Companies House have officially announced the 18th of November 2025 as the start of Mandatory Identity Verification roll out.
The Mandatory Identity Verification roll out was first announced in April 2025 and follows the introduction of identity verification to UK company law in 2023 which gave Companies House new powers to tackle economic crime. The new change is aimed to provide a clear view on who is controlling UK companies in a bid to fight fraud and financial crime.
Gov.UK has stated that from the 18th November:
- New directors will need to verify their identity to incorporate a company or be appointed to an existing company.
- Existing directors will need to confirm they have verified their identity at the same time as they file their next annual confirmation statement, during a 12-month transition period.
- Existing PSCs will need to verify their identity in line with an appointed day within 12 months of the commencement of mandatory identity verification on 18 November.
In addition, Companies House has clarified that Director Registration Codes (DRCs), which are essential for identity verification, will be added through the confirmation statement process. This means the process of compliance will be tied closely to an existing statutory filing.
Back in April, we launched a brand-new Director Verification check, specifically to align with the new regulations coming into play. If you’ve not seen it yet, check it out here.
It’s designed to streamline compliance, combining the latest Companies House standards with existing AML legislation. This dual compliance approach drastically reduces the administrative burden for ACSPs while increasing confidence in their compliance.
