From 8 April 2025, company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) in the United Kingdom (UK) have been able to voluntarily verify their identity with Companies House. From 18 November 2025, however, such verification will become mandatory, marking a significant shift in UK corporate governance.
Ahead of these new requirements, this article outlines the changes and the role of Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs), and explains how Hawksford can assist clients with the verification process, helping to ensure compliance with new regulatory standards.
What is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)?
Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs), also known as Companies House authorised agents, organisations that Companies House has approved to provide identity verification services. To qualify, they must meet stringent standards including being based in the UK and supervised by one of the UK’s 25 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervisory bodies. All third-party agents who file information on behalf of companies will need to be an ACSP by spring 2026.
Hawksford is officially registered as an ACSP with Companies House and can assist when the below changes take place for company directors and PSCs.
Upcoming changes on identity verification for company directors and PSCs
Anyone establishing, managing, owning or controlling a company in the UK will soon be required to verify their identity. This is being implemented in a phased approach to help companies with the transition. The following are key dates to take note of:
8 April 2025 – 18 November 2025: Voluntarily identity verification
From 8 April 2025, company directors and PSCs can voluntarily verify their identity with Companies House. PSCs are identified by criteria such as holding over 25% share of voting rights or having the power to appoint or remove majority of the board of directors.
Verification involves presenting government-issued documents, such as a biometric passport or UK driving licence, and matching it to the applicant. This can be done through:
- An ACSP
- GOV.UK One Login online service
- In person at a Post Office
This voluntary period is an opportunity for directors and PSCs to get verified early and resolve any issues before verification becomes compulsory on 18 November 2025. Those who verify will receive a unique Companies House personal code for future filings.
18 November 2025: Mandatory identity verification for new appointments
As of 18 November 2025, the verification of identity will become mandatory for new company directors and PSCs in the UK. This means that when a new company is incorporated or a new company director or PSC (not previously verified) of an existing company is appointed, the identity of the company director or PSC will need to be verified as part of the appointment process.
Companies House will not complete the incorporation or accept the appointment filing unless the person’s identity has been verified.
2025 – 2026: Transition period for existing company directors and PSCs
Existing company directors and PSCs will have a 12-month transition period from 18 November 2to verify their identities, if they have not already done so. The verification must be completed before filing the company’s next annual confirmation statement.
Failing to comply will constitute an offence and can result in financial penalties, inability to make statutory filings, rejection of new company registrations or even company strike-off.
How ACSPs support corporate governance in UK
The changes that were introduced in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 are part of the UK’s efforts to prevent corporate fraud and increase the accuracy of information on the Companies House register. This represents a major step forward for corporate governance in the UK.
Once fully implemented, identity verification will be a permanent, ongoing requirement for UK companies. This ensures that those in positions of company authority are properly identified, making it more difficult for bad actors to use fake or stolen identities to establish fraudulent companies.
ACSPs themselves are held to high standards of conduct. As trusted intermediaries between businesses and regulatory bodies, they are responsible for conducting rigorous identity checks that meet the same standard of assurance as the government’s own verification processes.
Companies House has made it clear that an ACSP’s authorisation can be suspended if they fail to meet its obligations such as losing its AML supervision status or not conducting checks properly. Public notices will also be published if an ACSP is disqualified.
These measures aim to increase trust in UK companies domestically and internationally as every director must prove their identity and every agent is held accountable. Foreign investors can then have greater confidence when it comes to starting a business in the UK, knowing that the corporate landscape is more transparent and secure.
Next steps: How Hawksford can help you as an ACSP
While individual directors, PSCs and Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) members have the option to verify their identity directly with Companies House, many may find it more practical to use an ACSP, like Hawksford. This is particularly the case for overseas-based directors, who may not be able to access to the Companies House online portal.
As an authorised agent, Hawksford can facilitate the verification process using a secure software-based solution, ensuring compliance and accuracy without the need for a biometric ID. This means we are able to verify the identities of directors and PSCs who are nationals of other countries – such as South Africa and India, for example – streamlining the process for international clients and removing common barriers to compliance.
This means that Hawksford is perfectly placed to manage filings with Companies House both now and in the future, for example, when using an ACSP becomes mandatory for third-party filings.
Please get in touch if you have any questions about how these changes affect you, or if you require support with verification.
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