Identity Verification Requirements for UK Company Directors, PSCs and LLP Members

ComplianceCompany DirectorsCompany LawCompanies House
Written By Emma Rosenblatt

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) 2023 received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023. It is being implemented in phases to help transition significant changes for UK companies, overseas companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, unregistered companies and companies authorised to register (Relevant Entities).  

ECCTA seeks to prevent criminals from abusing bodies corporate, strengthen the UK's response to economic crime and make the information contained on the UK companies registry (maintained by Companies House) more transparent and reliable. 

A key change coming in Autumn 2025 is the mandatory identity verification (IDV) of all directors, PSCs, LLP members and those delivering documents either on their behalf or on behalf of another officer with Companies House (e.g., a company secretary) (each a Relevant Individual).

What is changing?

  • All new Relevant Individuals will need to verify their identity on incorporation of a Relevant Entity from Autumn 2025.

  • Existing Relevant Individuals will have 12 months to complete their ID verification.

  • Relevant Entities will have an obligation to ensure that unverified individuals do not act as a Relevant Individual.

  • Non-compliance could mean:

    • Criminal or civil penalties, with non-compliance being made public on Companies House.

    • Inability to register a company or file essential documents (e.g., Confirmation Statements, Annual Accounts).

    • Directors being unable to act without IDV status.

    • Risk of a company being struck off.

    • Being barred from acting as a director or forming a new company.

How will verification work?

Verification can be done providing personal details and documents directly with Companies House or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), who will carry out the verification directly with the Relevant Individuals and deliver a verification statement to Companies House.

Once verified, a Relevant Individual will receive a Unique Identifier (UI) from Companies House.

We can help you

As an ACSP, Rosenblatt is ready to help directors, PSCs, and companies navigate these requirements. Contact any member of our corporate team or our Company Secretary at CompanySecretary@rosenblatt.law to prepare your business for compliance.

Rosenblatt Law

July 2025

Emma Rosenblatt
Next

Provenance just got a whole lot tighter - Incoming EU Regulation on Import of Cultural Goods – key issues and market impact