Hi

Please read this carefully if you are a PSC of your company - or you have clients who are - you have a 14-day period during which you must submit a statement confirming you have verified your identity

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), Companies House is in increasing its regulatory and enforcement powers as part of a process to dramatically improve the quality of information on the register. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of compulsory identity verification for company directors, People with Significant Control (PSCs), and anyone filing on their behalf. 

Here’s where things stand at the moment:

• Mandatory ID verification began 18 November 2025.
• Agents must register as ACSPs from spring 2026.
• Only a small percentage of people who need to verify have started.
• From April 2027, filing moves entirely to commercial software and abridged and filleted accounts are removed. Even micro-entities will need to file full financial statements.
• Director awareness and readiness remain low.

What’s Changing with ID verification? 

There are some key changes to ID verification: 

• Voluntary identity verification became available from 8 April 2025, allowing individuals to verify via GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)  
• Compulsory verification from 18 November 2025 for new incorporations and appointments, and confirmation statements filed after this date, triggering a 12month transition window for existing directors to comply by Autumn 2026 
• By Spring 2026, only verified individuals—or registered ACSPs—will be permitted to file documents at Companies House 
• Every PSC has a 14-day period during which they must submit a statement confirming they have verified their identity, along with their Companies House personal code.  
• If they are registered as a PSC after 18 November 2025, their 14-day period starts from the date they register with Companies House. 
• If they are already a PSC on 18 November 2025, their 14-day period starts from the company’s confirmation statement date – if they are also a director of the company. 
• If they are not a director of the company, their 14-day period starts from the first day of their month of birth, as it is shown on the Companies House register. For example, if the date of birth is shown on the register as December 1990, the 14-day period will start on 1 December 2025.   

Directors / PSCs can ID themselves directly on the gov website (or use the website to book an appointment to do it in person at a Post office). We recommend that you determine when your 14-day period starts immediately and make a note of this date .

Failing to comply isn’t just inconvenient, it can be costly. Directors cannot be legally appointed or submit filings if unverified.

For clients of Guilford Accounting if you are unsure when your 14-day period starts please contact me and we'll help you work it out.

Noel Guilford

PS Please do not ignore this email; it is extremely unlikely that you are even aware of the necessity to confirm that you have verified your identity. Most people think that having done so and received their Companies House personal code that is all they need to do.