Companies House ID verification update – important for Directors and PSC’s

You may have recently received an email from Companies House (or us where we act as your registered email address) in relation to Verifying Your Identity with Companies House. This is a measure that Companies House have introduced as one of the key changes under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

The new legislation’s aim

The aim of this new legislation is to reduce the risk of fraud and improve transparency, trust and accuracy of the information held on the Companies House register.

Who needs to verify their identity?

From Autumn/Winter 2025 (specific date is yet to be released) this will become mandatory for all new company incorporations and Confirmation Statements for anyone registered in the following roles:

• Director (or equivalent – eg member, general partner)
• Person with significant control (PSC)
• Someone who files on behalf of the company (eg company secretary)

Further information can be found in our recent blog here.

How to Verify Your Identity

As noted above, it’s not currently mandatory to verify your identity with Companies House. However, should you wish to verify early, you can do this as follows:

• Online using GOV.UK One Login via this link; or
• In person at selected Post Offices.

There is another route to use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), and we understand Companies House has suggested in their email that your accountant may be able to complete identity verification for you, with you providing suitable identity documents.

It should be noted that for the vast majority of individuals, the simplest and cheapest option for verification will be for the individual to complete the process themselves. The use of an ACSP won’t remove much, if any, of the need to provide documentation/information. As with most professional firms, Carpenter Box and the Sumer Group are in the process of assessing how and when we will provide ACSP services, and there will be further communications soon.

FAQs

Q: I am a director of multiple companies, do I need to do this more than once?
A: No, the identity verification is in relation to you as an individual, not a specific company. Once verified, you will be issued with a code that will link your identity to each company as future filings are made.
 
Q: What email address should be used for the GOV.UK One Login?
A: The email address you use should be one that is personal to you and not a shared address. If you have an existing Companies House account you should use the same email address. This is separate from the registered email address of the company.
 
Q: I have registered and been issued a code, what do I do with the code?
A: Keep this code safe and secure. The code will be required when filing the first Confirmation Statement once the process becomes mandatory in Autumn 2025 and for any future filings. If we act for you in relation to Company Secretarial matters, please share this code with your usual contact at Carpenter Box in due course.

What happens if you don’t comply?

It should be noted that failure to comply with the verification process once it becomes a legal requirement will be committing an offence (you could be disqualified, and you may have to pay a financial penalty or fine). Additionally, you will be unable to file your Confirmation Statement or any other documents at Companies House on behalf of your company.

If you have any questions, please contact our Company Secretarial team on 01903 234094 or email cosec@carpenterbox.com.