What Company Directors Must Know About the New Companies House Identity Verification Rules

Every director of a UK-registered company will soon be required to verify their identity with Companies House — a significant new obligation introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). With the rollout now under way, businesses that have not yet prepared risk delays, compliance headaches, and potential restrictions on their ability to file.

What is director identity verification?

The ECCTA introduced a new legal requirement for anyone who acts as a director, person of significant control (PSC), or company secretary to verify their identity directly with Companies House, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). The aim is to crack down on fraudulent use of the UK companies register and improve the transparency of corporate ownership.

Verification is not optional. Once the relevant provisions are fully enforced, Companies House will be able to annotate the register to show that a person has not verified — and there are criminal sanctions for those who fail to comply.

Who needs to verify, and when?

The requirement applies to all new company directors and PSCs at the point of incorporation or appointment, as well as existing directors and PSCs, who will need to complete verification during a transitional period. For existing officeholders, Companies House is rolling out verification in stages. Directors of companies that file accounts or confirmation statements will be prompted to verify as part of that process. However, waiting until you are prompted is not a strategy — the sooner verification is completed, the lower the risk of filing complications.

How does verification actually work?

There are two routes. The first is direct verification through the Companies House online service, using GOV.UK One Login. This is suitable for individuals who are comfortable with the digital process and have the required documentation to hand.

The second route — and the one most relevant for directors who are overseas, who lack a current UK passport or driving licence, or who simply want certainty — is verification through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. ACSPs are regulated professionals, including notaries, accountants, and solicitors, who have been approved by Companies House to carry out identity checks on its behalf.

Why use a notary for Companies House verification?

Notaries are uniquely well-placed to handle this process. They are regulated legal professionals with experience in identity authentication, document certification, and cross-border transactions. For international directors — those based abroad or with non-UK identity documents — a notary can conduct the identity check with the rigour that Companies House requires, issue the necessary certification, and manage the submission to Companies House as an ACSP.

For UK-based directors with straightforward documentation, the process is typically quick. For those with more complex circumstances — overseas addresses, foreign passports, or multiple directorships — working with a professional from the outset avoids costly errors.

London-based directors and company officers can access Companies House director identity verification through Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers, a regulated notarial practice that acts as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.

What happens if you do not comply?

Companies House has indicated it will use its new powers to flag non-verified directors on the public register. Beyond reputational risk, failure to verify is a criminal offence under ECCTA, carrying fines and, in serious cases, prosecution. There are also practical consequences: companies with unverified officers may encounter difficulties making filings, and lenders or counterparties conducting due diligence may take a dim view of incomplete compliance.

The bottom line

The ECCTA identity verification regime is not a minor administrative update — it is a structural change to how companies are run and registered in the UK. Directors who treat it as a priority now will find the process straightforward. Those who leave it too late may find themselves dealing with registrar flags, filing delays, or worse.

If you are unsure whether you are affected, the safest approach is to assume you are and act accordingly.