Companies House ID Verification - What are the options?

From 2025, Companies House has introduced new identity verification checks for company directors and for anyone who owns or controls more than 25% of the shares or voting rights in a company.

This change is part of the government’s Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, which aims to improve corporate transparency and prevent fraud.

Who Needs to Verify?

• All company directors

• Persons of Significant Control (PSCs) – usually shareholders holding over 25% of the shares or voting rights

Key Deadline – 18th November 2025 - Every new director and qualifying shareholder. 18th November 2026 - Every existing director and qualifying shareholder.

• Without verification, we will not be able to file essential company documents, including confirmation statements.

• Failure to comply could lead to penalties or even your company being struck off the register.

How to Verify

You have two options:

1. Verify Yourself

You can complete the process directly with Companies House using a GOV.UK One Login account. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house

• This requires downloading the relevant verification apps, having your physical ID (such as a passport or driving licence) ready, and following the step-by-step checks.

• Once verified, you’ll be issued a personal verification code.

• Please provide us with this code so we can update your company records.

2. Let Us Handle It for You - If you are our client.

We are trained and approved (following training by Essex Police) to carry out these checks on your behalf.

• We can perform the verification for you and save you time and confusion.

• Our fee for this service is £30 + VAT per person and is payable in advance.

Next Steps

We recommend all directors and PSCs complete their verification well before the deadline to avoid any disruption. In fact we would like to get everyone on our database verified in the next 6 months as a concentrated project.

If you’d like us to carry out your verification, please contact us today by telephoning Katie Parker on 01268 773108 or emailing her on KP@butlersfinancial.co.uk

If you’d prefer to complete it yourself, remember to send Katie your personal verification code once received so it can be logged into our system in good time.

We are here to help make this process simple, secure, and stress-free.

If you need to speak to us you can always book an appointment online.

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