ECCT Information – Action Required
We’re fully prepared to help you understand its implications and ensure you remain compliant.
ECCT Information
Companies House Identity Verification – Action Required by 18 November 2025 to avoid penalties and filing disruptions.
From 18 November 2025, a major change to UK company law under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCT) will come into effect.
All company directors (including corporate directors), Person with Significant Control (PSCs) for Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP’s), and LLP members must verify their identity with Companies House.
How Verification Works
Identity verification is a one-off process (you will only need to re-verify if your personal details change significantly).
Once verified, you will receive a unique code, similar to an NI number, linked to all your Companies House appointments. You need to provide your accountant with this code for filing of documents.
Your Two Verification Options:
- Through Charterhouse (Recommended)
As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), we will:
- Send you a summary of the information currently held at Companies House so you can confirm it matches your ID (name, residential address, date of birth).
- Make any updates needed to your Companies House records before verification.
- Provide a secure link to our approved software which will guide you step-by-step — including uploading ID and taking a live photo.
- Process your verification code and update our records so we can continue filing on your behalf without interruption to Companies House, including filing of Confirmation statements and Statutory accounts.
Fee: £75 + VAT per individual (Fee may be higher for overseas officers).
Please see a link to our terms and conditions here.
Get in touch with us today to start your Verification
- Directly via GOV.UK (Free Service)
You can complete verification yourself through the government portal. However it may be more time-consuming:
You must update your own records first
- If your Companies House details (name, address, DOB) do not exactly match your ID, the verification may fail.
- You are responsible for making those updates yourself before starting the process.
- We can assist you with these changes, but fees will apply
You must manage multiple entities
- If you are associated with multiple companies, your code must be correctly linked to each entity.
Limited support
- GOV.UK does not provide any support if something goes wrong and you must troubleshoot any rejections.
- If you make a mistake, you will still need to pay a professional to fix it afterwards.
If you later need our help to correct issues or link codes, additional fees will apply.
www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house
Why This Matters
Failure to verify your identity will mean:
- Financial penalties for non-compliance
- Inability to file statutory documents (risking late-filing penalties)
- Possible trading restrictions that could impact your business
All relevant individuals must be verified before your next Confirmation Statement can be filed after 18 November 2025.
Next Steps
- Gather your ID documents
- Choose your verification method (Charterhouse or GOV.UK)
- Complete verification and send us your code so we can update our records
Questions? – Please see Frequently asked questions below.
Our team is here to help email: compliance@charter-house.net
Companies House Identity Verification – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is identity verification and why is it being introduced?
Identity verification is a new legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. It’s designed to improve transparency, prevent fraud, and ensure the accuracy of the Companies House register.
Who needs to verify their identity?
- Existing directors (Including corporate)
- Existing Persons of Significant Control (PSCs)
- Existing LLP members
- All new directors, People with Significant Control (PSCs) and LLP members before appointment
Who is a PSC (Person with Significant Control)?
A PSC (Person with Significant Control) is anyone who:
- Owns more than 25% of shares
- Holds more than 25% of voting rights
- Has the right to appoint or remove a majority of directors
- Otherwise has significant influence or control over the company
(or over a trust/firm that meets the above conditions)
How do I verify my identity?
There are two approved methods:
- Through Charterhouse (Recommended) – As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), we will manage the entire process for £75 + VAT per individual. Our team is here to help email: compliance@charter-house.net
- Directly via GOV.UK (Free service) – Verify your identity here: www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house
What documents will I need?
Typically, you’ll need:
- A valid passport or driving licence
- Proof of address (e.g. utility bill or bank statement)
- A device with a camera if verifying online
- An email address unique only to you
Important: Before verification, your personal details (name, date of birth, nationality, etc.) must exactly match both your ID documents and the records held at Companies House. If updates are needed, they must be made prior to starting the verification process.
What happens after I verify?
You will receive a personal verification code from Companies House. We would ask that once received you forward the code to us to attach to your Company’s House records
This code must be used when:
- Filing documents
- Appointing new officers
- Updating company records
Important: All relevant Directors/Members and PSC’s will need to be verified before any confirmation statement filing can be made to Companies House after 18th November 2025.
What if I don’t verify my identity?
The failure to verify identity when required to do so could result in various consequences, including:
- criminal proceedings may be commenced with the potential of an unlimited fine;
- civil penalties issued by the Registrar of Companies;
- a director will be prohibited from acting as a director;
- applications to register a new company being rejected by the Registrar;
- being unable to make statutory filings; and
- marking an individual’s status as “unverified” on the public register. It is also expected that credit institutions will have policies to withdraw lending from borrowers with “unverified” persons involved with it.
Can your firm help with verification?
Yes, we are an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) and will be able to verify identities on your behalf. The fee for this service is £75 + VAT. For our services, please contact compliance@charter-house.net.
Is this a one-time process?
Yes, once verified, your identity remains confirmed unless your personal details change significantly.
Does this apply to oversea directors and PCS’s?
Yes. All individuals, regardless of nationality or location, must verify their identity if they hold a relevant role in a UK company (Fees for overseas officers may be higher).
Does this apply to corporate directors?
Yes, if your company has a corporate director, a Relevant Officer of that corporate entity must also complete verification.