Is a Single Identity Verification Sufficient for a Director Who Manages Multiple Companies in the UK?

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In 2025/2026, identity verification became mandatory for both existing and new companies incorporated in the UK. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity for the company to be incorporated.

Now that this is for a single company, what happens to the director who manages multiple companies? If you are in this position, then you are in the right place. This article will explore everything you need to know about identity verification and the number of times to go through the process.

Understanding the identity verification process

Identity verification was introduced in April 2025 to know who is running companies in the United Kingdom. This aligns with the broader aim of the EECTA to curb fraud and money laundering in the corporate sector.

The new identity rules will affect both UK-based and foreign individuals operating a limited company in the UK. The affected individuals with the identity verification include;

•         Directors of UK companies
•         Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)
•         Members of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
•         Anyone filing information on behalf of the company (company secretaries, accountants, solicitors)
•         Overseas entities with a UK establishment

How many times does a multi-company director need to verify their identity?

The short answer is once. Identity verification is linked to an individual, meaning once a company director is verified, they don’t need to go through the whole process again.

Once a director is verified either directly with Companies House or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), they receive a unique code that will be used to log in when filing statutory documents.

The unique identifier will link the director to every company in which they hold directorship. No matter the number of companies one director manages, they will only need to complete the identity verification process once.

The practical workflow for a multi-company director includes:

Action	Frequency
Provide ID to Companies House/ACSP.	Once
Receive a “Verified Personal Account” / Unique ID.	Permanent
Link Unique ID to Company A, B, and C.	Per appointment
Update personal details (e.g., change of home address).	Once

Methods of identity verification

Individuals can use several methods to verify their identity, which include;

Directly with Companies House

One can verify directly with Companies House by using the GOV. UK ID One Login using an app or by answering security questions for those with digital documents. Those with UK ID documents or biometric evidence can go to a verified Post Office.

Using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

This is another indirect method to verify your identity with Companies House. An ACSP is a service provider authorised to verify individuals’ identity on behalf of Companies House. ACSPs will require;

•         Personal information (name, nationality, and date of birth)
•         Government-issued ID
•         Contact information (address and email)

Apart from identity verification, ACSPs will conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) checks to comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations. As a one-off process, ACSPs must be satisfied with the information individuals give them before submitting it to Companies House.

For new companies incorporated in the UK, identity verification has been mandatory since 18 November 2025. Existing directors and PSCs must verify their identity by spring 2026; however, they will not be able to file company documents without the unique code from Companies House.

What are the consequences of not verifying identity

Failure to verify the identity of company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) may lead to severe consequences, such as;

Legal offences & fines: Failing to verify is a criminal offence, potentially resulting in fines up to £5,000.

Company dissolution: Companies House may begin dissolving companies whose officers have not complied, causing the loss of company assets.

Rejected filings & lack of authority: Unverified individuals will have filings rejected and cannot officially act as directors, disrupting company operations.

Director disqualification: Continued failure can lead to criminal convictions and the director’s disqualification.

Reputational and financial damage: Non-compliance is public, affecting relationships with banks, lenders, and creditors.

Why it matters

Identity verification matters as it protects the integrity of the UK system. It also ensures the company operates seamlessly without any risks and disruptions.

Icon Offices will help you with a fast and secure verification process. With biometric documents, they can seamlessly verify company officials and submit information to Companies House. Once your company officials are verified, they will receive a unique code that will be used when logging in to the GOV.UK website to file company documents with Companies House.

For identity verification, contact us at [email protected].