Director and PSC Identity Verification (IDV) for UK Companies

Chris Oatts — Head of Data and Product Strategy

What is Director and PSC identity verification by Company Watch?

Company Watch has introduced new Director and PSC Identity Verification (IDV) visibility within its online platform, helping customers monitor the verification status of company Directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) using data from Companies House.

The enhancement supports the implementation of key requirements introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) 2023.

ECCTA Identity Verification: Deadlines, requirements and current adoption rates

What is the ECCTA identity verification deadline?

Under the ECCTA 2023, company Directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) have until November 2026 to complete identity verification. This falls within the Companies House transition period, after which verified status will be required for confirmation statement filings.

Company officers and PSCs must verify their identity through an approved route, including Gov.uk, the Post Office, or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

Currently, verification adoption across the UK remains relatively low. As of early March 2026:

• 14% of Director appointments have completed verification
• 11% of PSC appointments have completed verification

This means many companies will soon need to manage verification activity ahead of upcoming filing deadlines.

New Director verification indicators in the Company Watch platform

The latest platform update introduces IDV indicators directly within company officer and PSC records. The update introduces:

• Visual indicators showing whether identity verification has been completed
• Status alerts highlighting individuals who are due or overdue for verification
• Hover details showing verification confirmation, completion date, and ACSP information where applicable

This allows users to quickly identify individuals who have not yet verified their identity and take appropriate action before the next Confirmation Statement filing.

Built to support the Companies House transition period

The functionality has been introduced to support the Companies House identity verification transition period, expected to run until November 2026. During this time, verification status will gradually become universal across UK company officers. By providing early visibility within its platform, Company Watch aims to help customers stay ahead of evolving compliance requirements and reduce the risk of filing issues.

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