Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, different company activities now trigger the legal requirement to verify your identity.
You cannot act, file, or be appointed until verification is complete.
Your verification must be done before or at the same time as your company activity — not after.
Anyone forming a company must verify before Companies House approves the incorporation.
You must verify before your appointment becomes legally valid.
You must verify as soon as you acquire control or ownership above the threshold.
Any filing submitted by or about an unverified individual may be rejected.
All agents who file on behalf of clients must verify before providing services.
During the registration of a new company, you must verify your identity before your application is processed.
Companies House will not add you as a director or PSC until your verification is confirmed.
If your company is already on the register, Companies House will contact each relevant individual with a mandatory verification deadline.
This applies to:
If you miss the deadline, your company may be restricted from filing or risk penalties.
If you fail to verify by the required date:
Passport, driving licence, or national ID.
Smartphone or webcam-enabled laptop.
Received after initial verification.
For confirmation notices and deadlines.
Whether you’re forming a new company or managing an existing one, verification is essential.
Complete it early to avoid delays, rejected filings, or compliance risks.
