Letter to People with Significant Control Regarding ID Verification 
The introduction of identity verification is one of the key changes to UK company law under the Economic Crime & Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). This applies to new and existing company directors, new and existing PSCs, as well as those delivering documents to Companies House. All these parties will need to be ID verified under the provisions of the ECCTA and there will be potential civil and criminal penalties for failure to do so. The voluntary period for identity verification (IDV) opened on 8th April 2025 and mandatory IDV begins on 18th November 2025. The first wave of mandatory IDV only applies to individual PSCs rather than relevant legal entities (RLEs). RLEs will have to IDV at a later, as yet unspecified, date.
The ECCTA gives Companies House new and enhanced powers to help disrupt economic crime and the IDV regime is a key component of this.
From 18th November 2025, new and existing PSCs will have to IDV within strict new time limits. This template letter from a company to its PSCs outlines in broad terms the IDV regime applicable to PSCs to enable them to understand what the regime is, the timescales involved and the steps that both they and the company need to undertake in order to ensure that this is done in a timely manner.
This letter has been updated to reflect the Government's timetable and the transition period that will see more than 7 million people going through enhanced checks. For companies that have not already done so, communicating with their PSCs is now a matter of urgency. This letter is a good starting point. This letter explains the IDV regime and encourages PSCs to IDV as early as possible. Verifying as soon as possible means that if complications arise there is less likelihood of missed deadlines and potential fines for non-compliance as well as being ahead of the vast bulk of people that also need to IDV.
Most PSCs should be able to IDV via the GOV.UK One Login Service. This is a quick and free Government service. However, if there are complications with identity documents, ability to use online services or overseas PSCs etc, PSCs may need to use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to IDV.
Companies House guidance in relation to the IDV process is available here.
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