Company directors are being reminded that identity verification with Companies House is a legal requirement, following the first prosecutions brought by the Insolvency Service for failing to comply with the new rules.
Three company directors were fined at City of London Magistrates’ Court on 16 September after offences relating to the identity verification requirements.
The changes form part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 and are intended to improve the accuracy of the Companies House register and help prevent UK companies being misused for criminal purposes.
Since 18 November 2025, newly appointed company directors have been required to verify their identity with Companies House before acting as a director. Existing directors must complete verification during the 12-month transition period, generally when their company files its next confirmation statement.
The prosecutions also highlight that directors may have responsibilities beyond verifying their own identity. In one of the cases, a director who had completed his own verification was prosecuted after failing to take reasonable steps to prevent another unverified individual from continuing to act as a director.
Companies House and the Insolvency Service are therefore urging directors who have not yet completed the process to take action. Directors who continue to act without completing the required verification could face investigation and prosecution.
Identity verification can be completed free of charge online through Companies House or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.
Find out more and check the requirements:
Read the full guidance on GOV.UK