Companies House has introduced new rules to make company ownership more transparent and secure. If you’re a director or material ultimate beneficial owner, or planning to become one, you will need to verify your identity. You will then receive an 'IDV code' which is unique to you and can be used with any company where you are a Director or Person with Significant Control (PSC).

The goal is simple: to prevent fraud and boost trust in UK businesses. Previously, it was easy to register fake companies or use false names. As part of the new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), IDV will help ensure that all directors and material ultimate beneficial owners are real, traceable individuals.

Directors and PSCs. All new and existing directors of UK companies and those who own or control (directly or indirectly) more than 25% of a company’s shares or otherwise exercise significant control over a company.

November 18th, 2025. This is the date that IDV codes need to be used by all new and existing Directors and PSCs when incorporating a new company or filing your Confirmation statement. Since the new regulations were announced, ProSec have been asking for IDV documents for all new Directors we have appointed. This means we are already getting ready, to the extent possible, to comply with the new IDV process once it is introduced.

ProSec will send you a link to complete an AML check. This verifies your identity using your passport and proof of address from the last 12 months. In order to meet Companies House verification standard, the check uses cryptographic technology. Once the AML check is completed, ProSec will verify your identity with Companies House through our ACSP portal. Once this has been done, you will receive your six-digit IDV code by email. If you are a ProSec cosec client, we would then ask for you to send this code back to us so we can continue file on your behalf. You can obtain your own IDV code free of charge through the GovUK OneLogin website.

Failure to verify your identity can have significant consequences, including delays in registering as a director, fines or enforcement actions against the company or being removed as a director if you’re already on the register. If you’re unsure about what you need to do, don’t worry – if you are an existing client, ProSec will be contacting you at the appropriate time in the new year to let you know what we need in order to make sure you and your company stays compliant.

No. This is a one-time verification and once you have your IDV code, this is your code until Companies House advises otherwise.

We also offer an annual CoSec service, a central London Registered Office address service and a new company Incorporation service as well as more bespoke services such as digitising your company registers, creating board minutes, shareholder resolutions, articles of association, an iterative cap table, dissolving your company or just running a CoSec MOT to check everything is in order. If you need any of these services, please Contact Us for a quote.