Authorised Corporate Service Provider

This note outlines the changes to Companies House requirements regarding the verification
of identity for company directors. It also details the steps you must take to comply with these new obligations and how our firm, as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), can assist you in this process.

1. Companies House – New Identity Verification Requirements

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduces significant reforms to the Companies House registration process. One of the key changes is the mandatory verification of identity for all company directors, members, general partners, managing officers, persons with significant control (PSCs), and those delivering documents to Companies House (e.g. company secretaries).

Effective Date:

From 18 November 2025, all individuals required to verify their identity for Companies House must do so in accordance with the Companies House identity verification standard. As an ACSP, we are legally required to comply with this standard when verifying your identity.

Who is Affected:

• All new and existing company directors.
• Persons with significant control (PSCs).
• Individuals filing documents on behalf of companies.
  
  

The Government will introduce a later date for identify verification for:

• People who file at Companies House
• Limited partnerships
• Corporate directors of companies
• Corporate members of LLPs
• Officers of corporate PSCs
  
  

Obligation:

Directors must have their identity verified either directly with Companies House or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (such as our firm) before they can be appointed or continue to act.

If you would like us to verify your identity, we charge a fee of £75 plus VAT (£90) per person.

You only need to verify your identity once, even if you are member or officer of more than one company.

2. Steps in the Identity Verification Process – using Gregsons as an ACSP

Step 1: You will be required to provide:

• Full name and any former names
• Date of birth
• Home address
• Address history for the last 12 months
• Email address
• Mobile phone number
  
  

Step 2: Provision of Documentary Evidence

You must provide documents to evidence your identity. We are required to retain copies of these documents for 7 years from the date of verification. We do not need to submit these documents to Companies House, but we must provide certain details about them such as your passport number or expiry date.

There are two ways to verify your identity documents:

Option 1: Using Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT) InfoTrack

The first option is to verify your identity documents through InfoTrack, an Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT) platform, which scans the chip in your passport when you take a photo to check your passport is valid.

InfoTrack is a third-party verification process. A secure link will be sent to your email address which you will need to access and follow the instructions.

You may provide one of the following photographic identity documents:

• Biometric or machine-readable passport, or Irish passport card (up to 6 months
  expired if cryptographic features can be validated)
• UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or EU photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
• EU, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein biometric identity card
• UK biometric residence permit (BRP) (up to 18 months expired)
• UK biometric residence card (BRC)
• UK Frontier Worker permit
  
  

InfoTrack will also require you to upload your address ID. These are items linking your name to your current address. Any bill, statement or letter (e.g. utility bill or bank statement) must show your address history for the last 12 months. A Council Tax bill for the current year is also sufficient.

InfoTrack charge a fee of £9.60 (inclusive of VAT) per person which is payable as a disbursement in addition to our fee of £75 plus VAT.

If for any reason InfoTrack verification is not possible we shall need to use Option 2.

Option 2: Manual Document Checking

This involves a personal check of your documents. You will be required to attend our offices and bring original identity documents with you. Please note that we can not accept scanned copies or photocopies; only original documents will be accepted for verification.

You must provide two documents:

• Either two photographic identity documents from Group A, or
• One photographic identity document from Group A and one document from Group B
  
  

Group A (Photographic Documents):

• Passport or Irish passport card (up to 18 months expired)
• EU, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein biometric identity card
• UK biometric residence permit (BRP) or UK biometric residence card (BRC) (up to 18
  months expired)
• UK accredited PASS card
• UK or EU driver digital tachograph card
• UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or EU photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
• UK HM Forces ID Card
• UK HM Armed Forces Veteran Card
• UK Frontier Worker permit
• Photographic work permit (government issued)
• Photographic immigration document or visa
• UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man firearms licence
• Other photographic ID from the EU or PRADO-participating countries
  
  

Group B (Supporting Documents):

• Birth or adoption certificate
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Non-photographic immigration document, visa, or work permit
• Bank or building society statement
• UK local authority or social housing rental agreement (current address)
• Mortgage statement (current address)
• UK council tax statement (current address)
• Utility bill (current address)
  
  

Note: If you do not live in the UK, at least one government-issued document must be
provided.

Step 3: Verification of Document Authenticity

Documents will be checked for authenticity and signs of tampering. If there are concerns, we may contact the issuing authority or relevant embassy.

Step 4: Confirmation of Identity and Ownership

We shall confirm that:

• The documents match your name and date of birth
• The cryptographic features (if using InfoTrack) are valid
• The photograph matches your appearance
• The identity is genuine and belongs to you
  
  

Additional documentation may be requested if address history or name changes are not
evidenced.

Step 5: Record Keeping

We are required to retain copies of all documents and evidence of your identity checks for 7 years, including records of any failed verification attempts.

Step 6: Decision and Notification

If satisfied, we shall notify Companies House via their online service, providing required details of the documents used and confirming compliance with the verification standard.

If we cannot verify your identity, we will retain records of the attempt and advise you accordingly.

4. Your Responsibilities and Next Steps

If you would like to proceed, please complete and return the attached request for identity verification form.

You are responsible for providing accurate and complete information and documentation. Please supply the required documents and information as soon as possible to avoid delays in compliance.