The United Kingdom introduces mandatory identity checks for company directors and owners
From 18 November 2025, all directors and persons controlling companies in the UK must confirm their identity under the new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
What you need to know:
New directors are vetted immediately after appointment.
Existing directors are required to verify their identity within a year and then do so annually.
The rule also applies to foreign companies with offices in the UK.
The procedure is free of charge and is carried out through the GOV.UK One Login service or through an authorised provider. After verification, a personal Companies House code is issued. It is estimated that 6-7 million people will have to undergo verification in the first year; more than 300,000 have already done so.
If a director fails to comply with the requirement, it will be considered a violation of the law and may lead to legal consequences.
Please contact our company's experts for more details.
