June 19, 2025
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What are the changes under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA)?
Companies House has introduced a number of important changes under the Act Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). We would like to inform you about this news Companies House reforms means to you whether you are a director, LLP member or Person of Significant Control (PSC) — defined as someone who owns more than 25% of the share capital or has significant influence or control over a company.
To improve corporate transparency and ensure more accurate and trustworthy information in the register, there will now be one Identity verification requirement from company directors, LLP members and PSCs with Companies House.
All companies must have verified the identity of all directors, members and PSCs before the next registration requirement at Companies House (see below), from autumn 2025 (there is no set date yet).
Business Identity Verification Requirements
Companies House already sends emails to companies (example below). upcoming mandatory identity verification requirements. The ID verification process was officially launched on April 8, 2025but it will mandatory from autumn 2025.
Unless the identity of the person concerned has been verified, entries will no longer be able to be made to Companies House from autumn 2025. For example, invoices and confirmations cannot be submitted without first completing identity verification. This also includes the establishment of new companies.
As confirmation statements cannot be submitted without identity verification being completed, Companies House’s aim is to have identity verification carried out for all companies Fall 2026 (Every company/LLP is required to file a confirmation statement annually.)
Failure to comply with identity verification requirements within the prescribed period may constitute a criminal offense and may result in criminal offenses financial penaltiesSanctions, or Disqualification as a director of a company.
Who can carry out Companies House ID verification?
Company directors, LLP members and PSCs can carry out their identity verification through the self Companies House website. Based on our experience – and confirmed by customers – this is a simple and user friendly process with clear step-by-step instructions.
Verify your identity for Companies House – and this can be done now (before the implementation date) if desired.
Alternatively, verification can also be done via a Authorized Business Service Provider (ACSP). This is an agent authorized to submit documents to Companies House on behalf of clients (e.g. accountants or company formation agents). The ACSP carries out its own identity verification and must confirm to Companies House that this has been carried out to the same standard as Companies House.
We recommend that our customers complete Companies House verification themselves as our research shows the process is relatively straightforward. Once finished, please inform your usual RRL contact and provide the details 11-digit personal code (format XXX-XXXX-XXXX) published by Companies House.
As a company, we are a registered ACSP and can support you if necessary. However, as mentioned above, the verification process through Companies House is simple and straightforward.
What documents are required for identity verification?
If you carry out the identity verification yourself via the Companies House online serviceYou need:
- A UK photo driving license or biometric passport
- Your current address and the year you moved in
- A GOV.UK One login (You can log in or create one during the process)
The process takes approx 10 minutes when you have everything at hand.
As a registered ACSP, we use robust identity verification software. This requires access to the original document – Copies cannot be accepted. We are in the process of rolling out a document scanning system that will allow you to perform a secure “selfie check” from your location to verify your ID. Further details will follow shortly.
Once your ID is verified, it will be valid for all companies of which you are a member, director or PSC. You don’t have to do this again.
Submission via ACSPs from 2026
From a future date in 2026 (exact date to be announced), only Authorized business service providers is authorized to submit documents to Companies House on behalf of clients. This includes Accounts, confirmationsAnd Company foundations. We have therefore registered as an ACSP.
Companies House will retain the power to do this Suspend or revoke ACSP status for failure to comply with verification standards, therefore we are committed to fulfilling our responsibilities as an authorized representative.
Next steps: Continue with your verification
Companies House have advised us that it is useful to carry out identity verification as early as possible to avoid technical problems or bottlenecks later in the year. We encourage you to start the process now or contact us in the coming weeks for further advice.
Companies House has the power to suspend or revoke the status of an ACSP if it does not meet verification standards. Therefore, we will take our duties as an authorized representative and our responsibilities very seriously.
We have been advised by Companies House that it is advisable to complete the identity verification process as quickly as possible to avoid any technical bottlenecks in the autumn. We therefore recommend that you view the process yourself or discuss this with us so that we can advise you further in the coming weeks. If you carry out the process yourself, please provide us with the personal code that will be issued after completing the verification process (format XXX-XXXX-XXXX).
We will provide our customers with further guidance in the coming months.
