Companies House Online ID checks required from 18 November 2025
You may have heard recently, in some cases via a direct email from Companies House, that all directors of companies / partners in LLP’s / Persons with Significant Control (PSC’s) will need to have undergone an online identity check before they can continue to file documents with Companies House.
Companies House have now confirmed that these ID checks will become mandatory from 18th November 2025.
ChadSan also need to have verified our identity and registered details of our anti-money laundering (AML) supervisory body in order to be registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to be in a position to continue filing documents with Companies House on your behalf.
The good news is that we have already registered as an ACSP and had to undertake the online ID checks ourselves as part of this. We can confirm that if you have the relevant ID documents and address details lined up in advance then the free verification process offered by Companies House should take you no more than around 15 minutes.
Once this does come into force without all necessary individuals having completed the identity checks and provided us with the unique identifier we will not be able to file confirmation statements / accounts etc. for your company. This could lead to late filing penalties and in the worst-case action to strike the company off or prosecute its directors. It is therefore strongly recommended that you complete your ID checks and provide us with the resultant unique identifier as soon as possible..
How to verify your identity
The verification is free and typically takes c15 minutes if you have your passport/driving licence and proof of address ready.
- Start the process here to “Verify your identity.”
- Keep your unique ID code safe and share it with us if we file on your behalf.
Whilst we cannot complete the identity checks on your behalf, if you are having trouble with them then please do feel free to contact your Client Manager at ChadSan who will do their best to assist you.
Who needs to verify their identity
Please do contact us if you need clarification around who it is that needs to complete the checks. This should broadly be:
- Any shareholders who hold more than 20% of the issued share capital either directly or indirectly (i.e. through a holding company)
- Any directors if you are a company limited by share capital
- Any members if you are a company limited by guarantee
- Any partners if you are a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
What you need to do by role
Directors (who are not also PSCs):
Deadline: Before your company’s first confirmation statement filed on/after 18 Nov 2025.
Action: Complete the free Companies House ID check and send your unique ID code to your ChadSan Client Manager.
Directors (who are also PSCs):
Deadline: Same as above for directors plus the PSC step below.
Action:
- Complete the ID check and send us your unique ID code.
- From 18 Nov 2025, use the new Companies House portal to link your ID to each relevant company.
PSCs (who are not directors):
Deadline: The 14th day of your birth month (e.g., if your birthday is in December → 14 December 2025).
Action (from 18 Nov 2025):
- Complete the ID check to obtain your unique ID code.
- Use the new Companies House portal to link your ID to each relevant company.
Note: We can submit director ID codes within the confirmation statement, but we cannot complete the PSC linking step on your behalf. Each PSC must log in and complete that linking themselves.
Why this matters
Without completed ID verification (and PSC linking where applicable), we won’t be able to file your confirmation statement or accounts after the relevant deadlines. This risks late filing penalties and, in severe cases, strike-off or prosecution.
Need Help?
If you’re unsure who in your business must complete which step, or you run into any issues with verification, please contact your ChadSan Client Manager. We’ll guide you through what applies to your company and help you plan the timings..
