Setting up a company in the UK is quick, straightforward and affordable. It’s one of the reasons our country remains an attractive place to do business. In return for limited liability — which protects personal assets — companies agree to have their details published on the UK’s open corporate register.
The register is a valuable resource. It helps businesses make informed decisions, supports transparency, and plays a key role in the UK economy. Companies House data is estimated to be worth between £1 billion and £3 billion a year to users.
As part of our transformation, we’re introducing identity verification to help make the information on the register more reliable. This is good news for business, users of the register and efforts to tackle economic crime.
We've designed our identity verification processes to be simple, secure and robust. We'll verify identities using existing forms of identities, such as a passport or driving licence. Our identity verification requirements will not create a digital ID for company directors or people with significant control (PSCs). It's designed solely to prove that people are who they say they are.
What’s changing and when
From 18 November 2025, directors and PSCs will be legally required to verify their identity. We’ll be phasing this in over 12 months and will contact companies with guidance on what to do and when.
Identity verification will help make sure that the people setting up, running and controlling companies are who they say they are. This will:
- improve the accuracy and reliability of data on the register
- strengthen protections against fraud
- support a more transparent and trusted business environment
By linking verified individuals to their company roles and activity, we’ll be better able to spot suspicious patterns and respond to potential risks. It will also prevent unverified or false identities - such as fictional or deceased individuals - from being added to the register.
The introduction of identity verification will make it much harder to use the register to create anonymous corporate structures that enable fraud, corruption or other criminal activity.
This is an important step in making the register a more trusted and transparent source of information. It will support a fairer and safer business environment for everyone.
Building business confidence and credibility
Being listed on the Companies House register is not just about limited liability. It also helps businesses build credibility, win contracts and show they're serious about what they do. Identity verification will play a key role in:
- giving confidence to investors and consumers
- giving greater transparency about the organisations they do business with
- promoting global confidence in our data
Journalists, trading standards and law enforcement often advise consumers to check whether a trader is listed on Companies House. Identity verification will help make sure that this listing reflects genuine and trustworthy information.
A verified presence on the register can demonstrate legitimacy and professionalism. This enhanced credibility could help open doors to new opportunities - from securing better supplier relationships to accessing finance.
Companies House data also helps businesses to:
- carry out due diligence on suppliers and customers
- access finance, including credit and grants
- add value to their own services and products
The new measures will work together to make the register more accurate. They include:
- identity verification
- powers to query and reject information
- improved financial reporting
This will enable better decisions by those who rely on Companies House data.
Identity verification is another step forward in helping UK businesses thrive by making Companies House data more robust, reliable and valuable.
How to verify your identity
Identity verification is designed to be straightforward and for most people, you will only have to verify once. There are 2 ways to verify your identity:
- directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login
- through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
We encourage you to verify your identity as early as possible. Since April 2025, hundreds of thousands of directors and PSCs have already verified their identities during the voluntary period.
Read more about verifying your identity for Companies House.
14 comments
Comment by Denise Blunden posted on
Your list of ACSPS DO NOT EXIST how are people supposed to find one when your website is making it impossible! What a joke
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Denise,
Thanks for your comment.
There isn’t a list of active ACSPs on our website yet. We have invited all registered ACSPs to give their consent to be included on a public list and we plan to publish this in the coming weeks. Once the list is live, we’ll promote it widely across our channels.
If you already work with an agent or accountant, you may wish to ask whether they are registered or plan to register as an ACSP. If they are not, they may be able to refer you to someone in their professional network who is.
Alternatively, you can search online for a UK-based agent or accountant who is registered as an ACSP with Companies House. We recommend carrying out your own due diligence. Research the firm online and contact them directly to confirm they are legitimate.
Comment by Gerard O' Leary posted on
I have tried to verify my identity and it would not accept my driver licence details up to date when I contacted CH I got advice and transferred to the technology departmrnt and he cut me off we are a dormant company and now I have to pay to verify £120.
..this can't be right
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Gerard,
Thanks for your comment.
There are different methods to verify your identity with GOV.UK One Login. The method you use will depend on your device, if you have photo ID, and what type of photo ID it is.
You can find more information on this here: https://www.gov.uk/using-your-gov-uk-one-login/proving-your-identity
If you have problems with GOV.UK One Login’s verification process you can find out how to contact them for support here: https://home.account.gov.uk/contact-gov-uk-one-login
Comment by mike lowe posted on
I do not have a biometric identification, a passport or a driving licence
Why can we not register with our National Insurance number? and a photograph
I am finding it difficult to get my identity confirmed.
The post office staff are not aware of the regulations on this.
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your comment.
There are different methods to verify your identity with GOV.UK One Login. The method you use will depend on your device, if you have photo ID, and what type of photo ID it is. You can find more information on this here: https://www.gov.uk/using-your-gov-uk-one-login/proving-your-identity
Not all Post Office branches offer the GOV.UK One Login identity verification service. You will need to start your journey online before visiting a Post Office: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house
Comment by SG posted on
I understand that ACSPs must scan a passport chip, if there is one, and if they are using IDVT. But what happens if the chip is broken?
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi SG,
Thanks for your comment.
There are a number of documents that an ACSP can use to verify your identity and they will advise you on this as part of the service they offer. Our How to meet Companies House identity verification standard - GOV.UK guidance also has information on this (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-meet-companies-house-identity-verification-standard#step-2-get-evidence-to-verify-the-persons-identity).
Comment by tim king posted on
Which email should I use for my ID? my company one or my private one? and with the coming of digital Id for everyone this becomes even more complex
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Tim,
Thanks for your comment.
If you have an account for our Find and update company information (https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk) or WebFiling (https://ewf.companieshouse.gov.uk) services, we recommend that you use the same email address as you use for this service/these services. This means that you will not lose any information that is saved in these accounts once they are all linked.
Comment by Hannah posted on
What protections do Directors and the company have if one Director does not complete this requirement? I am a Director and secretary of a small company, two of us have completed this and the third hasn’t despite repeated requests and highlighting the implications for non compliance. Do I have to apply to get them removed as a Director for not fulfilling a key requirement of the role? Get a lawyer?
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Hannah,
Thanks for your comment.
You’ll need to include the personal codes of all of your company’s directors on your confirmation statement. You won’t be able to file your confirmation statement without this information.
The company and its directors may be committing an offence for failing to file a confirmation statement.
If a director refuses to verify their identity before your confirmation statement due date you should consider professional advice.
Comment by Chris Aitken posted on
I'm not happy about this ID verification. It seems like my personal data will be compromised or accessed without my permission.
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Chris,
Thank you for your comment.
You can visit our website to find out what information is held on the Companies House register: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/your-personal-information-on-the-public-record-at-companies-house
Or read our personal information charter to see how we handle your personal data: http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house/about/personal-information-charter
Finally, you can read this privacy notice to find out how information is stored when you verify with GOV.UK One Login: http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/govuk-one-login-privacy-notice