as regulators and banks tighten the rules for everyone. ID verification is designed to do the following.
- Protect honest directors: It will be harder for criminals to impersonate you.
• Clean up the register: Fewer fake names means more reliable data.
• Strengthen the UK’s reputation: Transparency supports investment and trade.
Who must verify and when
Everyone who can control a company will have to pass Companies House ID verification:
- All existing and future directors of UK-registered companies.
• People with significant control – typically anyone holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights.
• Equivalent roles in limited liability partnerships (LLPs) and certain overseas entities.
The timetable is being phased in to avoid a bottleneck. Since 8 April 2025, existing directors and PSCs can start verifying voluntarily. Companies House will email each registered office with reminders, but the responsibility sits with directors personally. Failure to comply will be a criminal offence and could trigger civil penalties plus daily fines.
Companies House ID verification: Phased timetable at a glance
We expect two routes to verification.
- Direct route: Sign in to Companies House, upload a live selfie and a scan of your passport or photocard driving licence. Facial recognition checks the images match and that the document is genuine. You then receive a Companies House unique identifier to use on future filings.
• Authorised agent route: Your accountant or formation agent does the biometric checks via approved software. We already run similar anti-money-laundering checks for new clients, so we can complete this on your behalf alongside routine filings.
Once you have a unique identifier it remains valid unless your personal details change. Each new director must obtain their own unique identifier – they are not transferable.
How the verification process will work
The Companies House ID verification process will feel familiar if you have opened a digital bank account recently. Companies House is testing a smartphone app that guides users through the following.
- Document capture: Photograph your passport photo page or driving licence.
- Liveness detection: Record a short video selfie, turning your head left and right.
- Cross-checks: The system looks at HM Passport Office and Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) databases to confirm details.
- Confirmation: Within minutes you receive your Companies House unique identifier by email.
Those without a smartphone will have an assisted-digital option at a Post Office. Paper forms will be the exception.
Practical steps to get ready
Getting ahead of Companies House ID verification is straightforward.
- Audit director and PSC records: Check Companies House matches your internal register.
- Update documents: Ensure every director holds an in-date passport or photocard licence. Renew now to avoid the summer rush.
• Choose your route: Decide if you want to verify directly or through us.
• Upgrade filing software: Ask your provider when Companies House unique identifier fields will be added. We already use the new API (application programming interface) in our practice platform – so you can file with confidence.
• Brief the team: Send a short explainer to anyone who might be appointed as a director or PSC before the deadline.
Common questions on Companies House ID verification answered
Is this the same as the director’s authentication code?
No. The six-digit authentication code lets you file on behalf of a company. The Companies House unique identifier proves your identity as an individual. You need both.
Will Companies House store my biometric data?
Companies House says selfie images will be deleted once verification is complete, keeping only the numeric confirmation and document expiration date.
What about overseas directors?
Directors without a UK passport or driving licence can provide a national ID card and may need to visit a partner centre for an in-person check.
Ready to prove who you are?
Preparation is the difference between a calm September and a last-minute dash. Start gathering ID documents, confirm your director list and talk to us about the best route for your firm. We are already helping hundreds of business owners test the new system and ironing out glitches with Companies House tech teams, so the admin burden stays light while you stay focused on growth.
And if you are not yet a client, we’ll guide you through Companies House ID verification and every other compliance change coming down the line.
Think of this as more than a one-off task. Your Companies House unique identifier will sit at the heart of every future Companies House interaction – from filing annual accounts to appointing new board members. Getting verified early locks in faster digital filings, smoother banking relationships and fewer awkward questions from investors. It also demonstrates good governance; due diligence checks by suppliers and lenders are quicker when your name appears with a green “verified” badge.
We have built step-by-step support into our online portal so you can upload ID once and reuse it whenever a new requirement emerges. If you prefer the human touch, one of our client managers can complete the whole process during a single screen-share session. Either way, you will have proof in hand long before the 30 September 2025 cut-off and the peace of mind that brings.
Let’s make autumn 2025 a breeze: get your unique identifier, keep your company’s reputation spotless and free up headspace for the bigger decisions that drive profit. We’ve got this – and we’re ready when you are.
If you would like the same practical help, or simply want us to sense-check your timeline, please contact us. Our team will guide you through the Companies House identity checks from start to finish and keep your filings compliant.
