Stronger ID Checks at Companies House
What this means for your credit decisions:
From 18 November 2025 Companies House is rolling out mandatory identity
verification for all company directors and people with significant control
(PSCs).
Why it matters to you as a credit professional:
These changes will make it easier to verify who really runs a company- helping
you spot red flags earlier, reduce fraud risk, and strengthen your customer due
diligence.
Key changes to know:
A unique, traceable verification code will be linked to each verified individual. You’ll be able to see verification status on the public Companies House register.
· New directors must verify their identity before they can be legally appointed.
· Existing directors must verify their identity by their next confirmation statement (within 12 months).
· PSCs (e.g. major shareholders or decision-makers) also need to verify.
What this means for credit vetting:
· Instantly see if a company’s leadership is verified and flag unverified or suspicious appointments.
· Spot nominee or proxy directors more easily, helping you assess the real risk behind shell or high-risk entities.
· Use verified ID data as part of your KYC, onboarding, and ongoing monitoring processes.
· Stronger, cleaner company data reduces your exposure to fraud and improves trust in customer records.
What you can do now:
· Get ready to review Companies House profiles more closely – watch for missing or unverified ID flags.
· If you rely on third-party credit reports, make sure they’ll reflect the new verification data.
· Train your team to interpret the new register information as part of risk assessments.
These changes are part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, a major step in improving corporate transparency in the UK.
Written by Sara Souyave
Sara Souyave
Director & Head of Commercial Services