Business owners will need to verify their identity on Companies House as the government seeks to improve visibility of who’s owning and controlling companies in the UK.
If you own a limited company or are a person of significant control then you’ll need to take steps to meet identity verification requirements from autumn 2025. Keep reading to find out what’s changing and how this could affect your business.
What you need to know about Companies House identify verification
- ID verification will be mandatory from autumn 2025
- there’s a 12-month transition period for existing directors
- changes affect company directors and people with signification control
Companies House launched voluntary identity verification on 8 April 2025 before mandatory introduction comes in autumn 2025.
Directors of limited companies will need to prove who they are to continue running and owning their business. This change also affects those who are setting up a new limited company.
Once it becomes mandatory, business owners will have 12 months to comply. Companies House is hoping this phased approach will reduce the burden on companies as they won’t have to rush to meet a deadline.
Why is Companies House introducing identity verification?
Verifying the identity of those registered with Companies House will give more visibility to who’s setting up and controlling companies in the UK.
The change comes as part of an update to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which aims to prevent crime and support growth in the economy.
It’s hoped this new law will stop people setting up companies for illegal activities and reduce the risk of fraud.
Read more: Certificate of Incorporation: registering with Companies House
How to verify your identity with Companies House
There are two ways you can verify your identity. You can do this now (voluntarily) or from autumn 2025 (when it becomes mandatory).
- directly with Companies House – just sign in or create a login with your GOV.UK One Login (or in person at a Post Office if you can’t verify online)
- through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ASCP), such as your company accountant
Valid types of ID
You’ll need to prove your identity with photo ID. This can be one of the following:
- biometric passport from any country
- UK photo driving licence (full or provisional)
- UK biometric residence permit (BRP)
- UK biometric residence permit (BRC)
- UK frontier worker permit (FWP)
You’ll also need your current address and the year you moved in.
Companies House CEO Louise Smyth CBE says: “Identity verification will play a key role in improving the quality and reliability of our data and tackling misuse of the companies register.
“To reduce the burden on business, the identity verification requirement for existing directors will be integrated into the annual confirmation statement update process.”
ID verification changes – a timeline
- Autumn 2025-2026 – existing directors have 12 months to verify their identity during the transition period
- 8 April 2025 – voluntary ID verification launched
- Autumn 2025 – all new limited company directors and people with significant control must verify their identity
‘A win for businesses and a win for economic growth’
AI and Digital Government Minister Feryal Clark MP supports the change, saying: “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.
“By embracing digital identity checks, we’re reducing red tape while strengthening our defences against abuse of the system. This is a win for businesses, a win for transparency, and a win for economic growth – a key driver for our Plan for Change.”
FAQs – common questions about Companies House changes
What is Companies House identity verification?
Companies House identity verification is the process of checking that limited company directors are who they say they are. Most businesses will verify online, but verification in the Post Office is available to those who can’t use the online service.
When does Companies House identity verification become mandatory?
Companies House ID verification becomes mandatory in autumn 2025. The government hasn’t yet published an exact date.
Who needs to verify their identity with Companies House?
You need to verify your identity with Companies House if you’re a:
- limited company director
- person with significant control
- authorised corporate service provider (ACSPS)
What happens if I don’t verify my identity?
This is a legal requirement and not verifying your identity means you’ll be committing an offence, which could result in a penalty or fine.
If you don’t complete the identity verification then you won’t be able to file accounts for your business or start a new company.
Do sole traders have to verify their identity on Companies House?’
Sole traders aren’t affected by this change. They use a different business structure and aren’t registered on Companies House.
However, if a sole trader decides to transition to a limited company structure then the ID verification process will apply.
What does the ID verification mean for company directors?
Company directors will be required to verify their identity to continue running their limited company. You’ll need to do this by autumn 2025 (if you haven’t done so already). There’s a 12-month period to allow for the transition, but it’s a good idea to get everything set up as soon as possible.
Other important changes you need to know
Other updates you need to know include:
- PO Boxes are no longer allowed to be used for your registered office – you’ll need a real UK postal address
- your company needs a registered email address
- Companies House fees increased on 1 May 2024
- limited partnerships will need to file through Authorised Corporate Service Providers by spring 2026
- accounts must be filed using commercial software by 1 April 2027 – web and paper filing will no longer be possible
Read more about changes to company law on the UK government website.
Companies House changes – 3 key takeaways
- Identity verification becomes mandatory in autumn 2025
- The change is designed to reduce fraud and increase transparency of who runs and controls companies in the UK
- The easiest way to verify is online with your GOV.UK One Login
This article is intended as a guide. Check Companies House guidance if you’re unsure about anything.
This article was first published on 9 April 2025 and updated on 22 July 2025.
More guides for company directors
- 10 legal changes impacting small businesses in 2025
- 5 new tax laws for businesses in 2025
- How to register a business name – and how to protect it
- Is business insurance a legal requirement?
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