Director ID Verification: What UK Company Directors Need to Know for November 2025
If you’re a limited company director, this is your official heads-up. Big changes are coming to Companies House, and this time, it’s personal.
Starting 18 November 2025, all company directors, people with significant control (PSCs), and authorised agents will need to verify their identity with Companies House.
This new requirement comes as part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, a major update to UK company law designed to fight fraud and improve business transparency.
And here’s the crucial bit: if you don’t verify your identity in time, you could face fines, criminal penalties, or even disqualification from acting as a director.
Why Is This Change Happening?
The government’s aim is simple: to stop criminals from using fake or stolen identities to register companies in the UK.
For years, Companies House has allowed directors to be registered without proving who they actually are. While most business owners act honestly, this loophole has allowed some to set up fake companies or hide behind false names.
The new ID verification system will close that gap and make UK company records more trustworthy.
In short, this change is about protecting legitimate businesses like yours and strengthening the integrity of the UK’s company register.
Who Needs to Verify Their Identity?
The new rules apply to:
✅ All company directors for limited companies and LLPs (Limited Liability Partnerships).
✅ People with significant control (PSCs) anyone who owns or controls more than 25% of a company’s shares or voting rights.
✅ Authorised agents accountants or company formation agents who file on behalf of clients.
Both existing and new companies are included. That means even if your business has been running smoothly for years, you’ll still need to complete the verification process.
How Will ID Verification Work?
The exact process hasn’t launched yet, but Companies House has outlined two main options:
1. Verify Directly with Companies House
You’ll upload proof of ID (such as your passport or driver’s licence) and possibly take a live photo or short video to confirm your identity.
2. Verify Through an Authorised Agent
Your accountant or company formation agent (like Rhombus Accounting) can verify your identity for you, using approved software and secure processes.
Either way, you’ll need to make sure your information matches what’s held on official records because inconsistencies could delay your verification.
What Happens If You Don’t Verify in Time?
The consequences are serious.
If you fail to verify your identity by the 18 November 2025 deadline, Companies House can:
❌ Refuse to accept filings from you
❌ Issue financial penalties
❌ Remove your company from the register
❌ Disqualify you from acting as a director in the future
In other words, it’s not something to ignore or put off until later.
What You Can Do Now
It might feel like November 2025 is a long way off, but getting ready early will save stress later.
Here’s what we recommend doing now:
Check your company details on Companies House and make sure they’re up to date.
Confirm who your PSCs and directors are to make ID verification smoother.
Speak to your accountant or company agent to see how they’ll handle the verification process on your behalf.
Follow updates from Companies House they’ll release detailed instructions on how to verify later in 2025.
At Rhombus Accounting, we’ll be helping all our limited company clients through the new ID verification process to make sure everything is done correctly and on time.
The Bottom Line
The new identity verification rules are one of the biggest changes to UK company law in years. While it may sound like extra admin, it’s actually designed to make business ownership safer and more transparent, and to protect honest business owners like you from fraud.
If you’re a company director, don’t wait until the deadline. Start preparing now so that by 18 November 2025, your company is fully compliant and ready to carry on business as usual.
Meet Lewis
Lewis is a professional accountant and founder of Rhombus Accounting. He regularly shares his knowledge and best advice here on his blog and on other channels such as LinkedIn.
Book a call today to learn more about what Lewis and Rhombus Accounting can do for you.
