Companies House ID Verification: What Firms Must Do by 18 Nov 2025
Why this matters
Mandatory identity verification begins 18 November 2025, with a 12-month rollout. Directors and PSCs at UK companies (including portfolio SPVs and holding entities) must verify to keep filings and corporate actions running smoothly.
Who is in scope
Company directors (new and existing)
People with significant control (PSCs)
LLP members (for LLPs)
Key decisions for GPs
Verification route: Direct via government or through an authorised provider.
Governance owner: Company secretary vs. portfolio ops vs. legal.
Evidence pack: Accepted IDs, address docs, and escalation path for edge cases.
Overseas directors: Early scheduling, in-country support, and translation needs.
Portfolio checklist
Build the inventory – all in-scope individuals across each entity.
Communications kit – step-by-step guidance, FAQs, deadlines.
Standardise onboarding – add IDV steps to director/PSC appointment templates.
Track & audit – who verified, when, method, and renewal logic if applicable.
Calendar control – align IDV with confirmation statements and board changes.
Exception handling – lost documents, name mismatches, PEP/AML flags.
Operational risks to avoid
Missed filings or blocked changes due to unverified officers/PSCs.
Fragmented records across portfolio companies.
Last-minute backlogs near filing dates or year-end.
Practical timeline
Week 1–2: Inventory + comms pack + owner assigned for each entity.
Week 3–6: Begin verification for high-risk/overseas cases; pilot the process.
Week 7–12: Roll out to remaining directors/PSCs; monitor completion; close gaps.
Quarterly: Refresh inventory; update playbooks for new appointments and PSC changes.
Takeaway
Treat ID verification like KYC for your boards: one process, clear ownership, and complete evidence. Do it once; keep it tidy.