From 18 November 2025, all UK company directors will be required to verify their identity with Companies House. Learn how to stay compliant and understand the risks associated with government regulations.UK One Login, and why using a solicitor or accountant (ACSP) may be the safer option.
Urgent: New Companies House Rules Coming into Force – 18 November 2025. From 18 November 2025, all UK company directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) will be required to complete identity verification under new rules introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
The purpose is to make UK business records more reliable and reduce company fraud — but there are important details and risks to understand before you act.
What Company Directors Need to Know
- Every company director and PSC will have a personal verification due date.
- You cannot file your company’s confirmation statement unless all directors have verified their identity.
- Companies that fail to comply risk criminal offences, fines, or even prosecution.
The verification process aims to confirm that individuals listed at Companies House are genuine — protecting businesses from impersonation and fraud. But how you verify matters.
How to Verify Your Identity
There are two official options:
Option 1: GOV.UK One Login
You can verify your identity online using the GOV.UK One Login system. It asks a few questions and typically uses a passport or driver’s license to confirm your identity.
However, the One Login system has serious data security concerns:
- It stores sensitive identification data in centralised databases — a prime target for hackers.
- Technical flaws and data leaks have plagued earlier versions of government digital ID systems.
- There’s little transparency about how and where your data is stored.
For business owners handling sensitive financial and legal data, this lack of clarity is worrying. I’m dubious about any centralised store of information as it is a honeypot for hackers.
Option 2: Verify Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
The safer alternative is to verify your identity through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider — such as a solicitor, accountant, or company agent. This process involves providing your ID documents to the ACSP, who will then verify your identity on your behalf.
When you verify through an ACSP:
- Your data is handled securely by a professional who is regulated.
- You avoid uploading ID documents into the untested One Login system.
- You receive the same verified status required by Companies House.
Why This Matters for Your Business
Failure to verify your identity has serious consequences:
- You cannot file your company’s confirmation statement after 18 November.
- You may be personally committing an offence if you continue to act as a director without verification.
- The company itself could face financial penalties or legal enforcement.
Verification is quick and straightforward — but only if handled correctly.
Our Professional View on GOV.UK One Login
While the government markets One Login as “simple and secure”, the system’s centralised nature makes it inherently risky:
- Cyberattacks frequently target central databases.
- There’s limited control over who can access or share your personal information.
- The platform is still relatively new, with no long-term security record.
We advise company directors to use a trusted ACSP (such as your solicitor or accountant) for identity verification. It’s safer, more controlled, and avoids unnecessary exposure of your data.
What to Do Now
- Check your Companies House account after 18 November 2025 for your verification due dates.
- Choose how you’ll verify — One Login or an ACSP.
- Prepare your ID documents (passport, driving licence, etc.) in advance.
- Ensure that all directors and PSCs are verified before submitting your next confirmation statement.
- Keep your Companies House personal code secure — you’ll need it for all future filings.