ECCTA: mandatory ID verification for all companies from 18th November 2025

The identity verification requirement, which has been voluntary since April 2025, is set to become mandatory from this Autumn for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs).

It is important to note that failing to comply with these requirements will be a criminal offence both for relevant companies and individuals.

Who needs to verify their identity 

From 18 November 2025:

• New directors/PSCs
   
  • New directors must verify their identity when first appointed as a director to a new or existing company
  • New PSCs must verify their ID within 14 days of being added to the Companies House Register
     
• Existing directors/PSCs
   
  • Existing directors must verify their ID when filing the company’s next annual Confirmation Statement after 18 November 2025
  • Existing PSCs who are not directors of that company must verify their ID in the month of their birth from November 2025

How to verify your identity

Relevant individuals can verify their identity:

1. for free and online with Companies House directly using their Gov.uk One Login (Verify your identity for Companies House);
2. in person at a post office; or
3. by paying an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify their identity.

Next steps

• Identify the individuals in your company who need to verify their identification
• Pinpoint the relevant deadline for each individual
• Start verifying identities as soon as possible to ensure deadlines are not missed