Do not leave verification until the last minute
Identity verification should be part of the formation project plan, not an unexplained request forwarded when someone is about to travel. Identify the people involved, establish who will guide them, and make sure each person understands the official process.
Companies House says identity verification became a legal requirement from 18 November 2025, with a transition period for directors and people with significant control to meet their applicable due dates (Companies House). That date is not a single deadline for every person in every situation.
Ask the formation adviser to confirm the requirements and timing for the individuals involved in your proposed company. Do not assume that someone else's recent experience applies unchanged.
Use an appropriate verification route
Companies House describes verification through GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, such as an accountant or solicitor (Companies House). Confirm which route each person will use and who will resolve a problem if the process cannot be completed as expected.
Keep sensitive identity evidence out of general project email chains. As an internal security practice, use the official or agreed secure process and limit access to people who need it. Avoid collecting extra copies simply because several advisers are involved.
Separate personal verification from company decisions
Identity verification does not answer the commercial questions the founders need to settle. Agree the ownership, responsibilities, business activity, and decision-making arrangements alongside the verification work.
Build a project checklist with named owners:
- People: Who must complete the applicable verification process?
- Company information: Who checks the final names, addresses, roles, and ownership details?
- Submission: Who is responsible for preparing and reviewing the formation application?
- Records: Where will final documents and relevant completion evidence be kept?
- Ongoing administration: Who will confirm the company's future obligations and manage changes?
Ask for a written deliverables list from the formation provider. Distinguish registration from continuing administration, accounting, tax support, and any introductions to other services.
Make the company ready to operate
Before closing the project, run a handover meeting with the people who will manage the business. Review final documents, open questions, official correspondence, and the next required actions.
Treat financial-account applications and any activity-specific permissions as separate reviews. The internal objective is a clear sequence: accurate information, completed applicable steps, reliable records, and an operating team that knows what comes next.
General educational information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm current requirements with an appropriately qualified adviser.