Mandatory ID Checks: Your Essential Guide to the New Companies House Rules

Introduction: Why Companies House ID & Address Verification is Now Mandatory

The UK is ushering in a transformative era for corporate governance with the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) 2023, marking the most significant overhaul of company law in over 150 years. Designed to combat economic crime and enhance trust in the UK’s business landscape, this landmark legislation introduces mandatory identity verification for millions of company directors, Persons with Significant Control (PSCs), and those filing on behalf of companies. Starting November 18, 2025, this requirement is no longer optional—it’s a legal necessity, backed by stringent penalties for non-compliance. This guide serves as your roadmap for navigating these changes with confidence. We’ll cover who needs to verify, critical deadlines, step-by-step verification processes, and how platforms like FormationsHunt can simplify compliance. Whether you’re a director, PSC, or accountant, acting early ensures your business remains compliant and thrives in this new era of transparency.

Who Must Verify Their Identity & Address?

The ECCTA casts a wide net to ensure the Companies House register reflects accurate, verified information. The following groups must comply:

• All Company Directors: Both new and existing directors of UK limited companies must verify their identity & address, ensuring accountability in corporate leadership.
• Persons with Significant Control (PSCs): Anyone owning more than 25% of shares, voting rights, or exerting significant control over a company must be verified.
• Filers and Agents: Individuals or Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs), such as accountants or solicitors, who submit documents to Companies House on behalf of others must also verify their identity.

This broad scope underscores the goal of a fraud-resistant register. Whether you’re a sole director or an agent managing multiple companies, verification is unavoidable and essential for compliance.

Critical Deadlines You Cannot Afford to Miss

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) introduces a phased rollout for mandatory identity verification, but missing these deadlines can halt your company’s filings and trigger penalties. Here are the key dates to ensure compliance:

• New Directors & PSCs (from 18 November 2025): Identity verification is mandatory before incorporating a new company or being appointed as a director or PSC. You must provide a unique personal code, issued upon verification, for filings to be accepted.
• Existing Directors: Must verify and submit their personal code with the company’s next annual Confirmation Statement after 18 November 2025. Check your company’s filing schedule now to prepare.
• Existing PSCs (Not Directors): Must verify and provide their personal code within the first 14 days of their birth month, as listed in the Companies House register (e.g., if your birthday is 22 January, verify by 14 January 2026).
• Existing PSCs (Also Directors): Must submit a separate PSC personal code via a dedicated Companies House service within 14 days of the company’s Confirmation Statement date, starting 18 November 2025.
• New PSCs (Post-18 November 2025): Must verify and provide their personal code when added to the Companies House register or within 14 days of being added.

Early action prevents last-minute stress and ensures uninterrupted business operations. FormationsHunt’s Online Company Manager offers reminders to keep you on track.

How to Complete Your Identity Verification

Verifying your identity under the new Companies House rules is effortless with FormationsHunt’s professional support. As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), we streamline the process, saving you time and ensuring compliance with the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA). Here’s how easy it is:

1. Contact FormationsHunt: Reach out via our Online Company Manager or support team to start your verification. No need to navigate complex systems; we handle the details.
2. Submit Your ID: To complete your verification, we require both a photo ID and proof of address from your country:
   1. Acceptable Photo ID (choose any one of the following):
      
      1. Valid passport (should not have expired)
      2. Current driving licence
      3. National identity card with your name, photograph, and date of birth
      4. Residence permit (for UK residents issued by the Home Office to EEA nationals)
      5. State identity card
   2. Acceptable Proof of Address (choose any one of the following):
      
      1. Recent utility bill (gas, electric, or water, issued within the last 3 months)
      2. Council tax bill (for the current year)
      3. Bank statement (or Building Society/Credit Union statement)
      4. Mortgage statement (issued within the last full year by a recognised lender)
      5. Tax demand letter
      6. Tenancy agreement (for the current year)
   3. You need to email our underwriting team at contact@formationshunt.co.uk, and we will guide you every step of the way. For any further support or details, you can contact our customer representative team via call, WhatsApp, or chat directly.
3. We Verify for You: Our team, as a supervised ACSP, confirms your identity with Companies House, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
4. Receive Your Personal Code: Get your unique Companies House personal code quickly, ready for all future filings, with no hassle.

With FormationsHunt, verification is seamless, fast, and stress-free. Our expert support eliminates technical hurdles, making compliance a breeze, whether you’re a director, PSC, or managing multiple companies. Plus, our Online Company Manager integrates verification with your filings, keeping everything in one place. Let FormationsHunt make it easy. Sign in to the Online Company Manager or contact our support team via call, WhatsApp, email, or chat directly to verify your identity today!

What Happens If You Don’t Comply?

Non-compliance with the ECCTA’s identity verification rules carries severe consequences, impacting both individuals and companies:

• Criminal Offence & Fines: Acting as a director or PSC without verification is a criminal offence, punishable by fines. Companies House enforces this rigorously.
• Disqualification: Persistent non-compliance may lead to disqualification from serving as a director, jeopardizing your business’s leadership.
• Filing Disruptions: Unverified individuals cannot submit filings, halting critical activities like annual Confirmation Statements or share allotments, which can paralyze operations.

These penalties underscore the importance of timely verification. FormationsHunt’s tools help you avoid these risks by guiding you through compliance.

Your Action Plan: What to Do Now

Stay ahead of the ECCTA requirements with this practical action plan:

1. Identify Affected Individuals: List all directors and PSCs in your company who need to verify their identity.
2. Check ID Compatibility: Ensure everyone has a valid photographic ID with a biometric chip (e.g., passport) and a valid address proof. For overseas individuals, please prepare certified documents (as listed above).
3. Verify Early: Let FormationsHunt handle your identity verification effortlessly as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Mail your details to us at contact@formationshunt.co.uk, and receive your personal code quickly, ensuring compliance well before deadlines.
4. Choose Your Route: Opt for the free direct method or FormationsHunt’s paid, assisted verification for convenience.

Proactive preparation keeps your business compliant and operational. FormationsHunt’s platform streamlines every step, from verification to filings. Start verifying now at FormationsHunt.

Conclusion

The ECCTA’s mandatory identity verification ushers in a new era of transparency and trust for UK businesses, strengthening the integrity of Limited Company Registration. Directors, PSCs, and filers must act to meet critical deadlines, ensuring compliance when you register a company name in the UK.

As one of the best company formation agents UK, FormationsHunt simplifies this process, offering seamless services to verify identities and manage filings effortlessly. Don’t risk penalties—embrace these changes to secure your business’s future. Whether it’s Ltd Company Registration or ID & Address Verification, FormationsHunt delivers streamlined solutions, earning the trust of customers on Trustpilot and establishing us as the UK’s most reliable company formation agent.

Sign in to FormationsHunt today to streamline your compliance and protect your company’s standing.