What UK Businesses Need to Know
Big and new reforms are being introduced for people who run businesses in the UK. Starting on November 18, 2025, company directors, people with significant control (PSCs), and other key personnels are required to prove their identity under new rules from companies house. This change which is one of the biggest changes Companies House has ever made is brought by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
The main objective of the rule is to make the business world safer. For years, fake businesses and fraud have made people less likely to trust the register. This issue will be resolved by Identity verification which will make sure that the people who run businesses in the UK are who they say they are. This is good news for real businesses because it means more openness, less risk, and more trustworthiness. But it also means more work, and every director or PSC needs to be ready.
Taxaccolega has already been helping people in London, Croydon, and the rest of the UK get ready for the change. Here’s a list of what’s going on, who it affects, and how to make sure everyone follows the rules.
Up until now, it was easy for someone to start a business without having to show much proof of who they were. That gap made it possible for companies to be used for money laundering, hiding assets, or running illegal businesses. The new UK identity verification system will help fill in those gaps. The register will become more reliable as it requires directors, PSCs, and even corporate service providers to show who they are.
The threefold aim is to:
● Check that people are who they say they are to lower the risk of fraud.
● Improve transparency for the businesses, investors, and regulators to trust the Companies House register.
● Increase compliance with global best practices and rules against money laundering.
To put it simply, the law is about making the business world safer while keeping the UK a good place for real trade and investment.
Not everyone who works for a business will need to verify, but a lot of them will have to. You will need to verify if you are a director, a PSC, a managing officer, or a company secretary who files for a company. Accountants and lawyers who are Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) must also check if they are going to work for clients. Accountants and lawyers must register as Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) with Companies House and an AML supervisor before verifying others on behalf of clients.
These are the people who need to use ID verification services:
● Directors of the company, both new and old.
● People with significant control (PSCs) are those who own at least 25% of the shares, have voting rights, or have an impact.
● Managing officers, LLP members, and general partners all have the same job.
● People who file for the company, like company secretaries.
● Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) are accountants, lawyers, and other professionals who work for businesses.
It depends on what job you have.
● Starting on November 18, 2025, new directors will be: You must check before you hire someone or start a business. From November 18, 2025, new directors must verify their identity before their appointment is submitted to Companies House.
● Directors who are already in place: You must check by the date of your next confirmation statement, which is 12 months after November 18, 2025.
● New PSCs: You have 14 days to confirm after you get the notice. New PSCs who are individuals must verify within 14 days of being added to the register. Corporate PSCs (Relevant Legal Entities) must do so within 28 days and appoint a verified relevant officer.
● Existing PSCs: They have the same 12-month transition period, which is usually tied to the deadline for the confirmation statement.
● ACSPs: Before registering as an authorised agent, they must prove who they are.
This means that businesses should plan ahead and not wait until the last minute, especially if you run more than one business.
There are two ways to check.
Log in with GOV.UK One Login. This service is free and gives you a few options based on your situation: you can scan your ID with a mobile app, answer security questions, or finish the process at a Post Office that is taking part. You can scan your ID with a mobile app or finish the process at a participating Post Office. Security questions may not be available for all users.
Get in touch with a licensed corporate service provider. This will be the easier way for a lot of businesses. Taxaccolega is an ACSP that is allowed and regulated to verify your identity for you using approved documents. This is especially helpful for directors or PSCs who live outside the UK and may have trouble using the GOV.UK system.
You will get a Companies House personal code once your information has been checked. This is a one-of-a-kind code that connects your verified identity to your job at the company. This is a personal code that connects your verified identity to all roles you may hold across different companies. When you file confirmation statements, get appointed as a director, or are listed as a PSC, you will need this code. You should keep the code safe and only give it to people you trust to file for you, just like you would your HMRC UTR.
Not verifying on time isn’t just a hassle; it could mean your business can’t run. You won’t be able to file important papers or add new entities without verification. Directors who keep acting without checking could be breaking the law and even getting kicked out of their jobs. If PSCs don’t meet their deadlines, they could also be breaking the law.
Companies House now has new powers to enforce the law. For example, they can impose fines, reject filings, and add warnings directly to the register. No business can afford to be in this situation.
November 2025 may seem far away, but because of the size of the change, millions of people will need to check in the first year. That amount alone could cause delays. If you plan ahead, you won’t have to wait, and your filings won’t be blocked at the last minute.
It also makes sense to include verification in your larger compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) efforts. You can keep your records in order, reassure investors and banks, and avoid the stress of rushing to meet deadlines by taking care of it ahead of time.
As a leading accountancy and taxation firm in Croydon and London, Taxaccolega is top-rated and ideally placed to guide you. Our service includes:
● Identifying everyone in your company who must verify.
● Advising on the best route, GOV.UK One Login or ACSP verification.
● Handling document collection and checks.
● Linking verification with your corporate records and compliance policies.
● Making sure your confirmation statements and filings aren’t blocked.
We don’t just process documents, we bring context, compliance insight, and peace of mind.
The new identity verification UK rules mark a big shift in company law. For directors, PSCs, and corporate service providers, it’s not just about ticking a box—it’s about protecting your business reputation and staying compliant in a stricter regulatory environment.
At Taxaccolega, we’re ready to help businesses and individuals adapt quickly and confidently.
Get in touch today to discuss your company’s verification plan and stay ahead of the 18 November 2025 deadline.
