Companies House Identity Verification Begins (18 Nov 2025)

Companies House ID Verification Begins Today — What Slough Directors Need to Know

A Complete Guide by Direct Assist – Chartered Certified Accountants

Last reviewed: 18 November 2025

A major regulatory change has officially come into force today, 18 November 2025.

Companies House has activated its new identity verification requirements—marking one of the most significant compliance changes UK company directors and Persons of Significant Control (PSCs) have faced in decades.

These deadlines are no longer theoretical. From today, ID verification becomes a mandatory part of UK corporate law. Any delay now carries immediate administrative and financial consequences for businesses in Slough and across the UK.

As of this morning, all directors, PSCs and Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) must move from preparation to action. Identity verification must now be completed either:

Directly via Companies House (Gov.uk)
Or through an approved ACSP such as an accounting firm or corporate service provider

These reforms aim to strengthen transparency, reduce fraud, and prevent the misuse of UK companies—yet they introduce new compliance challenges for thousands of Slough-based companies.

➡️ Official source:
Companies House – Identity Verification

A New Corporate Compliance Era Begins Today

With the ID verification system now mandatory, more than six million UK directors are immediately affected.

Failure to verify identity can lead to:

Compliance Risk	Details
Rejected Filings	Your Companies House submissions may be rejected until identity verification is completed.
Late Submission Penalties	Delays caused by missing verification can lead to financial penalties for late filings.
Restrictions on Company Activities	The company may face limitations on what it can legally do until verification is finalised.
Director Disqualification	Persistent non-compliance may result in directors being removed or disqualified by Companies House.

Existing directors and PSCs do benefit from a 12-month transition period, but they cannot file a Confirmation Statement until every relevant individual has been verified.

However:

New directors appointed from today have NO grace period.

They must complete identity verification before legally taking up their role.

Many businesses—especially those who waited until the final days—now face operational delays, bottlenecks, and increased risk of non-compliance. ACSPs in Slough and nationwide will experience an immediate surge in demand.

Why This Matters for Businesses in Slough

Slough is home to thousands of active companies, many of whom rely on outsourced accountancy and compliance support. These new rules now make proper identity verification legally mandatory, meaning every director, PSC and ACSP must act immediately.

Verification must be completed either:

Directly with Companies House, or
Through an authorised corporate service provider such as
➡️ Direct Assist Accountants:
Companies House Compliance Services

As trusted accountants in Slough, we are already supporting local businesses with identity checks, confirmation statements, and Companies House compliance.

Why Manual Checks Will Struggle (and Affect Slough Businesses)

Many small businesses in Slough still depend on manual or paper-based systems. Under the new Companies House regime, that will cause:

Manual Process Issue	Details
Verification Backlogs	Small businesses relying on manual systems may face significant delays in verifying directors and PSCs.
Filing Delays	Manual processes slow down submission to Companies House, causing late filings.
Increased Admin Time	Collecting documents, verifying identities, and retaining audit evidence requires extra effort and staff hours.
Risk of Non-Compliance	Errors or missed steps in manual verification increase the risk of penalties or director disqualification.
Manual Verification Steps	Document collection Authenticity checks Liveness confirmation AML-trained staff involvement Audit evidence retention

For high-volume Slough practices and busy company directors, manual systems are no longer efficient.

Digital verification solutions are now essential for accuracy and speed.

➡️ Need help preparing?
Business Advisory & Compliance Support

What Slough Businesses Should Look for in a Companies House–Approved IDV System

To comply with Companies House, your IDV system must include:

ID Verification Requirement	Details
Government-Certified Identity Service Provider	Only certified IDV providers are accepted by Companies House. Non-certified providers will result in rejected verifications.
Rapid Deployment	Slough companies often operate on tight timelines. IDV platform features should include: Bulk invitations Automated reminders Fast integration Real-time tracking
Biometric & NFC Verification	Ensures accurate identity checks High-security verification Simultaneous AML screening
Scalability	Technology must handle millions of verifications without delays or performance issues.

The New Era Begins Now

The Companies House identity verification regime is no longer upcoming—it is fully active today.

For Directors in Slough

Your priority is simple:

👉 Verify your identity immediately to avoid penalties, rejected filings, or delays in company operations.

For ACSPs & Accountants in Slough

Your responsibility is more complex:

High-volume verification
AML obligations
Client communication
Audit-ready record keeping

Manual processes may fill temporary gaps, but they are no longer viable as a primary method. Firms equipped with automated, compliant IDV technology will manage demand efficiently and reduce compliance risks.

Compliance Services We Recommend:

Compliance Service	Details
Companies House Filing Support	Assistance with all necessary filings to ensure your company meets UK regulatory requirements.
Confirmation Statement Filing	Preparation and submission of annual Confirmation Statements to Companies House accurately and on time.
Corporate Tax & Compliance	Expert guidance on corporate tax matters and ongoing compliance obligations for UK companies.
Director ID Verification Support	Support for directors and Persons of Significant Control (PSCs) to complete Companies House ID verification correctly.
Our Commitment	Direct Assist Accountants helps your business stay compliant, protected, and confidently aligned with the new Companies House requirements.

Conclusion

The identity verification era at Companies House has officially begun.

There is no preparation window left—only the requirement to act now.

Whether you’re a company director who must verify today, or an ACSP managing high client volumes, immediate action is essential to avoid penalties, delays, and operational disruption.

At Direct Assist Accountants Ltd, we support companies across Slough and the UK with:

🔹 Companies House compliance
🔹 Annual accounts & tax returns
🔹 Director ID verification support
🔹 Confirmation Statements
🔹 HMRC & AML compliance
🔹 Company formation and restructuring
🔹 ROE, KYC and corporate governance

➡️ View our services:
https://directassistaccountants.co.uk/services/

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