The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) makes significant changes to UK law. It is aimed at tackling economic crime and making UK-registered entities more transparent.
One big change which will come into force on 18 November 2025 is that certain individuals will need to formally verify their identity with Companies House.
There are three ways to verify your identity:
- Online via GOV.UK One Login
You can verify your identity using the GOV.UK One Login app or website. To do this, you will need a specific form of photographic ID, such as a biometric passport (from any country) or a UK photo driving licence. This is a free and user-friendly service. Most individuals required to verify their identity are expected to use this method. - At a UK Post Office
If you are unable to use the online service and live in the UK, you may be able to verify your identity at a participating UK Post Office. - Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
You can also choose to have your identity verified by a UK-registered ACSP. You will need to provide specific documents for verification, and the provider may charge a fee for this service.
This is a brief guide on how to verify your identity using option 1 above. If you would like more information on ID Verification, including who it applies to and when the changes take effect, please see our update here.
Who needs to verify
You’ll need to complete the identity verification process if you’re an individual and fall into one of these categories:
- a director of a company registered in the UK (England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland);
- a member of a UK limited liability partnership (LLP);
- a Person with Significant Control (PSC) of a UK company or LLP; or
- a director of an overseas company with a UK establishment.
Identity verification is a one-time process. Once verified, you do not need to re-verify for each role you hold or otherwise re-verify on a periodic basis.
Before you start
YOU WILL NEED:
- access to the internet;
- an email address;
- a smart phone (if using Apple, iPhone 7 or newer, if using an android smartphone, Android 10 or higher);
- the year in which you moved into your current address - if this is less than five years ago, you may also need previous address details; and
- one of the following types of photo ID:
- Biometric passport from any country
- UK photo driving licence (full or provisional)
- UK biometric residence permit (BRP)
- UK biometric residence card (BRC)
The steps below follow the verification process using a biometric passport. The steps are very similar when using the other forms of ID listed here.
PLEASE NOTE
At the end of the identity verification process described below, you will be issued with a personal verification code. This code will need to be provided to Companies House in connection with each entity for which you are a director, member or PSC. The code will not be emailed to you as part of the process. Please make a note of the code when it appears on screen at the end of the identity verification process described below. In the event you do not take a note of it, it will be possible to view your verification code at any time by logging in to Companies House using your GOV.UK One Login account (created as part of the process below).
For more information and step by step guidance please access Burness Paull ECCTA hub here
