Companies House ID Verification: What Directors and PSCs Need to Know
Companies House ID Verification: What Directors and PSCs Need to Know (Without the Headache)
If you run a limited company, you’ve probably noticed that Companies House has been flexing its muscles a bit lately. New rules, new checks, and yes… more admin.
One of the biggest changes you need to be aware of is mandatory ID verification for directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs). It sounds scary but it’s manageable once you know what’s involved.
What Is Companies House ID Verification?
In short, Companies House now wants proof that the people behind UK companies are real humans and not made-up characters with suspiciously perfect names.
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, certain individuals must verify their identity before they can:
- Act as a company director
- Be listed as a PSC
- Submit filings to Companies House
The goal is to reduce fraud and improve trust in the UK company register (and make life harder for dodgy operators).
Who Needs to Verify Their Identity?
You’ll need to complete ID verification if you are:
- A company director (new or existing)
- A PSC (anyone with more than 25% ownership or control)
- Someone who files information on behalf of a company (including agents and company secretaries)
Yes — even long-standing directors will need to do this. Nobody gets a free pass.
How Does ID Verification Work?
Thankfully, this part is fairly straightforward. There are two routes:
- Verify directly with Companies House
This is done online using approved ID (such as a passport or driving licence). - Verify via an authorised agent
Accountants and company service providers can verify identities for you, saving you time and effort.
Once verified, you’ll receive a unique ID that will be used for future Companies House filings — think of it as your Companies House passport.
When Do You Need to Act?
- New directors and PSCs must verify before they’re officially appointed.
- Existing directors and PSCs will need to verify within a transition period
If you ignore it, Companies House won’t ignore you. Late or missing verification can lead to rejected filings, fines, and in serious cases, criminal penalties.
How FileTaxGo Can Help
Between Companies House changes, HMRC deadlines, and actually running your business, it’s easy for things to slip.
At FileTaxGo, we help you:
- Work out who needs verifying
- Stay ahead of Companies House rule changes
- Avoid rejected filings and unnecessary stress
A quick check now is far easier than a panic later.
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