Companies House New Identity Verification Requirement Rescheduled

Voluntary ID verification pushed back

As part of the phased rollout of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 The voluntary identity verification process for company directors, PSCs (Persons with Significant Control), and shareholders has been pushed back.

Since our last post about the Voluntary ID Verification requirement there’s been some adjustments to the timeline for the introduction of identity verification at Companies House.

Specifically, there have been some delays regarding the voluntary aspect of the ID verification, and the registration of Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs).

ACSP Registration Delay:

The initial plan for businesses to register as ACSPs was moved. This has had a knock on effect on the start of the voluntary ID verification.

Voluntary ID Verification:

The start of voluntary ID verification was pushed back to April 8th, 2025.

Why the Changes?

These changes are due to some technical issues with the Companies House systems, which as the result has caused a delay in the ACSP registration process, which in turn caused a delay to the voluntary ID verification start date.

Overall Timeline:

It's important to remember that these delays do not alter the overall plan for the introduction of mandatory ID verification. Mandatory ID verification for new directors and PSCs is still set to be introduced in Autumn 2025 and the 12-month transition period for existing directors and PSCs to verify their identities will still follow.

In essence, while there have been some minor delays, the overall direction of Companies House reforms, and the introduction of mandatory ID verification, remains unchanged.

Coddan: Keeping You Informed on Legislative Changes

At Coddan, we are committed to ensuring our clients stay up to date with the latest legislation and regulatory changes affecting UK businesses. As new laws, such as the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, are introduced, we provide clear guidance to help businesses remain compliant and informed.

If you have any questions how the current changes to the legislation may affect you and your Limited Company or your Limited Liability Partnership, and require more information or guidance, why not call us on +44 (0) 207 935 5171 to discuss your questions or to Apply for a Consultation. Our experienced and highly professional business support team is here to help!