Company administration – Companies House confirms key start dates for identity verification

Companies House has published an updated implementation plan for the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) which includes key dates for the new identity verification (IDV) requirements being introduced by the ECCTA.

Under the ECCTA, all new and existing company directors (and equivalents for other entities), people with significant control (PSCs) and those filing information with Companies House will need to have their identity verified. UK company formation agents that register with Companies House – ‘authorised corporate service providers’ or ‘ACSPs’– will be able to conduct the identity checks to fulfil these IDV requirements. Alternatively, individuals will be able to verify their identities directly with Companies House. For more information on the IDV requirements, see our snapshot here.

In the updated implementation plan, Companies House has confirmed that, from 25 February 2025, service providers who are registered for Anti Money Laundering with a supervisor in the UK will be able to register to become ACSPs and therefore to carry out IDV services.

Companies House has also confirmed that from 25 March 2025, individuals will be able to voluntarily verify their identity directly with Companies House. This is ahead of IDV becoming mandatory for all directors and PSCs on new incorporations in autumn 2025 and the start of a 12-month transition period from then for directors and PSCs of existing companies to complete the process.