5 agosto 2025 Rita Teo  -  Lucy Reeve Corporate Governance

Compulsory identity verification rollout to begin on 18 November 2025

Companies House has confirmed that the compulsory identity verification (or IDV) regime introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 will begin on 18 November 2025.

The requirement to verify your identity, applicable to new and existing directors and LLP members as well as people with significant control (PSCs), has been voluntary since April this year, and the mandatory regime will now be rolled out over a 12-month transition period.

Who needs to verify?

From 18 November 2025:

  • new directors and LLP members will need to verify their identity to incorporate a company/LLP or be appointed to an existing company/LLP;
  • existing directors and LLP members will need to confirm they have verified their identity at the same time as the company/LLP files its next annual confirmation statement within the transition period. It will be an offence to act as a director/LLP member without being identity verified; and
  • PSCs will need to verify their identity in line with an appointed day within 12 months of the commencement of mandatory identity verification on 18 November. Every PSC has a 14-day period during which they must submit a statement confirming they have completed IDV.
    • For new PSCs, their 14-day period starts from the date they register with Companies House.
    • For existing PSCs, if:
      • they are also a director of the company, their 14-day period starts from the company's confirmation statement date; or
      • they are not a director of the company, their 14-day period starts from the first day of their month of birth as shown on the Companies House register (e.g. if date of birth is March 1990, the 14-day period will start on 1 March 2026)

Companies House has also explained that identity verification requirements for limited partnerships, corporate directors of companies, corporate members of limited liability partnerships, and officers of corporate PSCs will commence at a later date (exact timing to be confirmed).

Should I start IDV now?

Importantly, companies should be aware that the requirement is for existing directors and PSCs to confirm they have completed IDV in the next confirmation statement filed after 18 November 2025. As such, if a company's confirmation statement deadline is shortly after this date, they will only have a small window to ensure compliance. Companies may therefore want to utilise this period before the roll-out begins to voluntarily complete IDV and avoid any last-minute stress.

How can IDV be completed?

IDV can be completed directly with Companies House free of charge through the GOV.UK One Login (either through a phone application or browser) or via the Post Office, or alternatively through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (or ACSP). See Companies House's guidance on ways to verify here. Once an individual has successfully verified their identity, they will receive a personal code. From 18 November 2025, individuals will need to provide their personal code and a verification statement confirming they have successfully verified their identity for each company role they hold. 

Where can I find out more?

For further guidance and updates on ECCTA, see our Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Hub.

See Companies House's announcement here.