Starting 18 November 2025, directors and people with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity with Companies House, a legal requirement designed to ensure that those setting up, running, and controlling companies are genuinely who they claim to be. The initiative aims to boost business confidence and support growth, without creating a digital ID for company directors or PSCs.
It's estimated that by mid-November 2026, between 6 million and 7 million people will need to complete this verification, which can be achieved in two ways:
• Directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login, which adheres to the highest security standards and complies with UK data protection laws; or
• Through Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs), such as solicitors, accountants, chartered secretaries, and governance professionals. In the future, these businesses will need to register as an ACSP to file on behalf of their clients.
The introduction of voluntary identity verification for PSCs entered into effect in April 2025. Since then, many individuals have already completed the verification process.
For guidance on verifying identity, visit the Companies House website -- Verifying your identity for Companies House - GOV.UK.
For more information on the implications of mandatory identity verification, please consult your regular BDO contact or the author of this article.
Daniel Lambert
Stuart Strong
BDO in United Kingdom
It's estimated that by mid-November 2026, between 6 million and 7 million people will need to complete this verification, which can be achieved in two ways:
• Directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login, which adheres to the highest security standards and complies with UK data protection laws; or
• Through Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs), such as solicitors, accountants, chartered secretaries, and governance professionals. In the future, these businesses will need to register as an ACSP to file on behalf of their clients.
The introduction of voluntary identity verification for PSCs entered into effect in April 2025. Since then, many individuals have already completed the verification process.
For guidance on verifying identity, visit the Companies House website -- Verifying your identity for Companies House - GOV.UK.
For more information on the implications of mandatory identity verification, please consult your regular BDO contact or the author of this article.
Daniel Lambert
Stuart Strong
BDO in United Kingdom