Understanding the New Companies House ID Verification Regime: What Accountants Need to Know in 2025
Big changes are on the horizon for company directors, People with Significant Control (PSCs), and the professionals who act on their behalf.
Companies House is rolling out its new identity verification regime, one of the most significant updates to UK company law in decades, and accountants will be right at the centre of it.
This post explains what’s changing, why it matters for your clients, and how your firm, or JSB Accountants, can help you navigate these changes effectively.
Why This Matters for Accountants
If your practice handles company filings for clients, such as submitting confirmation statements or incorporating new entities, you’ll need to be registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Being an ACSP means your firm can:
File documents on behalf of clients.
Verify the identity of company directors and PSCs.
But with that authority comes responsibility. ACSPs must follow strict record-keeping and procedural rules set by Companies House, maintain AML supervision, and keep detailed verification records for at least seven years.
JSB Accountants can guide your firm through this process, helping you set up ACSP registration, understand the verification methods, and ensure compliance with all procedural requirements.
Key Dates and What’s Changing
Companies House has confirmed the rollout schedule:
18 March 2025: The ACSP registration service officially launched. Accountants, formation agents, and legal advisers can now apply to register.
8 April 2025: Voluntary identity verification opened, allowing directors and PSCs to verify themselves through GOV.UK One Login or via an ACSP.
18 November 2025: Compulsory verification begins for all new incorporations, new appointments, and confirmation statements filed after this date.
Existing directors will have 12 months (until Autumn 2026) to verify their identity.
By Spring 2026, only verified company officers or registered ACSPs will be able to file with Companies House.
In addition, from 31 July 2025, overseas entities will be required to provide more detailed ownership information in their annual filings, part of a wider move to improve transparency and combat economic crime.
JSB Accountants can support clients by ensuring filings are prepared correctly, verification windows are tracked, and deadlines are never missed.
Understanding the 14-Day Verification Window
Once the new rules come into effect in November 2025, PSCs will need to verify their ID within 14 days of certain trigger events:
New PSCs (after 18 November 2025): 14 days from their registration date.
Existing PSCs who are also directors: 14 days from the company’s confirmation statement date.
Existing PSCs who are not directors: 14 days from the first day of their birth month as listed on the register.
Example: If the Companies House register shows “December 1990,” their verification window begins 1 December 2025.
JSB Accountants can help track these deadlines and advise clients on the most efficient verification method to meet compliance requirements.
How Directors and PSCs Can Verify Their ID
There are three main verification routes:
1. Self-verification via GOV.UK
Directors or PSCs can use the GOV.UK One Login service to confirm their identity online.
Alternatively, they can book an in-person verification appointment at selected Post Office branches.
Electronic verification by an ACSP
ACSPs can verify clients using identification document validation technology (IDVT).
The system must scan the document (passport, driving licence, etc.) and confirm authenticity via its embedded chip or image.
Manual verification by an ACSP
ACSPs may verify identity using paper documents after completing Home Office–standard training.
Verification must include either two documents from List A, or one from List A and one from List B, with at least one photographic document.
JSB Accountants can handle the entire verification process on behalf of directors and PSCs, using either electronic or manual methods depending on client preference and circumstances.
Steps Your Firm Should Take Now
The new regime isn’t just about client compliance, it’s about how your firm operates. Here’s how to prepare:
Register as an ACSP
Apply early to avoid processing delays.
Once registered, ensure at least one team member verifies their own ID using GOV.UK to understand the process first-hand.
Choose your verification method
Decide whether to use electronic IDVT tools (for speed and automation) or manual document checks (which require more rigorous internal procedures).
Update internal policies
Align your AML and record-keeping processes with the new Companies House requirements.
Maintain verification records for a minimum of seven years.
Set pricing and communicate early
Consider whether to charge clients for verification services and communicate pricing options ahead of confirmation statement deadlines.
If you choose not to offer verification
Notify clients early so they can manage their own verification or use a trusted third party.
JSB Accountants can provide these services for clients who prefer professional support.
Looking Ahead: A More Transparent Future
The introduction of mandatory ID verification marks a new era of corporate transparency.
For accountants, this means more compliance work in the short term, but also greater trust and credibility in the long term.
By acting early, your firm can position itself as a trusted ACSP partner, ready to guide clients through these changes with confidence and professionalism. And for businesses looking for expert assistance, JSB Accountants is here to help every step of the way.
Key Takeaways
âś… Register as an ACSP before Autumn 2025.
âś… Decide on electronic or manual verification methods.
âś… Keep verification records for seven years.
âś… Communicate early with clients about the new requirements.
âś… Expect Companies House to enforce the regime fully by Spring 2026.
âś… JSB Accountants can provide expert support, including verification services, compliance advice, and deadline management.
As a family-run company, we pride ourselves on providing a bespoke service tailored to your particular needs.
Above all, our objective is to save you time, money and effort in managing your accounts, leaving you free to focus on building your business.
Remember, you’re not alone, we’re always here to help if you have an accounts problem or query
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