Impact on Directors and PSC’s
What is the change?
New identity verification requirements are coming into force for company directors and individuals with significant control (PSCs). Clients may have received correspondence from Companies House on these changes.
Why?
The enhanced powers which have been granted to Companies House are intended to improve the accuracy and transparency of the information that it holds.
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), Companies House must verify the identity of anyone submitting information to the public register, including those acting on behalf of a company.
Timeline of events
April 2025 – Changes to identity verification requirements for company directors, and individuals with significant control, on a voluntary basis.
Autumn 2025 – Mandatory ID verification comes in for new appointments and incorporations from Autumn 2025, which also marks the start of a 12-month transition period for existing directors to complete ID verification.
12-month transition period – Existing directors and PSCs will have a year to comply with the new requirements, and so will be required to have completed identity verification by Autumn 2026.
What do I do now?
CRM will be in touch with clients about their options. Essentially these are as follows: –
Option 1: Clients can login directly with Companies House to verify their identity.
Option 2: As an ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider), CRM can complete the relevant identity checks for our clients. There will be an additional charge for this service.
