ID Verification Mandatory for UK Company Directors Start November 18

Starting November 18, 2025, all UK company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) will be required to verify their identity.

The change is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, aimed at reducing fraud and improving accountability in the UK’s business register.

Who Is Affected & How

The new rules will apply to an estimated 6 to 7 million individuals during a 12-month transition period.

• New directors must verify their identity before incorporation or appointment
• Existing directors must confirm their verified status with their next annual confirmation statement
• PSCs must complete verification within 14 days of appointment

After the respective deadlines, acting as a company director or LLP member without a verified ID will be a criminal offence.

Verification Options & Concerns

Verification can be done via:

• The GOV.UK One Login platform (free of charge), or
• An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

However, concerns have been raised about the One Login platform, which lost its security certification under the UK’s Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework in May 2025. It had not been re-certified as of early August, creating uncertainty among stakeholders.

Therefore, the better, smoother and easier option is to choose an Authorised Corporate Service Provider like UK Property Accountants.

ID Verifications Mandatory: A Push for Transparency & Trust

The reforms are part of a wider effort to stop the abuse of UK corporate structures for fraud, money laundering and shell activity.

Verified identities will improve the accuracy of public records and increase trust in company data.

Meanwhile, Companies House has said this mandatory identity verification will be “a one-off process that takes a few minutes” for most users. It will provide direct guidance to companies to help them meet the new obligations.

Conclusion: What Companies Should Do Now

• Ensure directors and PSCs are ready to verify their identities
• Monitor communication from Companies House for detailed guidance
• Begin reviewing internal compliance workflows ahead of the November start date

Those looking to verify their identities and ensure full compliance with prevalent laws should book a free 15-minute discovery call with UK Property Accountants - the Authorised Corporate Service Provider for Companies House Identity Verification.