Identity Verification for Company Directors & PSCs – What You Need to Know Effective from 18 November 2025
From 18 November 2025, it will become a legal requirement for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) to verify their identity. This change is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and will affect millions of people connected to UK companies.
If you are a director or PSC (Persons with Significant Control), it’s important to understand what’s changing and when you need to act.
What’s Changing?
From 18 November 2025:
- New directors must verify their identity when setting up a company or being appointed to an existing one.
- Existing directors will need to confirm their identity verification as part of their next company confirmation statement – within a 12-month transition period.
- Existing PSCs must also verify their identity within a 12-month window, based on their role and date of birth.
Why Is This Happening?
The new rules are designed to:
- Improve transparency of the Companies Register.
- Tackle fraud and reduce the misuse of company structures.
- Prevent individuals from hiding behind false names or fake appointments.
What Does It Mean for Businesses?
- For most people, this will be a one-off process that takes just a few minutes.
- Verification can be done through GOV.UK One Login, or through us as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
- Acting as a director without verification will become a criminal offence.
When Do You Need to Act?
- New directors/PSCs (from 18 November 2025): must verify within 14 days of being registered.
- Existing directors: must confirm verification within 14 days of their company’s confirmation statement due date.
- Existing PSCs (not directors): must verify within 14 days of the 1st day of their birth month in 2026, based on the Companies House register.
Need Help?
Companies House will contact companies directly via their registered email with full details. You’ll also be able to check verification deadlines by logging into Companies House after 18 November.
If you’re unsure or want support, we’re here to help. We can guide you and your company through the process with ease, contact us if you require support.
👉 See the official announcement here: Companies House confirms identity verification rollout
