Companies House Sets New Requirement for Identity Verification

Following the introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act to improve transparency over UK companies and tackle economic crime, the Government has announced a voluntary period for individuals running businesses to verify their identity with Companies House before it becomes a legal requirement later this year.

More than six million individuals will need to prove their identity in the 12 months after identity verification becomes mandatory, which is expected to be in the autumn, and for existing directors the requirement will be integrated into the annual confirmation statement update process to reduce the burden on companies. Individuals can verify their identity by supplying the evidence requested via their GOV.UK One Login, a local Post Office, or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

Identity verification sets out to provide more assurance about who is setting up, running, owning and controlling companies in the UK. There will be the same level of assurance whether individuals are verifying their identity directly with Companies House or through an ACSP.

Companies House CEO Luise Smyth CBE said: “Identity verification will play a key role in improving the quality and reliability of our data and tackling misuse of the companies register. To save time later, we encourage directors, people with significant control of companies (PSCs) and those filing information with Companies House to verify their identity during the voluntary window. We expect identity verification to become mandatory from autumn 2025. To reduce the burden on business, the identity verification requirement for existing directors will be integrated into the annual confirmation statement update process.”

AI and Digital Government Minister Feryal Clark MP said: “Ensuring trust and transparency in the digital age is vital and today marks an important step forward. Identity verification at Companies House through our GOV.UK One Login service will make it easier to do business with confidence – protecting entrepreneurs, consumers, and the UK economy from fraud and financial crime.”

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Open Ownership welcomes the introduction of identity verification for individuals listed on Companies House. This will make the information on Companies House more accurate, reliable, and ultimately more useful, and ensures the UK meets international standards.”