What you need to know about the Companies House November 2025 deadline for ID verification
Published
The date is set. After months of anticipation, Companies House has confirmed its new rules for mandatory identity verification, which will begin on Tuesday 18 November 2025. You can read the full announcement on the government's website.
We know what you might be thinking: another deadline, another change to get your head around. The rules can seem complicated, and with everything else you're spinning, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
But don’t worry. We've gone through the details to give you a clear, simple breakdown of what’s happening, when, and what it means for you and your clients.
What are the new Companies House ID verification deadlines?
The new rules, part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), are designed to make the UK's company register more reliable and prevent it from being used for economic crime.
How and when someone needs to verify their identity depends on their role.
For directors: From 18 November 2025, every director will need a verified identity code to file a company's confirmation statement. Put simply, if a director isn’t verified, you won’t be able to file. This applies to every company they are a director of.
For People with Significant Control (PSCs): The deadline for PSCs is a little more varied.
If they're also a director of the same company: They need to verify as a director for the confirmation statement and then verify again separately as a PSC within 14 days.
If they're a PSC but not a director: They must verify within the first 14 days of their birth month, starting from November 2025. For example, if their birthday is 20 January, they have between 1 and 14 January to verify.
If they become a PSC after 18 November 2025: They have 14 days to verify from the date they’re added to the register.
Get ahead of the verification rush
We're already helping firms prepare for these changes, with a solution for managing director and client ID checks in bulk. If you're looking for a simple, secure way to handle ID verification that meets Companies House requirments ahead of the deadline, we can help.
How do these changes affect accountants and their clients?
These changes aren't just for your clients. They directly impact how you work.
The key takeaway is that from late 2025, unverified directors will halt submissions. This is a great opportunity to get ahead, strengthen your Anti-Money Laundering (AML) processes, and guide your clients through the changes, showing them they're in safe hands.
It also brings the role of Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) into sharp focus.
If you want to offer ID verification services directly to your clients, you need to register as an ACSP now.
Even if you only file information on your clients' behalf, you will need to be registered as an ACSP to do this from spring/summer 2026.
Now is the perfect time to start those conversations with clients and prepare your firm for the road ahead.
Your questions, answered
We know you'll have questions, so we’ve answered some of the most common ones here.
What is Companies House identity verification?
It’s a new legal requirement to confirm the identity of all company directors and PSCs in the UK. The goal is to improve the accuracy of the Companies House register and help prevent companies from being used for economic crime.
What happens if a director or PSC misses the deadline?
If a director isn't verified by the time their company's confirmation statement is due, it won't be possible to file the statement. This can lead to compliance issues for the company. For PSCs, there will be a separate process to follow. The best approach is to prepare your clients well before their deadline.
Can I verify my clients' identities on their behalf?
Yes, you can, but your firm must be registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to offer ID verification services to clients.
Why is this happening now?
These changes are part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA). The act gives Companies House more power to improve the integrity of the UK's company register and make it harder for bad actors to hide behind anonymous corporate structures.
We're here to help
Navigating new regulations can be a challenge, but you don’t have to do it alone. Protecting people and businesses from fraud is why we exist.
If you’d like to read more about the changes, we’ve published a few other guides to help you get prepared:
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