All companies should be aware that The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) makes a change which comes into effect later this year. It involves the mandatory requirement that all company directors, persons with significant control (PSCs), and individuals filing on behalf of a company need to verify their ID. This change is now only a couple of months away, albeit a transition period will apply.

The government's free-to-use identity verification service (Verify your identity for Companies House - GOV.UK) has already launched, allowing individuals to apply for verification. Once you undertake this process, you will be given a unique code, which will be required in relation to future filing in relation to the individual. We encourage those affected to verify their ID as soon as possible if you have not already done so. 

Please also note that any new companies incorporated from autumn 2025 will need their directors (and PSCs if applicable) to be verified. 

We will, of course, be helping clients with this process.

Robert Collier, VWV Head of Corporate