From 18 November 2025, Companies House will require identity verification (IDV) for all directors, people with significant control (PSCs), and relevant individuals. These checks can be completed by the individual, but you can complete them for the client by registering as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Firmcheck provides flexible, future-proof solutions to help your firm stay compliant with these new requirements, with minimal disruption to your clients and existing AML workflows.
ID Verification Methods in Firmcheck
There are two ways to complete ID verification through Firmcheck:
Using identification document validation technology (IDVT)
Using a trained person to manually verify documents
1. Verifying Using Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT)
Firmcheck provides built-in IDVT options to verify individuals securely and efficiently. You can choose from:
✅ Advanced ID Check/Biometric check
This process includes:
Recording unique email addresses for each individual.
Sending an email request for the individual to upload a photo of their identity document.
Using OCR technology to read key details (name, date of birth, country, document number, expiry date).Running an authenticity check on the document.
Cross-referencing the individual’s data against trusted third-party databases (name, date of birth, and provided address checked against UK data sources).Capturing a live selfie for biometric face-matching with the uploaded identity document.
🔐 Cryptographic ID Check
Once a passport has been provided, Firmcheck’s Cryptographic ID Check takes verification further:
The individual receives an email to download Firmcheck’s ID Verification mobile app.
They scan the RFID chip in their passport, allowing Firmcheck to verify the cryptographic elements, a Companies House requirement for ID verification.
2. Verifying Using a Trained Person
If your firm prefers to verify documents manually, or your client doesn’t have a machine-readable passport:
Issue an advanced ID check on your client,
And ensure your firm has trained an individual on identifying fraudulent documents (following the Home Office best practice guide) who can review and validate identity documents.
Firmcheck provides tools to securely store identity documents, along with notes and details about the verification process.
Additional Requirements and Compliance Support
Firmcheck integrates directly with Companies House to ensure all relevant individuals, directors and PSCs, are automatically pulled into your platform to start the verification process.
To support ongoing compliance:
Firmcheck securely stores all documents and verification records, even for archived clients, for at least 7 years, meeting legal retention requirements.
Our team closely follows all Companies House updates to ensure your firm continues to meet evolving verification standards.