Less Than a Month to Go: Companies House Identity Verification Mandatory from 18 November!

The countdown is on and the clock is ticking faster than you realise. In less than a month, the new compulsory Companies House identity verification rules under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 will come into force.

From 18 November 2025, every UK company director, LLP member and Person with Significant Control (PSC) will legally be required to verify their identity with Companies House.

This isn’t a distant administrative change. It’s a major shake-up that will catch out thousands of company directors who have yet to prepare. Failure to act now could leave your company unable to file returns, appoint directors or even trade legally.

What is The New Companies House Identity Verification & Why You Should Care

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, the Government is introducing strict identity checks to make Companies House a more reliable register and to tackle fraud, money laundering and “ghost” directors.

That means every individual involved in running or owning a company, including directors, LLP members, and PSCs, must prove who they are before they can continue to operate within the UK company framework.

This process is being rolled out on 18 November 2025, with a 12-month transition window for existing company officers and controllers. But don’t be fooled by the word transition. The deadlines are tighter and more complex than they sound.

What Are The Deadlines for Companies House Identity Verification?

For Existing Company Directors

If you’re already listed as a director of a company, then you must complete identity verification before your next Confirmation Statement after 18 November. If you miss this, your company will be unable to file and may face severe compliance penalties.

For Existing PSCs

If you are a PSC of a company, i.e., you own or control more than 25% of a company, you’ll have to verify your identity within the first 14 days of your birth month after 18 November unless you’ve already been verified as a director.

That means, for many PSCs, the window could open as early as December. Waiting until Companies House contacts you is risky so verification must be completed proactively.

For New Directors, PSCs & LLP members

From 18 November onwards, no appointment will be valid until the individual is verified. That means:

• A new company cannot be incorporated unless all proposed directors are verified
• A director cannot begin acting in their role until his/her identity verification is complete
• A PSC who has not verified will not legally appear on the register

Any attempt to act without verification will be a criminal offence.

The Consequences of Ignoring The Identity Verification Rules

Failing to verify your identity in time could trigger a cascade of issues like:

• Companies House will reject filings such as Confirmation Statements or changes in directorships
• Directors and PSCs may face criminal prosecution or civil penalties
• Your company could be struck off the register, effectively ending its legal existence
• Banks, solicitors and accountants will refuse to deal with unverified entities

In short, non-compliance isn’t just an administrative hiccup. It’s a business-stopping disaster.

Waiting Could Lead to Failure. Verify Now!

As the November deadline approaches, tens of thousands of directors across the UK and abroad will be rushing to complete identity verification. The Companies House system, still relatively new, will be under full load and could lead to delays, technical errors and rejected submissions.

Even experts are warning directors and PSCs of a likely bottleneck as the cut-off date nears.

If you wait until the last minute to start the process, you’ll be competing with everyone else. And when the system slows down — or worse, locks you out — you’ll have no excuse in the eyes of Companies House.

Don’t Go It Alone. Get an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

Identity verification can be done directly through Companies House, but for most company owners, especially non-residents or those with multiple entities, the smarter move is to verify through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

UK Property Accountants is one of these authorised service providers, fully approved to complete Companies House identity verification on behalf of company directors, LLP members and PSCs.

Here’s why working with an ACSP like UK Property Accountants (UKPA) is critical:

• Fast-Tracked Verification - Avoid the queues and confusion of self-verification.
• Expert Handling – UK Property Accountants ensures all documentation meets Companies House standards. We decrease your chances of rejection.
• Comprehensive Compliance - Our team not only verifies your identity but ensures your entire company record is compliant with the new rules.
• Specialist Support for Non-Resident Directors - If you live abroad but own or manage a UK company, we can complete your verification remotely and efficiently.

In other words, using UK Property Accountants means you can stop worrying and start complying — before it’s too late.

What You Should Do Immediately

There’s no time for delay. Here’s your immediate action plan:

• Check your company records and list all directors, PSCs and LLP members
• Confirm who has (and hasn’t) been verified
• Contact UK Property Accountants to arrange identity verification before the 18 November deadline
• Ensure your Confirmation Statement and filings are up to date because delays here could expose compliance gaps
• Stay informed, further changes under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act will continue rolling out into 2026

Conclusion

With less than a month remaining, every day counts.

Companies House will not issue extensions. It will not waive penalties. And once the deadline hits, there’s no grace period.

If your identity isn’t verified by the time your next Confirmation Statement is due, your company’s compliance status will immediately be at risk.

Don’t assume someone else in your organisation is handling it. Don’t wait until Companies House sends a notice. By then, it might already be too late.