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Companies House ID verification — FAQ for Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) and Charities

Intro
From 18 November 2025 Companies House will require identity verification for people who are registered with Companies House (company directors and persons with significant control (PSCs).

This FAQ answers the common questions CIOs and charities may have.

As a trustee of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), am I subject to the new ID verification rules?

No. A Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is created and registered with the Charity Commission, not Companies House. Trustees of a CIO are not required to verify their identity with Companies House solely because they are trustees. Companies House identity verification applies to people who are registered on the Companies House register (for example company directors and PSCs). (See Sources.)

If our charity is a charitable company (company limited by guarantee), do trustees/directors have to verify?

Yes — but only because, in a charitable company, the trustees are also the company’s directors under company law. The new Companies House identity verification rules apply to directors, not to charity trustees generally. Since directors of a charitable company are usually the same people as its trustees, they must verify in their role as directors. From 18 November 2025 directors will need to provide their Companies House personal code as part of their company’s next confirmation statement, and new directors will be required to verify at appointment or incorporation.

What about People with Significant Control (PSCs)?

PSCs on the Companies House register must verify and provide a Companies House personal code. Timing depends on circumstances: if a PSC is also a director the 14‑day PSC deadline runs from the company’s confirmation statement date; if not a director an existing PSC has a 14‑day window starting on the first day of their birth month (as recorded at Companies House); new PSCs must verify within 14 days of being added. Companies House will provide an online service for PSC verification from the base date.

We’ve received an email from Companies House about ID checks even though we’re a CIO — why?

CIOs are registered only with the Charity Commission, so they should not be contacted by Companies House about identity verification. If you have, it’s usually for one of these reasons:

  • A trustee has another role — for example, they are also a director of a separate company registered at Companies House. The message relates to their director role, not to the CIO.
  • Companies House contact lists — messages are being sent to registered email addresses linked to other filings, which can include individuals involved in more than one organisation.
  • Scam or phishing emails — fraudsters are copying official messages. Always check the sender ends in @companieshouse.gov.uk, never post or email ID documents, and use GOV.UK guidance to report suspicious emails.

What methods can individuals and agents use to verify identity?

Individuals can verify directly via the GOV.UK One Login service (online) or in person at selected Post Offices (where offered), or they can use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify on their behalf. Companies House supports identity document validation technology (IDVT) approaches (Option 1) and manual/document checks by trained staff (Option 2); different documents are acceptable under each route. You should NOT post or email identity documents to Companies House.

What records can be kept, and for how long?

Those who undertake identity checks (including ACSPs) must keep records of the evidence and checks for 7 years from the date the check is completed. This Includes:

  • copies of the documents checked
  • evidence of checks completed and any failed attempts

You do not need to submit the copies to Companies House when you tell them someone’s verified, but Companies House may ask for information about the documents used.

Can ProArtsPlus carry out ID Verification checks?

Yes! ProArtsPlus is a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), which means we are approved by Companies House to undertake identity verification checks on behalf of our clients.
As part of our company formation and compliance services, we can verify your identity quickly and securely, ensuring you meet the new Companies House requirements!

Any short practical checklist for charities?
1) Confirm your charity’s legal form: check the Charity Commission register (CIOs) and Companies House (charitable companies).
2) If you are a charitable company, flag directors/trustees for Companies House IDV and plan for personal codes to be provided at the next confirmation statement.
3) If any trustee is a PSC of a company on the Companies House register, note the PSC timing rules (14 days windows) and collect codes as required.
4) If you verify clients or plan to file on their behalf, consider registering as an ACSP and confirm AML supervisory arrangements.
5) Be alert to phishing: do not post/email identity documents and verify any suspicious message via official GOV.UK/Companies House channels.

Where can we read the official guidance?

Key official sources are GOV.UK pages (Companies House): ‘When you need to verify your identity for Companies House’, ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’, ‘How to meet Companies House identity verification standard’, and the Companies House announcement confirming the 18 November 2025 rollout.

Checked against official Companies House / GOV.UK guidance (see Sources at the end)
Date: 5 October 2025.

Sources