Mandatory identity verification for UK company directors, LLP members and PSCs begins in November 2025 under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. Learn who must verify, how the process works and how NotaryPublic24 supports international compliance with notarisation and Apostille services.
Why the UK is introducing identity verification
For many years, Companies House accepted filings without confirming who was behind a company. This created opportunities for criminals to misuse the UK corporate system for fraud, money laundering, tax evasion and other illicit activities. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act gives Companies House the power to challenge suspicious information, remove false filings, share intelligence with enforcement agencies, and insist on proof that every director and PSC is a real, identifiable person. These reforms aim to create a cleaner, more reliable corporate register.
When mandatory checks begin
A voluntary identity verification window opens in spring 2025, allowing individuals to verify ahead of the legal deadline. The mandatory phase starts on 18 November 2025. From that point, new companies will not be able to appoint directors or PSCs unless they have completed identity verification. Existing directors, LLP members and PSCs will need to verify their identity before filing their next confirmation statement, which falls within a 12-month transition period.
Who must complete identity verification
The requirements apply to all individual company directors, individuals with significant control, and members of LLPs. Anyone who files information on behalf of a company may also need to verify their identity unless they work for an authorised firm. Corporate directors and corporate PSCs are subject to separate rules and must ensure that their “responsible individuals” are also verified.
How identity verification works
The main method is through the GOV.UK One Login system, where individuals provide a passport or other national ID, complete a liveness check such as a selfie or short video, and answer security questions. Companies House also plans an in-person identity service at selected Post Office locations. Individuals may choose instead to verify through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as a regulated accountant or solicitor, who must follow strict anti-money-laundering procedures and confirm the individual’s identity to Companies House.
Consequences of not verifying
Failing to complete identity verification is a criminal offence. Companies House will be able to reject filings, mark a director or PSC as non-compliant on the public register, issue civil penalties, and in serious or repeated cases initiate disqualification procedures or move toward company dissolution. A company may also face practical problems, such as bank delays, inability to complete key transactions, or rejection by compliance departments in the UK and abroad.
What overseas directors and PSCs need to know
The rules apply to all directors and PSCs no matter where they live. Individuals based outside the UK can still verify their identity using GOV.UK One Login if they hold acceptable identification. If they cannot complete the online process, they may verify through a UK-registered ACSP. Many overseas banks and regulators may request notarised or apostilled documents in addition to Companies House verification, especially where cross-border compliance rules apply.
Do you need a notary for Companies House identity verification?
Companies House does not require notarisation as part of the identity verification process. The official routes are the direct online method and verification through an ACSP. However, many international transactions, banking procedures, regulatory filings and share transfers require notarised or Apostilled documentation. For that reason, many businesses use a Notary Public to support the wider compliance process, even though notarisation is separate from Companies House’s requirements.
How a Notary Public such as NotaryPublic24 can help
NotaryPublic24 can provide certified and notarised copies of passports, identity documents and proof of address, which are often required for cross-border banking or regulatory processes. We can also notarise company documents such as shareholder resolutions, director appointment letters, powers of attorney and LLP agreements. Where these documents will be used abroad, we also arrange Apostille certification under the Hague Convention. These services do not replace Companies House verification but complement it by providing trusted documentation for international use.
Checklist for companies preparing for autumn 2025
- Review all directors, LLP members and PSCs to ensure records are up to date.
- Correct any inaccurate or outdated information on the Companies House register.
- Decide whether individuals will verify using GOV.UK One Login or through an ACSP.
- Inform overseas individuals about their obligations and the relevant deadlines.
- Plan identity verification well before your next confirmation statement deadline.
- Identify any situations where notarised or Apostilled documents may be required and schedule these early.
Common questions
Do I need to verify more than once?
No. Once your identity is verified, Companies House assigns you a unique identifier that can be reused across companies.
Do overseas directors need to comply?
Yes. All directors and PSCs of UK companies must verify, regardless of nationality or location.
What happens if verification is not completed?
There may be criminal penalties, restrictions on filings, reputational issues and possible disqualification.
Can a notary act as an ACSP?
Only if the notary’s business is separately registered and regulated as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. Many notaries instead support clients with notarisation, certification and Apostille services rather than providing ACSP verification.
Conclusion
The introduction of mandatory identity verification represents one of the biggest changes to UK company law in decades. All companies will need to ensure that their directors, LLP members and PSCs understand the process, complete verification on time, and take steps to maintain accurate, transparent records. While notarisation is not required by Companies House, it plays an important supporting role for organisations operating internationally, and services like those offered by NotaryPublic24 can help create securely authenticated documentation for global compliance needs.
