UK company directors: Mandatory identity verification starts November 2025 – What you need to know
Written by Andrew Martin from Enoch Evans Solicitors
In a significant move towards enhancing corporate transparency and combating economic crime, the UK government has introduced new measures under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA).
As part of this initiative, starting from November 18, 2025, company directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) over a company will be required to verify their identity through Companies House.
Understanding the new requirements
The new requirement mandates that all company directors and company PSCs, must verify their identity.
This verification process will be mandatory for all new directors and PSCs from 18 November 2025.
Existing directors and PSCs will have a 12-month window to complete their verification, ensuring compliance with the new regulations.
The identity verification process can be completed in two ways:
- Government portal: Directors and PSCs can verify their identity directly through the government portal. You can access the portal by clicking here.
- Authorised corporate service provider: Alternatively, verification can be conducted through an authorised corporate service provider such as an accountant or solicitor. This option provides a layer of professional oversight, ensuring that the verification process is conducted correctly and efficiently.
Changes to company registers
In addition to the new identity verification requirements, from the 18 November 2025 there will also be changes to the registers or company books that companies are required to maintain.
Companies will no longer need to hold registers of: directors, directors’ residential addresses, secretaries, and PSCs. However, companies must continue to register this information with Companies House and keep it up to date.
While maintaining these registers will no longer be compulsory, some companies may choose to continue doing so, particularly during the transition period for director and PSC verification.
The importance of timely compliance
For many companies, addressing this new requirement will coincide with their next annual confirmation statement and may be something to discuss with your accountants.
However, it is crucial not to delay the verification process.
Failure to verify identities within the designated time frame could result in fines or other enforcement actions against both the individual and the company.
Therefore, ensuring timely compliance is essential to avoid these potential penalties.
Seeking professional guidance
Navigating regulatory changes can be complex, and companies and individuals may have questions or require guidance on compliance.
Our team is here to assist you with any inquiries or provide advice on how to best navigate these changes. Please do not hesitate to contact us for support.
Further information
For those interested in delving deeper into the upcoming changes, the following resources provide valuable information:
Changes to company registers - Changes to UK company law
Identity verification - Changes to UK company law
Changes at a glance - Changes to UK company law Companies House changes
Changes to UK company law - Changes to UK company law
Please note, this is not legal advice. This publication aims to provide general guidance only and reflects our understanding of the laws and practices as of November 2025. You should seek legal advice, as required, for specific cases.
To speak to expert Andrew Martin and learn more about his area of expertise please visit https://enochevans.co.uk/team/andrew-martin/.