New Director ID Verification Rules: What You Need to Know

As part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, Companies House is introducing new identity verification requirements for company directors and other key individuals. These changes aim to increase corporate transparency, reduce fraud, and improve the reliability of the UK’s business register.

At AEL Markhams Ltd, we will be registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), which means we can carry out identity verification checks on your behalf to help you meet these new legal obligations.

Who Must Verify Their Identity?

From autumn 2025, the following individuals will be required to verify their identity with Companies House:

• Company directors
• People with Significant Control (PSCs)
• Members of LLPs and partners in limited partnerships
• Relevant officers of relevant legal entities
• Filing agents (such as accountants, solicitors, and other service providers)
• Anyone submitting information to Companies House on behalf of a company

This requirement applies to both UK entities and overseas companies registered with Companies House.

Key Dates to Remember

How Will Verification Work?

There are two ways individuals can verify their identity:

1. Directly through Companies House
   Individuals may verify online using the new Companies House digital service, or in person at select Post Office branches.
2. Via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
   As your accountants and ACSPs, we can verify and submit identity confirmation on your behalf using approved digital processes.

Verification will require submission of personal details such as full name, date of birth, current and previous addresses (past 12 months), and a valid form of ID (passport, driving licence, or biometric card). For digital verification, biometric or facial recognition technology may also be used.

What Are the Consequences of Non-Compliance?

Failure to complete identity verification may lead to:

• Inability to incorporate a company or appoint a director
• Rejection of filings with Companies House
• Financial penalties or criminal sanctions for false or missing information
• Potential removal of the company from the register

How We Can Help

As an ACSP, we will:

• Handle identity verification for directors and PSCs on your behalf
• Ensure all identity checks are compliant with legal requirements
• Maintain the required audit trail and record keeping for seven years
• Notify you of upcoming deadlines and any changes in legislation

We will be reaching out to all affected clients over the coming months to explain the process and begin preparing for the upcoming changes.

If you have any questions or would like us to assist with ID verification, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.