This is an official email from Companies House, sent to all registered email addresses. If you’re a third party agent who has received this email on behalf of a company, please forward this message to the company director(s).
Identity verification
All company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) need to verify their identity to prove who they are. This is a new legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to help prevent people using companies for illegal purposes.
Identity verification will become mandatory in autumn 2025.
Act now and verify your identity before it becomes a requirement.
Early action will help you to avoid delays or complications. If your company has multiple officers, allow plenty of time for each one to verify their identity. Directors based outside of the UK may also need extra time if they plan to use an authorised agent, also known as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify their identity.
How to verify your identity
You can verify:
online using GOV.​UK One Login – if you have the identity documents or information required
in person at selected Post Offices – you must live in the UK and will need to use the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service first to find out if you can verify this way
using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – for example, an accountant or solicitor who has registered as a Companies House authorised agent (you’ll need to provide suitable identity documents)
What happens when you verify
Identity verification is a two-step process.
Step 1: Verify your identity and get your Companies House personal code.
This code is personal to you, not the company. Keep this information secure until you need to use it.
Step 2: From autumn 2025, link your verified identity to our records.
You’ll need to provide your personal code and a verification statement for each company role you hold. We’ll provide more information on how to do this in the coming months.
Read guidance on verifying your identity for Companies House
If you or any other directors do not comply with identity verification requirements on time, you will not be able to file your company’s confirmation statement or other filings.
You’ll also be committing an offence and there are a range of consequences, including a financial penalty and being unable to start a new company.
Check the register
It’s important to make sure we hold the correct details for each director and PSC of your company.
You will not be able to complete identity verification if the personal information on your identity documents, such as your date of birth, does not match the information held on our register.
Check the details we hold for you and your company.
You can tell us about some changes online. For other changes, such as incorrect or missing information about directors or people with significant control (PSCs) on your incorporation documents, you’ll need to file a paper form.
How to keep up to date
Read all the latest updates on our Changes to UK company law website and sign up for our regular email newsletters.
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