ID VERIFICATION FOR COMPANIES HOUSE

The way companies interact with Companies House has fundamentally changed. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), mandatory identity verification is now a legal requirement for company directors, Persons with Significant Control (PSCs), and LLP members.

At Accountancy and Tax Crew, we are registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), which means we can verify your identity on your behalf. Whether you need to verify for a new appointment or ensure your existing company remains compliant, we make the process simple, secure, and stress-free.

Who Must Verify Their Identity?

The new rules apply to the following individuals connected to UK companies, LLPs, and other registered entities:

Role                                                                                       Requirement

Company Directors                                                          All directors of UK companies must verify their identity, regardless of nationality or residency

Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)                   Anyone who owns more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or otherwise exercises significant control

LLP Members                                                                     Members of Limited Liability Partnerships are subject to the same requirements as directors

Relevant Legal Entities (RLEs)                                      Corporate bodies that meet PSC criteria must appoint a relevant officer for verification (guidance pending)

Important: It is a criminal offence for a director or PSC to act without having verified their identity when required to do so. This applies to both UK residents and non-UK residents.

Key Deadlines: When You Must Verify

The deadlines depend on whether you are a new or existing director/PSC, and the specific role you hold.

New Directors & PSCs (appointed on or after 18 November 2025)

You must verify your identity before your appointment can be filed with Companies House. It is no longer possible to incorporate a company or appoint new directors without verification being completed first.

Existing Directors (appointed before 18 November 2025)

There is a 12-month transition period running until November 2026. However, your specific deadline is linked to your company’s confirmation statement due date.

Your deadline: All directors must have verified their identity before the company submits its next confirmation statement. If verification is incomplete, the filing will be rejected.

How We Help: Verification via an ACSP

There are two ways to verify your identity with Companies House:

1.            Direct verification – Using the GOV.UK One Login service (free, but requires digital confidence and compatible documents)

2.            Via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – Such as an accountant or solicitor registered with Companies House

We are registered as an ACSP. By choosing us to handle your verification, you benefit from:

•              Time savings – We carry out the identity checks for you, reducing admin

•              Expert guidance – We ensure all documentation meets HMRC/Companies House standards

•              Reduced risk – Avoid common pitfalls like name mismatches or missed deadlines

•              Seamless integration – We already hold your ID documents from our ongoing work together

The Verification Process (Via AT Crew)

Step       What happens

1             You provide us with approved identity documents (passport, driving licence, etc.)

2             We carry out the required AML-compliant identity checks

3             We confirm your identity to Companies House using the “Tell Companies House you’ve verified someone’s identity” service

4             You receive your unique personal code via email

5             You (or we, on your behalf) link your personal code to each company role you hold

Once verified, always verified. You only need to verify your identity once. The personal code you receive can be used for all current and future directorships or PSC roles.

Common Pitfalls & How We Help You Avoid Them

Our experience with early filings has revealed several recurring issues:

Name Mismatches

If your name on the Companies House register differs from your ID documents (e.g., middle name omitted, or name change after marriage), the linking process can fail. We review your register details before verification to identify and correct discrepancies.

Multiple Roles, Multiple Deadlines

If you are a director of multiple companies, or a director and PSC of the same company, different deadlines may apply. We track each deadline and ensure all roles are linked correctly.

Digital Difficulties

The direct verification process relies on the GOV.UK One Login app, which some users have found challenging. By using our ACSP service, you bypass these digital hurdles entirely.

You will typically need to provide:

•              A valid passport or UK driving licence

•              Proof of address (if required for additional checks)

Non-UK residents can also verify using their foreign passports, though the process may involve additional steps.

Why Choose AT Crew for ID Verification?

As your trusted accountants, we already hold and manage your sensitive financial information. Extending this to Companies House verification is a natural fit:

•              We’re already registered – AT Crew is an approved ACSP

•              We know your business – No need to re-explain your corporate structure to a third party

•              Proactive compliance – We track deadlines and remind you when action is required

•              End-to-end service – From verification to confirmation statement filing, we handle it all

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Don’t risk penalties or filing rejections.

Whether you need to verify as a new director, ensure your company’s confirmation statement can be filed on time, or simply want peace of mind that compliance is handled, contact us today.