Page Contents
Key Contacts
Related Services
Who, when and why
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) introduced a series of reforms aimed at countering the misuse of UK corporate structures for criminal purposes.
A key feature of the new legislation is the introduction of mandatory identity verification for central individuals associated with UK companies. This will apply to all Directors, Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) and members of Liability Partnerships (LLPs).
From 18 November 2025, identity verification becomes a legal requirement. This date is not a deadline, it marks the start of a 12-month transition period, giving your company time to make sure all directors, members and people with significant control (PSCs) have verified their identity by the date of your next confirmation statement.
If the deadline for filing the next confirmation statement of a pre-existing company falls soon after 18 November 2025, you may wish to consider filing a confirmation statement before that date in order to give the directors more time to arrange for the verification of their identity.
It will not be possible to incorporate a company on or after 18 November 2025, or to appoint a director to the board of a pre-existing company, unless the identity of the director(s) has first been verified.
Verify with A&L Goodbody
A&L Goodbody are a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider. This allows us to carry out ID verifications on behalf of Companies House. We then manage the necessary filings with Companies House to confirm that a director’s identity has been verified to ensure a smooth transition to compliance.
In order to verify their identity, individual directors, PSCs or LLP Members should set up an appointment to visit our office and present their ID for inspection.
Please note that this is a one-off requirement for each individual officer, regardless of how many directorships they hold. When you have been successfully verified, you will receive a unique identifier known as a Companies House personal code. This will be required for filing all future confirmation statements and directorship appointments.
Documents required
At the appointment individuals will be expected to provide:
We will then ask you to provide us with hard copy originals of:
| Group A documents | Group B documents |
|---|---|
| Passport or Irish passport card – these can be up to 18 months expired | Birth or adoption certificate |
| Identity card with biometric information from the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein | Marriage or civil partnership certificate |
| UK biometric residence permit (BRP) | Non-photographic immigration document |
| UK biometric residence card | Non-photographic visa |
| UK accredited PASS card | Non-photographic work permit |
| UK or EU driver digital tachograph card | Bank or building society statement |
| UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and EU photocard driving license (full or provisional) | UK local authority or social housing rental agreement |
| UK HM Forces ID Card | Mortgage statement |
| UK HM Armed Forces Veteran Card | UK council tax statement |
| UK Frontier Worker permit | Utility bill |
| Photographic work permit | |
| Photographic immigration document | |
| Photographic visa | |
| UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man firearms license | |
| Another type of photographic ID listed on PRADO |
An ALG solicitor will check that the documents presented are genuine and that they meet the Companies House identity verification standard, take copies of the presented documents for our file and then make the required filing with Companies House.
Online verification
If in-person verification is not an option, individuals can verify their identity independently online using the ‘Verify your Identity for Companies House [gov.uk]’ service.
The independent online process involves filling in personal information (DOB, address, nationality etc), scanning your photographic ID with your phone and taking a selfie so the software can match your face to your ID.
Consequences of non-compliance
Failure to verify your identity as required is a criminal offence, and enforcement will be taken seriously. Potential consequences include personal financial penalties, disqualification and inability to make file leading to your company potentially being struck off the register.
For more information, please contact Mark Stockdale, Partner, Claire McGurk, Associate or your usual ALG Corporate Team contact.
Date published: 6 November 2025
