Directors, PSCs and LLP members all have to verify. Here's what counts as ID and what happens if you don't.
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Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, every director, every person with significant control (PSC), and every LLP member has to verify their identity with Companies House. It's a one-off check, not an annual one — but it has to be done before certain filings will go through.
Who exactly: existing directors and PSCs of companies already on the register, anyone newly appointed, LLP designated and non-designated members, and anyone who files documents at Companies House on a company's behalf (that includes us, as your agent).
What counts as ID: the check runs through GOV.UK One Login, using a passport, a UK photocard driving licence, or a biometric residence permit. It's free and only you can complete it — but we'll check your documents will be accepted, set the account up with you, and sit with you on a call or screen-share while you do it, so it doesn't stall halfway through.
What happens if you don't: filings get rejected outright. Confirmation statements, accounts, and changes of officer all depend on the people involved having a verified identity on record. Ignore it for long enough and it becomes a criminal offence, not just an admin problem.
The bit that actually causes delays: almost nobody struggles with the ID check itself — it's the GOV.UK One Login account setup that trips people up, usually because of an email or document mismatch. We check your documents will be accepted before you start, so it doesn't fail halfway through.
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