Who Needs to Verify Their Identity with Companies House?

With the introduction of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, Companies House is introducing mandatory identity verification for individuals connected with UK companies. These changes are designed to improve corporate transparency and ensure that the information held on the Companies House register accurately reflects the people responsible for managing and controlling businesses.

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One of the most common questions business owners ask is who will actually need to complete identity verification. The answer depends on an individual's role within the company, but the new rules affect a wide range of people involved in UK businesses.

Company directors are among the main groups required to verify their identity. Both existing directors and newly appointed directors are expected to complete the verification process in accordance with Companies House requirements. This applies regardless of whether they live in the United Kingdom or overseas.

Another important group includes Persons with Significant Control (PSCs). These are individuals who own or control a company through share ownership, voting rights, or other forms of influence. Because PSCs play an important role in company ownership and governance, they are also included within the new verification framework.

Individuals who submit statutory filings on behalf of companies may also be affected by the new requirements. This helps ensure that only verified individuals are able to submit official information to Companies House, improving confidence in the accuracy of the public register.

The new rules are not limited to UK residents. Overseas directors, shareholders with significant control, and certain international business owners connected with UK companies may also need to complete identity verification before carrying out relevant company activities.

Identity verification is expected to become an important part of company incorporation as well. Individuals forming new UK companies may need to verify their identity before the company can be fully registered, helping prevent fraudulent incorporations from occurring in the first place.

Once verification has been successfully completed, Companies House issues a Personal Code, which acts as a unique identifier for future interactions with the register. This code helps demonstrate that the individual has completed the required identity checks.

Preparing early offers several advantages. Completing verification before mandatory deadlines helps reduce the risk of delays, avoids last-minute compliance issues, and ensures businesses can continue filing documents without interruption.

For many companies, using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) provides a convenient way to complete the process. ACSPs are authorised to verify identities on behalf of Companies House and can guide applicants through each stage of the verification process.

The introduction of identity verification marks an important step in modernising UK company law. Understanding who needs to verify allows businesses to prepare in advance and continue operating smoothly as the new requirements come into effect.