Following the United Kingdom’s controversial implementation of the controversial Digital Services Act, the country is now looking to force companies to accept digital identity and biometric verification in order to operate. Today, the U.K. government published a press release explaining the upcoming change.
The change is being headed up by Companies House, the official British register of companies. “We incorporate and dissolve limited companies,” the website says. “We register company information and make it available to the public.” The department maintains and stores records of every incorporated business in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Residents can search for legal status, incorporation information, officers, shareholders, and financial filings on the department’s website.
The move is called “Verify,” and directors of businesses will have to get their legal identity biometrically approved. This will begin on November 18th, 2025.
AI and Digital Government Minister Feryal Clark said in a statement:
“This is an important and welcome step in our plan to modernise government and build a stronger, more trusted digital economy and deliver our Plan for Change.
“By introducing identity verification through GOV.UK One Login, we’re using technology to make life easier for people. It means companies can prove who’s behind them in a fast, secure, and user-friendly way.
“This is us driving better services, accurate data, and business growth to make government work for everyone.”
Companies House confirms that from Tuesday 18 November 2025, legal requirements for directors and people with significant control (PSCs) of companies to verify their identities will begin.
From 18 November 2025:
new directors will need to verify their identity to incorporate a company or be appointed to an existing company
existing directors will need to confirm they have verified their identity at the same time as they file their next annual confirmation statement, during a 12-month transition period
existing PSCs will need to verify their identity in line with an appointed day within 12 months of the commencement of mandatory identity verification on 18 November
The rollout of identity verification will boost business and support growth by giving more assurance about who is setting up, running and controlling companies in the UK. Companies of all sizes will benefit from more accurate and trustworthy register data and greater protections against fraud.
We are phasing in identity verification over 12 months to provide the best support to all companies and individuals in scope of this new requirement. We estimate that 6 to 7 million individuals will need to verify their identity by mid-November 2026. For most people this will be a one-off process that can be done in a few minutes. We will contact companies to tell them what their directors and PSCs need to do to meet identity verification requirements. We encourage individuals to verify their identities as early as possible.
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