GOV.UK One Login for Companies House Identity Verification

If you’re involved in running a UK company, you’ve likely used Companies House services to manage your company filings. But starting in October 2025, the way you access those services is changing significantly. You might be wondering, what exactly is changing? How will this affect your ability to file documents or update company details? And what’s the deal with this new “gov.uk one login” system?

This article explains everything you need to know about the upcoming switch to GOV.UK One Login for Companies House access and why it’s linked to new identity verification rules coming into force in November 2025. Whether you’re a director, a person with significant control (PSC), or just someone who files on a company’s behalf, understanding these changes will help you prepare and avoid any last-minute surprises.

Why the Change? Setting the Scene

For years, Companies House web-filing has required separate logins, often with different credentials and levels of security. This made managing access complicated, especially if your company has multiple people submitting filings or updating company details.

The UK Government has introduced the GOV.UK One Login system as a unified, more secure way of accessing many government services with a single login. For Companies House, this means from 13 October 2025, you must use GOV.UK One Login to sign in and access your WebFiling account.

But it’s not simply about convenience. This change is part of a wider effort under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) to crack down on fraud and improve corporate transparency. Alongside the login change, identity verification is becoming mandatory for company directors and PSCs from 18 November 2025.

What Exactly Is GOV.UK One Login?

Think of GOV.UK One Login as your passport to many government digital services. Instead of juggling different usernames and passwords for departments like HMRC, DVLA, and now Companies House, you’ll have one set of credentials. This system features enhanced security, including two-factor authentication and built-in identity verification to prove you are who you say you are.

The identity verification aspect is critical because it helps protect company data by making it much harder for criminals to impersonate company directors or owners online.

How Will This Affect You?

Starting 13 October 2025, if you try to log in to Companies House WebFiling the old way, you’ll be redirected to connect your account to GOV.UK One Login. This connection process requires some preparation:

You’ll need an email address linked to your Companies House WebFiling account. Make sure it’s current and accessible.
If your company shares a WebFiling account among multiple users, only one person can connect it to their GOV.UK One Login. Others will have to create their own login with unique email addresses.
To link your accounts, you may need the company’s authentication code handy.
After this, your filings, updates, and confirmations will all happen through the GOV.UK One Login system.

For directors and PSCs, there’s an additional step. From 18 November 2025, you will need to verify your identity using GOV.UK One Login to comply legally with Companies House requirements. This means confirming your identity once, which will then be linked to your director or PSC records.

What Does Identity Verification Involve?

If this sounds daunting, the good news is the verification process is designed to be quick and user-friendly. When you verify your identity, you’ll receive a unique personal code from Companies House. This code is your personal identifier—not linked to any specific company but used whenever you file or confirm details related to any UK company where you hold a relevant role.

You can carry out identity verification directly on the GOV.UK platform, which checks certain personal information securely. Many find the process takes only a few minutes, and once done, you won’t have to repeat it unless you lose your code or your circumstances change.

Importantly, your verified identity helps safeguard against fraud by making it harder for impostors to file false information in your name or control your company’s filings without your permission.

Transition Period and Deadlines

While the switch to GOV.UK One Login becomes mandatory on 13 October 2025, the identity verification requirement is phased in:

New directors must verify from the moment they join a company, starting 18 November 2025.
Existing directors and PSCs have a 12-month transition to verify, usually when filing their next confirmation statement.
The phased approach gives you time to plan and complete the verification without last-minute rushes.

Sterling&Wells can support you in navigating these changes, whether you need advice on setting up your new login, help with identity verification, or managing company filings smoothly in this new environment.

Why This Matters Beyond Compliance

You might think of these updates as just bureaucratic hurdles, but they actually serve a bigger purpose. By making it harder for fraudsters to manipulate company data, the UK is boosting trust in its business environment. Better identity verification means cleaner, more accurate company information, which benefits everyone—from lenders and suppliers to customers and investors.

For you, this means greater protection from identity theft and fraud attempts, and more confidence that your company details are safe and accurate in the official register.

Preparing for the Change: What You Can Do Now

Don’t wait until the deadline draws near. Here’s how to get ahead:

Start by checking your current WebFiling account email addresses and update them if necessary. If you’re sharing logins with colleagues or advisers, make sure everyone knows they will need their own GOV.UK One Login by October.
Set up your GOV.UK One Login account if you haven’t already, using the same email linked to your Companies House profile. This will speed up the connection process.
Think about who within your company or advisory team will take responsibility for connecting accounts and managing filings through the new system.

Begin identity verification early if you are a director or PSC. Although mandatory from November, verifying sooner gives you peace of mind.

Looking Ahead

The move to GOV.UK One Login and mandatory identity verification marks a big step toward modernising company regulation in the UK. It aligns well with wider government goals to improve digital access, enhance security, and reduce fraud. While it requires some effort upfront, the benefits promise to be significant for all company stakeholders.

If you have questions or want to understand how Sterling&Wells can support you specifically with these changes, please reach out. We are ready to help you navigate this transition seamlessly.