Author: Phillips & Co Accountants, Chester
Date: 10 November, 2025
If you are one of the many company directors who handles their own administrative filings at Companies House, your usual routine is about to change.
As Accountants in Chester advising many local business owners, we often see directors managing these simple tasks themselves. For years, logging in to file documents like your annual Confirmation Statement has been quick and straightforward. However, under new anti-fraud regulations, you can no longer just log in and file.
Before you can submit certain documents, Companies House now requires you to legally verify your identity.
Here is everything you need to know about the new process, why it’s happening, and how to make sure you don’t get caught out.
Why the change?
The UK government is cracking down on economic crime. Historically, it was too easy for fraudsters to set up fake companies or appoint fictitious directors because Companies House did not have the power to check if the people named on the register were who they claimed to be.
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act has changed this. The goal is to ensure that every person on the register—and everyone filing documents—is a verified, real person.
What do I need to do?
If you handle your own filings, you must complete a one-time digital identity verification process.
This isn’t just a simple email confirmation. It is a formal check that links you permanently to your authorised filings.
The Practical Steps
Most people will need to use the GOV.UK One Login service. If you already use this for other government services (like checking your personal tax account), it may be quicker.
To complete the check, you will need to be prepared with:
A valid photo ID: A passport or photocard driving licence.
A smartphone: You will usually need to download an app to scan your ID document and complete a “liveness check” (scanning your face to prove you are a real person and not just uploading a photo).
Once verified, your status will be linked to your Companies House account, allowing you to continue filing as normal.
⚠️ The Danger Zone: Don’t Wait Until Deadline Day
This is our most critical piece of advice: Do not wait until your Confirmation Statement or Accounts are due to do this.
We all know standard tech glitches happen—apps crash, ID scans fail if the lighting isn’t right, or names might not perfectly match between documents.
If you leave this until the day your filing is due and you hit a technical snag, you will be unable to file. Companies House automatically issues late filing penalties the moment you miss a deadline, and “I couldn’t get the ID app to work” is unlikely to be accepted as an excuse for an appeal.
Our recommendation: Log in and get verified this week, even if your next filing isn’t due for months.
If you’d like expert guidance, contact Phillips & Co Accountants Chester today.
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Disclaimer
The information contained in this blog is for general guidance only. It does not constitute professional advice and should not be relied upon as such. Always seek tailored advice from a qualified accountant regarding your specific circumstances.