Companies House has now launched a new identity verification process. Over the coming months ID verification will become a legal requirement.
The rules apply to:
- existing and new company directors
- people with significant control of a company (“PSCs”)
- company secretaries
- authorised agents.
Non-Compliance will be a Criminal Offence
The new legal requirements are designed to combat fraud and ensure that individuals linked to companies are who they claim to be. If you do not verify your identity by the required deadlines, then you will be committing a criminal offence (which comes with a fine), and you could be disqualified from acting as a director.
Additionally, the company itself, and any other directors, could be committing an offence, so it pays to ensure that everyone linked to your company is complying with this new requirement.
Deadlines
The deadlines for verification are varied, but for existing company directors and PSCs you will need to verify your identity from Autumn 2025. But as the process is available now, there’s no harm in getting it done immediately.
Simple Process
The process itself is quite simple. If you have a smart phone and a biometric passport, the Companies House website will guide you through downloading the official GOV.UK ID app, which will take a photograph of your passport, scan the ID chip in the passport, and then take a detailed scan of your face. Your ID will then be confirmed, and you will receive a personal code which will be required to verify each role you have and when filing documents, such as your Company’s annual confirmation statement.
You can also verify your identity the old-fashioned way in person at selected Post Offices.
Get Ahead
Non completion of a simple administration task could have serious consequences for you personally and the business so It’s worth being proactive, especially If the company has numerous roles that need to be verified.
Contact Us for Support
If you have any questions about the process, or about any other legal matter, we are always happy to offer a complimentary consultation to Directors and business Founders which can be booked via our online booking system.
