Trustee Identity Verification Form (Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee)

This template form is completed by new and existing directors (trustees) of a charitable company limited by guarantee (CCLBG) to confirm their identity verification (IDV) information, as required under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA).

When identity verification applies

Identity verification requirements now apply to all new and existing directors (charity trustees) of CCLBGs, among others. The requirements became mandatory for new directors (trustees) on 18 November 2025. Existing directors (trustees) must have verified their identity (directly with Companies House or through an authorised agent) by the time the CCLBG delivers its next confirmation statement after 18 November 2025 (or, if that statement is late, by the end of the period allowed for delivering it; for a CCLBG that was already late with a confirmation statement on 18 November 2025, by 2 December 2025 at the latest); a director who has not verified by then must not act as a director until they do.

Directors (trustees) who act as directors without having verified their identity when required will commit a criminal offence and/or incur a civil penalty. A CCLBG that fails to ensure that an unverified director (trustee) does not act will also commit an offence. Verification can be carried out directly with Companies House (using GOV.UK One Login) or through an authorised agent, and was voluntary from 8 April 2025 before becoming mandatory from 18 November 2025.

The ECCTA gives Companies House new and enhanced powers to help disrupt economic crime, and the IDV regime is a key part of this.

Using this form

Given the significance of this change, CCLBGs should get into the habit of verifying the identity of each of their directors (trustees), whether new or existing, as part of their own internal processes and to support Companies House's IDV requirements.

This form should be completed and returned to the CCLBG by each new and existing director (trustee), together with a copy of their relevant biometric photographic ID. All information received should be held and processed in compliance with UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

The CCLBG will need to identify a lawful basis for processing this personal data and ensure it can be justified. Complying with a legal obligation will satisfy this. More information is available on the ICO's website here.

Further guidance

We also have a letter explaining the identity verification regime and its timeline to directors (trustees). This can be accessed here.

Companies House guidance on the IDV process is available here.

Trustee Identity Verification Form (Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee) is part of Charity. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Charity for 1 year.