3 Key dates for all directors and shareholders with significant control
The landscape of corporate transparency is evolving, with new identity verification requirements set to take effect in the coming years. These changes will impact company directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs). In this blog, we break down the three key dates you need to know—from the voluntary introduction in March 2025 to the full enforcement by Autumn 2026—so you can stay informed and compliant.
25 March 2025
This is when the new identity verification requirements come into effect on a voluntary basis.
Individuals will be able to verify their identity using GOV.UK One Login or via an ACSP (authorised corporate service provider)
Autumn 2025
In Autumn 2025, mandatory identity verification for all company directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs) on incorporation and appointment.
Autumn 2026
Autumn 2026 will be the end of the 12-month transition period: existing directors and People of Significant control will have a year to comply with the new requirements, and so will be required to have completed identity verification by autumn 2026.
As noted in my previous blog regarding the changing powers of Companies House, Companies House has published the impact of the first 6 months of changes, which came into effect on the 4th of March 2024. They have:
- Removed 60,700 suspicious or inappropriate registered office addresses
- Removed 47,200 officer addresses and 42,900 people with significant control (PSC) addresses
- Redacted 40,300 incorporation documents to remove personal data used without consent
- Removed 9,500 documents from the register, including false mortgage satisfaction filings, which would have previously required a court order
- This has affected 75,600 companies in total.
It’s great to see the increasing accuracy and reliability of the information at companies house. The further changes to the verification of identities will only further add to greater corporate transparency.
If you have any questions, we will be on hand to help you through the changes and requirements. Please contact Simon Kendall, Director, for more information.
