New Legal Requirement: Directors and PSCs Must Verify Their Identity from November 2025
From 18 November 2025, identity verification will become a legal requirement for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs). This is part of a wider reform under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, and it’s set to impact millions of individuals connected to UK companies.
If you're a company director or PSC, this change will affect you, and it’s important to understand what’s required - and when.
What’s Changing?
From 18 November 2025:
New directors will need to verify their identity when incorporating a company or being appointed to an existing one.
- Existing directors will be required to confirm they’ve verified their identity when filing their company’s next confirmation statement - this forms part of a 12-month transition period.
- Existing PSCs will also need to verify their identity within a specific 12-month period, depending on their role and date of birth.
Why Is This Happening?
The aim is to make the companies register more transparent and trustworthy, and to help tackle fraud and economic crime. With identity verification in place, it will be harder for individuals to hide behind fake names or false company appointments.
What Does It Mean for Your Business?
This is a one-off process for most people, and Companies House says it will be quick and simple - taking just a few minutes in most cases.
The verification process can be completed via your GOV.UK One Login. Or, you can verify through us, as we are an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Once the new rules come into effect, it will be an offence to act as a director without being verified.
When Do You Need to Act?
- If you’re appointed as a new director or PSC from 18 November 2025, you must verify within 14 days of being registered.
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If you’re an existing PSC, your deadline depends on your circumstances:
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If you’re also a director, you must confirm that you have verified your identity within 14 days of the company’s confirmation statement date.
- If you’re not a director, your 14-day deadline starts on the 1st day of your birth month in 2026 (as shown on the Companies House register).
What If You’re Unsure?
Companies House is contacting all companies via their registered email addresses with details and guidance. You’ll also be able to log into Companies House after 18 November to check identity verification due dates for all roles you hold.
If you have any questions or need help, please just get in touch with us. We’ll be happy to help guide you or your company through the new requirements.
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