Letter to Directors 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). Directors will need to be ID verified to act 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. IDV applies to directors irrespective of their nationality or where they are resident.
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, it will no longer be possible to register an appointment of a director at Companies House nor for that director to act, until they have been ID verified. Existing directors will also need to be ID verified to continue to act and must have their identity verified before the company next files its annual confirmation statement (this does not apply to corporate directors).
As the Government has now specified that the first wave of compulsory IDV will come into force from 18th November 2025, this template letter from a company to its directors, has been updated to reflect this timetable and the transition period that will see more than 7 million people going through enhanced checks. Given this timeline, for companies that have not already done so, communicating with directors is now a matter of urgency. This letter is a good starting point. This letter explains the IDV regime and encourages directors to IDV as soon 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 will also need to IDV.
Most directors 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 directors etc, directors 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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