The corporate calendar has just gained a new date that business owners cannot afford to ignore. Here, Andrew Diver, Head of Tax at Beatons Group in Ipswich outlines the long-trailed Companies House identity verification rules that begin to take effect from November 18, 2025.
From Autumn onwards, the way UK companies manage their statutory filings will change fundamentally – and the businesses that plan ahead will be the ones that avoid disruption.
These new requirements come under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, a wide-reaching piece of legislation designed to combat fraud, improve the accuracy of the public register and increase transparency in corporate life.
At its heart is a simple but significant shift: every company director, whether newly appointed or long-standing, will have to prove they are who they say they are.
Without this verification, not only will new appointments be rejected, but existing directors could find themselves unable to file key documents – with all the consequences that follow.
Timing is critical
From November 2025, the requirement will first apply to new directors, who will need to complete the verification process before they can take up their role.
For existing directors, the obligation is tied to the company’s Confirmation Statement.
The rules state that verification must be completed before the first Confirmation Statement due after 18 November 2025.
That means 18 November 2026 becomes the absolute long-stop date for compliance.
However, waiting until the last moment would be a risky strategy, particularly for companies with multiple directors or overseas appointees.
What does this mean in practice?
For the first time, Companies House will not simply accept a name and address for the public record.
Directors will need to confirm their identity through a secure online portal, which is likely to involve uploading official documents such as a passport or driving licence alongside a selfie or biometric scan.
Alternatively, the verification can be handled by an Authorised Corporate Service Provider – typically an accountant, solicitor or company formation agent – who has been registered with Companies House to carry out the checks on behalf of clients.
Once completed, a director will be issued with a unique identifier, which must then be used in all future filings.
This shift represents a change in role for Companies House, moving from a passive register of information to an active gatekeeper.
Over the past year, HMRC has removed 210,000 false records from Companies House.
The aim is to make it harder for fraudsters to create fictitious companies or hide beneficial ownership behind nominee directors.
Making it simple
For legitimate businesses, the process should be straightforward – but it does add another compliance step to manage, and the consequences of overlooking it could be severe.
An unverified director may not be recognised in law, and the company could find itself unable to submit returns, which in turn could lead to penalties or even prosecution.
The scope of the new rules extends beyond limited companies too.
Limited Liability Partnerships, certain members of Limited Partnerships and People with Significant Control over any entity will also be required to complete verification.
Overseas companies registered in the UK are not exempt, and in fact may face greater practical challenges in gathering and submitting the necessary documents. This makes early preparation essential, particularly where directors are based outside the UK.
The sensible approach is to treat the coming months as a preparation period.
Begin by reviewing your list of directors and People with Significant Control to ensure that all details are accurate and up to date.
Make sure that everyone affected understands the new obligations and the timelines.
By acting early, you can avoid the risk of last-minute problems that might disrupt your ability to file accounts, submit Confirmation Statements or make other statutory filings.