Understanding the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023: What It Means for You

You may have recently received a message from Companies House about the next stage of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. If so, there’s no need to worry — this is part of a planned rollout designed to make company ownership and control in the UK more transparent.

At the dt group, we want to make sure you understand what’s changing, when it’s happening, and what you need to do to stay compliant.

What’s changing and why

From Autumn 2025, Companies House will begin requiring all directors, persons with significant control (PSCs), and LLP partners to verify their identity.

This is being introduced to strengthen the integrity of the UK business register and reduce the risk of financial crime. The good news? If you hold multiple directorships or LLP appointments, you’ll only need to verify your identity once.

Key dates to keep in mind

Although there’s expected to be a 12-month transition period for existing businesses, early adoption is strongly recommended to avoid delays or compliance issues later on.

How to verify your identity

There are three ways to complete the verification process:

1. Online via GOV.UK – The simplest and fastest method, especially if you have a biometric passport (issued after 2006) from any country.

2. In person at your local Post Office – Available to UK residents only.

3. Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – Accountants or solicitors can register to provide this service if they wish.

While the dt group will not be registering as an ACSP, we made this decision because the government’s free online and in-person verification routes are accessible to everyone — meaning there’s no need to pay for this service elsewhere.

Importantly, we will continue to file documents and submissions on your behalf as we always have. There’s no change to our current services.

Once verified

Once your identity has been verified, you’ll receive a unique verification code from Companies House.
Keep this safe — you’ll need it:

• When filing future confirmation statements.

• For any future appointments as a director or PSC.

We’ll need your code the next time we file a confirmation statement on your behalf, so please ensure it’s stored securely.

If you have any questions about what this means for your business, or how to prepare, contact your dt group portfolio manager. We’re here to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Further resources

You can find the latest official guidance from Companies House here.