IMPORTANT UPDATE: New Identity Verification Rules from Companies House

What you need to know about the introduction of mandatory identity verification by Companies House

There are important changes being introduced by Companies House related to the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which affect all UK companies and those involved in company management,

What’s Changing?

Companies House is implementing mandatory identity verification for:

• All company directors
• Persons with significant control (PSCs)
• Anyone filing on behalf of a company

This is part of a broader effort to improve corporate transparency and reduce economic crime.

What You Need to Know

• Identity verification will become a legal requirement for new appointments and incorporations from autumn 2025 (exact date to be decided on by Companies House). New companies will not be able to incorporate until all relevant parties are verified.
• For existing directors, PSCs and authorised agents, there will be a 12 month transition period, starting from Autumn 2025, during which identity verification must be completed.
• Verification can be handled either directly through Companies House if you wish to do this, or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (such as Alliotts LLP).

How We Can Help

We will be here to assist our clients with the verification process:

• Guide you through the verification requirements.
• Offer a full end-to-end Identity Verification Service on your behalf (where applicable and where you would like us to).
• Ensure all filings comply with the updated regulations.

What to Do Now

Although you may already have received a communication from Companies House regarding the requirement to have your identity verified, there is no immediate action required; in the interim we would advise all directors and PSCs to ensure that they have up-to-date ID documents (passport or driver’s licence, plus proof of address).

We will contact our clients with specific instructions in the next few months once Companies House releases further details and timelines.

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