Companies House Identity Verification (UK ECCTA)
The UK’s Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 is phasing in identity verification at Companies House. It is intended to make the companies register more reliable by checking the identities of people who run, control and file for UK companies.
The Companies House identity verification regime is a central part of the UK Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, commonly called ECCTA. The Act gives Companies House broader powers to improve the quality of information on the UK companies register, challenge suspicious filings and help prevent fraud, false company information and misuse of corporate structures.
Identity verification is being introduced in stages. Voluntary verification opened in 2025. From 18 November 2025, verification became a legal requirement for new company directors and new people with significant control, or PSCs. Requirements for existing companies and for people acting on behalf of companies are being phased in under Companies House implementation plans.
What ECCTA identity verification covers
The regime requires relevant individuals to prove that they are who they say they are before, or in connection with, taking certain roles and making certain filings. It is not simply a company-level check. The focus is on natural persons connected to a company, including the people who manage it, ultimately control it or submit information to the register.
- Company directors, including directors appointed to UK companies after the mandatory requirement began.
- People with significant control (PSCs). A PSC is generally a person who owns or controls a company, for example through more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or through other significant influence or control.
- People who file information for companies, subject to the phased introduction of the relevant filing and access requirements. This may include individuals acting through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Timeline and transition arrangements
The key date is 18 November 2025. From that date, new directors and new PSCs were required to verify their identity under the new rules. Companies House has also provided transition arrangements for people already on the register when mandatory verification began.
For existing directors, the deadline is linked to the company’s next confirmation statement, the periodic filing used to confirm that Companies House information is accurate and up to date. This approach spreads compliance across companies’ normal filing cycles rather than requiring every existing director to act on one date. Existing PSCs have separate transition arrangements and should check the current Companies House guidance for the deadline that applies to their circumstances.
How individuals can verify
There are two main routes. An individual can verify directly with Companies House using GOV.UK One Login, the UK government’s sign-in and identity service. Alternatively, they can use an ACSP.
An ACSP is a business, such as an accountancy, legal or company-formation firm, that is registered with Companies House to provide authorised services. It must also be supervised for anti-money laundering purposes. Anti-money laundering supervision means the firm is overseen for compliance with rules designed to prevent criminals from moving or disguising illicit funds.
Once identity verification is completed, the individual receives a Companies House personal code. The code is used to connect the verified person to relevant company roles or filings. It should be handled carefully, since it is personal to the individual and may be needed when information is filed or a role is registered.
Why the changes matter for KYB
For know your business (KYB) processes, ECCTA can improve the usefulness of Companies House data. KYB is the process banks, marketplaces, payment providers and other organisations use to assess a business customer, including its legal existence, ownership and control.
A public register cannot eliminate fraud or replace risk-based due diligence. However, a register in which the people behind companies have undergone identity checks can provide a stronger starting point for company verification and beneficial ownership checks. Beneficial ownership refers to the real people who ultimately own or control an entity, even where ownership is held through other companies or nominees.
Non-compliance and practical next steps
Failure to meet identity verification requirements can restrict a company’s ability to make required filings or register certain changes. ECCTA also creates possible offences for non-compliance and for providing false or misleading information. The precise consequences depend on the person’s role, the relevant filing and the applicable transition rules.
This explainer is not legal advice. Companies, directors, PSCs and filing agents should review current Companies House guidance, including deadlines and transition arrangements, because implementation is phased and requirements may differ by role.