Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (EETA), new and existing company directors, People with Significant Control (‘PSC’), and those filing documents with Companies House may need to have their identity verified. In this article, we will explain everything that you need to know about identity verification when registering a company in the UK, including the law, why verification is required, when it will become necessary, and the various methods for verifying your identity. At Uniwide Formations, as a Companies House authorised agent, when you use our services to register your company, we will verify your identity quickly and efficiently at no cost.
- The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 aims to prevent fraudulent registrations with Companies House.
- Identity verification is mandatory for company directors and those with significant control.
- Verification ensures only eligible individuals appear on the public record, reducing the risk of fraud.
- The identity verification process is largely a one-off, but re-verification may occur if concerns arise.
- Companies House will require verification for different roles starting from specific dates in 2025.
- Failure to verify identity may prevent critical actions, including filing documents or registering as an ACSP.
- A unique Companies House personal code will link verified identities to company records from autumn 2025.
Why is identity verification required by Companies House?
Companies House requires identity verification to ensure that only those who are supposed to be are placed on the public record. The government has made it clear in recent years that it intends to take robust action to disrupt economic crime and fraud while supporting economic growth. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 gave Companies House new enhanced powers. This includes the legal requirement for those in key positions of responsibility within companies registering with Companies House to have their identity verified. Companies House states that the new identity verification requirement will:
- Reduce the risk of fraud
- Improve transparency, trust and accuracy of information on the Companies House register
As an approved Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), we automatically carry out identity verification for all customers registering a company through us for free.
What is the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA)?
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), which came into force in October 2023, was introduced as part of efforts to prevent the registration of fraudulent individuals with Companies House.
Section 43 of the ECCTA states:
- An individual must not act as a director of a company unless the individual’s identity is verified
- A company must ensure that an individual does not act as a director unless the individual’s identity is verified
- A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence.
- If a company contravenes subsection (2), an offence is committed by—
- (a)The company, and
- (b)Every officer of the company is in default.
Who needs to have their identity verified?
Those who must have their identity verified when registering a company in the UK include:
- Company directors
- Individuals who are classed as the equivalent of a director (e.g. members, general partners and managing officers)
- Persons with significant control (PSC)
- Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSP) (also known as a Companies House authorised agent), and
- Individuals who file for a company (e.g. a company secretary).
Identity verification is a one-off process, however, re-verification may be requested by Companies House if they have concerns regarding the identity of a person on the public register.
From when is identity verification required by Companies House?
The point at which identity verification may be required by Companies House will depend on whether you are an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), director or person with significant control (PSC), or someone who files documents at Companies House:
| Role | When required to verify identity? |
|---|---|
|
Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSP) |
When applying to register as a Companies House authorised agent – from 18th March 2025. When verifying the identities of clients as an ACSP – from 8th April 2025. |
|
Directors and people with significant control (PSCs) |
You can choose to verify your identity from 8th April 2025. |
|
People who file with Companies House |
You are not yet required to verify your identity for Companies House. This is expected to be a legal requirement in the future. |
How can I verify my identity for Companies House?
You can have your identity verified in a number of ways, including:
- Online using the GOV.UK One Login service
- In person at a Post-Office in the United Kingdom – before using the post office identity verification service, you must first use the ’Verify your identity for Companies House’ service online
- Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – e.g., a company formation agent such as Uniwide Formations, Solicitor, or Accountant
Verifying identity online
The online Companies House identity verification service uses your GOV.UK One Login. There is no cost to use this service. To use the online service, you must have one of the following proofs of ID:
- Biometric passport from any country
- UK photo driving licence (full or provisional)
- UK biometric residence permit (BRP)
- UK biometric residence card (BRC) or
- UK Frontier Worker permit (FWP)
In addition to your form of identity, you will need your current address and the year you moved into that address. If you do not have any of the forms of ID listed above, you will need to verify your identity in person at the Post Office. Alternatively, you can provide your bank or building society details, National Insurance number and answer some additional security questions.
The key steps to follow are:
- Sign in to or create a GOV.UK One Login
- Answer the questions provided
- Depending on your answers, you will be advised whether to verify your identity through a mobile phone ‘app’ or your web browser.
Once your identity has been verified, you will receive a Companies House personal code (see below for more details), which will prove that you have completed the process successfully.
You can use the services of an ACSP (also known as a Companies House authorised agent), such as Uniwide Formations, to verify your identity. ACSPs may charge to verify your identity. Uniwide Formations automatically performs identity verification for all customers who are registering a new company at no cost.
The identity verification services of an ACSP can be used from any country, but your agent must be registered with Companies House and with a UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervisory body.
Your chosen ACSP will explain the process of identity verification and ask you for certain documents from an approved list as evidence of your identity.
What is a Companies House personal code?
A Companies House personal code is a unique identity verification number that you can use to provide that your identity has been successfully verified. You will need a Companies House personal code from Autumn 2025 to file a confirmation statement, be appointed as a director, or become a person with significant control (PSC).
Those who are already a director or PSC will need to use their Companies House personal code to link their verified identity to the records held by Companies House. As Companies House explains, connecting your verified identity to their records is a legal requirement that is intended to make sure they know your correct identity is linked to any roles you hold.
For security and fraud prevention purposes, it is essential that you only ever share your Companies House personal code with those you trust to file documents on your behalf, or on behalf of your company. It is recommended that you keep your code safe at all times.
What to do with your Companies House personal code
What you need to use your Companies House personal code for will depend on your role and when you started that role.
| Role | How to use your Companies House personal code |
|---|---|
|
Director |
|
|
Persons with significant control (PSCs) |
|
What are the consequences of not verifying my identity?
If you are required to verify your identity for Companies House but you fail to do so, you may be prevented from taking any of the following actions:
- Making any filings within Companies House
- Starting a new company or corporate entity
- Registering as an ACSP (i.e. a Companies House authorised agent)
In addition, as a director, you will be treated as having committed an offence and may be disqualified. Furthermore, the company (or entity) and all of its directors may also be committing an offence.
Final words
The new identity verification processes under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) are designed to stamp out company fraud in the UK. If you are a director, the equivalent of a director, or a person with significant control (PSC), it is important that you understand the new rules. You are personally responsible for making sure that your identity has been properly verified, and failure to do so can have serious legal consequences.
If you choose to use Uniwide Formations to handle your company registration and filing needs, you can be assured that as a Companies House authorised ACSP, we will undertake your identity verification checks and filing securely and to the highest standards.
