Significant changes are coming to Companies House and company directors. The ECCTA (Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act 2023) is reshaping how Companies House manages information.  

The goal of these changes is to make the public register more accurate and transparent, so that companies and their representatives can be more easily identified by stakeholders and the public.

What is happening and when?

Voluntary ID verification – April 2025

From 8^th April 2025, identification requirements will come into effect for company directors and persons with significant control (PSCs).  

This means they have an opportunity to verify their identity with Companies House before it becomes mandatory. It is a soft launch, enabling directors and PSCs to verify early and avoid the stress of last-minute verification ahead of the deadline.

Mandatory ID verification – Autumn 2025 (TBC)

From Autumn 2025 (exact date TBC), ID verification will become mandatory for ALL company director and PSCs on both incorporation and appointment.

12-month transition period for existing directors and PSCs – Autumn 2025

In addition to mandatory ID verification for company directors and PSCs, Autumn 2025 will also see the start of the new 12-month transition period for EXISTING directors and PSCs.

This means, if you’re a director or PSC already on the register before autumn 2025, you’ll have until autumn 2026 to complete identity verification. After then, if you’re not verified, you may no longer be able to act in that role legally.

How will these changes affect you?

If you are a company officer, director or PSC, the obvious impact of these changes will be the need to undergo ID verification. You can do this right now on a voluntary basis, or wait until it’s mandatory and verify then. Whichever route you choose, it is imperative that you don’t miss the deadline!

What about Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs)?

Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) are third party businesses who are authorised by clients to submit info to Companies House on their behalf.  

They are also permitted to verify the ID of company directors, PSCs and other significant figures involved in the company.

ACSPs are typically one of the following:

• Accountants

• Solicitors

• Company formation agents

• Trust and company service providers

If you are one of these, you will know that not every company director or PSC will be verifying their ID through Companies House themselves – they will probably ask you to do it for them.

Can you submit ID verification on behalf of clients?

The good news is that this will still be possible under the new rules. HOWEVER, Companies House will only be accepting ID verification from third parties that are officially registered as ACSPs.

Registering as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

Third party companies have been able to register as ACSPs since March 2025.

• To become an ACSP, your company must be supervised under the UK’s money laundering regulations (such as ICAEW and FCA).

• You must also register with Companies House as an ACSP.

• A senior individual (such as a director) must complete ID verification as part of the registration process.

• You must always keep your business information up to date on Companies House.

When this is all sorted, you will receive an online account and unique ID number and will be able to verify director and PSC identities and submit filings on their behalf.

How to verify identity of clients

• When acting as an ACSP to confirm the identity of a client director or PSC, you will need the person’s full name, date of birth and address.

• You must review their documents carefully to verify the person’s identity.  

• ID documents should be cross-referenced with other documents and biometric data.

• You can authenticate these docs using Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT) – or you can consult a professional.

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For a comprehensive breakdown of all current and future rules relating to Companies House registration, please visit gov.uk.

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