Client update: Important changes at Companies House – identity verification required from 18 November 2025

From 18 November 2025, Companies House is introducing major reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

These changes are designed to improve transparency and prevent misuse of UK companies. The key update is that all company directors, people with significant control (PSCs), and those filing on behalf of companies will need to verify their identity.

Who Must Verify Their Identity

1. All new directors and PSCs – must verify their identity before their appointment or registration.
2. Existing directors and PSCs – must verify their identity by the date of their company’s first confirmation statement filed after 18 November 2025.
3. Anyone filing information with Companies House on behalf of a company (e.g. accountants, agents) must either:
   • Be a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), or
   • Verify their own identity directly with Companies House.

What Is an ACSP?

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider is a firm (like APH Accountants Ltd) that is:

• Supervised under the UK’s Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, and
• Registered with Companies House to verify identities and file on clients’ behalf.

Once registered, we can complete the verification for your directors and PSCs, submit confirmations directly to Companies House, and ensure your company remains fully compliant.

What You’ll Need to Do

If you’re a director or PSC of a company:

• You’ll need to verify your identity once only (it doesn’t have to be repeated each year).
• You can do this in one of two ways:
  1. Directly yourself through Companies House using GOV.UK One Login (with passport or driving licence), or
  2. Through APH Accountants Ltd, once we are registered as an ACSP — we can complete the check for you. Our charge for this will be £25+Vat per person and you must provide us with accurate relevant information in a timely manner otherwise further charges will apply.

After verification, Companies House will issue you a personal verification code (a unique ID that links your verified identity to your company record).

If you do this yourself it is essential you provide us with your personal verification code ASAP so that we can do the relevant companies house filing on your behalf.

If you’re a new company formation or director appointment:

• We will not be able to incorporate or appoint directors unless the individuals have been verified in advance.

What You’ll Need for Verification

Acceptable documents include:

• A passport, UK driving licence, biometric residence permit, or EEA national identity card
• If you don’t have any of these, Companies House will offer a manual process using a birth certificate and supporting proof of address with a countersigned photo.

Key Dates

18 November 2025 – Identity verification system goes live

From this date all new directors and PSCs must verify before appointment.
By your next confirmation statement after this date all existing directors and PSCs must have verified.

Spring 2026 – All third-party filers (e.g. accountants) must be registered ACSPs

Why This Matters

If directors or PSCs are not verified, Companies House may:

• Reject new appointments or incorporations
• Prevent the company from filing confirmation statements or updates
• Impose financial penalties
• In serious cases, remove unverified directors from the register

How APH Accountants Will Help

We’re preparing our systems and client onboarding to meet these new requirements. Our firm will:

• Register as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) with Companies House
• Offer simple, secure identity verification for all our director and PSC clients
• Store your verification status safely within our compliance system
• Notify you when it’s time to act, with clear instructions

You won’t need to do anything right now — we’ll contact you directly when it’s time to complete your verification.

Keeping Your Data Safe

All identity checks will comply with GDPR and UK AML regulations. We use secure technology and retain verification records for the legally required period only.

Questions?

If you have any questions about how these changes affect you or your company, please contact your usual APH Accountants adviser or email:
admin@aphaccountants.co.uk
0151 123 4567

We’ll guide you through the process step by step to ensure your company remains fully compliant.

APH Accountants Ltd
“Helping businesses stay compliant, transparent, and ahead of the curve.”