Who does this capture?

Under the ECCTA, all incoming and existing directors, members, general partners, managing officers, persons with significant control, and individuals filing documents on behalf of a company must verify their identity.

What are the timelines?

• From 8 April 2025: Individuals can begin verifying their identities directly with Companies House.
• From Autumn 2025: Identify verification will start to be compulsory as part of any incorporation process.
• From Autumn 2025: Existing organisations registered at Companies House will be required to very a party’s identity as part of the annual confirmation statement filing (if they haven’t already done so voluntarily). This transition period lasts for 12 months which will allow for a full cycle of confirmation statement filings.
• From Spring 2026: Anyone making filings at Companies House (e.g. company secretaries) will be required to have their ID verified.

As you will be able to see from the timeline set out above, ID verification is not yet compulsory. Despite this, we would recommend getting ahead of the game and starting the identification process as soon as possible – this is especially the case where there is an individual who is regularly appointed to boards as part of a transaction process.

How?

The easiest way for an individual to verify their identity with Companies House is to go to the GOV.UK website. This service is free of charge.

In order for them to verify their ID, they will need one of the following types of photo ID:

• biometric passport from any country
• UK photo driving licence (full or provisional)
• UK biometric residence permit (BRP)
• UK biometric residence card (BRC)
• UK Frontier Worker permit (FWP)

Alternatively, an individual can very their identity via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), this is an entity which has been specifically authorised by Companies House to provide corporate services. The ACSP will need to review a prescribed set of documents in order to verify an individuals identity and may charge a fee for the service.

Once an individual has verified their identity, they will be provided with a Companies House personal code which is unique to them. This code should be kept safe as from Autumn 2025, individuals will need the code to file documents at Companies House, to be appointed as a director (or other similar position) or if they become a person with significant control.

What if an individual fails to verify their identity?

The consequences for failure to verify your identity with Companies House are potentially very serious and include:

• a restriction on making any filings at Companies House;
• inability to start a new company or entity registered with Companies House;
• criminal proceeding potentially leading to a level 5 (unlimited) fine; and
• potential prohibition from acting as a director.

How we can help you to understand the New ID Verification Regime

To find our more information about the new ID verification process or to understand more about how Walker Morris can help you, please do not hesitate to contact Debbie Jackson, Benjamin Challenger or any member of our Corporate Team.