“Show us your ID!”
From 18 November 2025, all company directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) in the UK will be required to verify their identity with Companies House. This is part of a major reform under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, aimed at strengthening the integrity of the UK’s corporate registry.
Why?
The UK has long been recognised as one of the easiest places in the world to set up a company. Unfortunately, that simplicity has also been exploited by fraudsters and criminals setting up fake or illegitimate companies to commit fraud, launder money, or mislead the public.
This new ID verification process is designed to:
- Prevent fraudulent companies from being set up with false director information
- Improve the accuracy of the Companies House register
- Deter criminals from using UK companies for illegal activity
- Build trust in UK businesses, especially among international partners and investors
At its core, this reform is about making sure that the people running UK companies are who they say they are.
Who needs to verify?
- New directors and PSCs will be required to verify their identity at the point of incorporation or appointment.
- Existing directors and PSCs will have 12 months from the 18 November start date to complete the process and must do so before filing their next confirmation statement.
- There is a 14-day deadline for newly appointed PSCs to verify after being recorded.
We recommend:
- Verifying early – Don’t leave it until just before your confirmation statement is due.
- Being cautious – Only respond to legitimate notifications and avoid scams or phishing emails related to this process.
- Getting in touch with us if you’re unsure – we may be able to verify your ID for you.
