Companies House identity verification: what you need to do

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Companies House identity verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025
if you’re a limited company director or person with significant control (PSC), you must prove who you are
once you verify your identity, you’ll receive a personal code
existing directors have a 12-month transition period, and most people can verify online with their GOV.UK One Login

Big changes have landed at Companies House, and they affect millions of UK business owners. Since 18 November 2025, identity verification is no longer optional – it’s the law. So if you run a limited company or hold significant control over one, you’ll need to prove who you are.

The good news? The process is fairly simple, and you’ve got time to get it sorted. But the timing of when you need to verify depends on your role and your circumstances, which can get a little confusing.

What is Companies House identity verification?
When did it become mandatory?
Who needs to verify their identity?
When do you need to verify your identity?
How to verify your identity

What happens if you don’t verify your identity?
Other important changes you need to know
Your next steps
Companies House verification FAQs

What is Companies House identity verification?

Companies House identity verification is the process of checking that company directors and people with significant control are who they say they are. Most people verify online, but you can also verify at a Post Office if you can’t use the online service.

The change forms part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The aim is to give more visibility over who sets up and controls companies in the UK – and to reduce the risk of fraud and financial crime.

Companies House also now acts as the official record of directors, secretaries, and PSCs. That means you no longer need to keep your own internal registers for these roles.

When did Companies House identity verification become mandatory?

Companies House launched voluntary identity verification on 8 April 2025. It then became mandatory on 18 November 2025.

Existing directors and PSCs have a 12-month transition period to comply, running from November 2025 to November 2026. Companies House chose this phased approach to reduce the pressure on businesses, so you don’t have to rush to meet a single deadline.

Even so, it’s a good idea to get everything set up as soon as you can. That way, you avoid any last-minute stress.

Who needs to verify their identity with Companies House?

You need to verify your identity if you’re a:

limited company director (or equivalent)
person with significant control (PSC)
authorised corporate service provider (ACSP)

If you’re setting up a new limited company, this also applies to you from the start.

Companies House plans to introduce identity verification at a later date for other roles too. These include people who file at Companies House, limited partnerships, corporate directors of companies, corporate members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and officers of corporate PSCs.

When do you need to verify your identity?

This is where it pays to know your exact role. The deadline for verifying depends on whether you’re a director, a PSC, or both – and when you took on that role. Here’s how it breaks down.

If you’re a director (or equivalent)

You’ll need to provide your Companies House personal code as part of your company’s next confirmation statement. If you’re a director of more than one company, you’ll need to do this for each one.

Registering a new company? You’ll be asked to provide a personal code for each director as part of the registration filing.

If you run an overseas company, you must confirm that all directors have verified their identity by the anniversary of your UK establishment’s registration.

If you’re a person with significant control (PSC)

PSCs must verify their identity and provide their Companies House personal code within a 14-day period. When that period falls depends on your situation. You can check your dates on the Companies House register.

There are a few scenarios to be aware of:

if you’re both a director and a PSC of the same company – you’ll need to provide your personal code separately for each role. For your director role, you provide the code in the confirmation statement. For your PSC role, you use the ‘Provide identity verification details for a PSC’ service within 14 days, starting the day after the company’s confirmation statement date. If the company files early, your 14-day period doesn’t change
if you’re a PSC but not a director of the same company – you must provide your personal code within the first 14 days of your birth month. So if your birthday is 22 January, your 14-day period starts on 1 January
if you became a PSC after 18 November 2025 – you can provide your personal code when you’re first added to the register, or within 14 days of being added

If you’re an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP)

ACSPs are also known as Companies House authorised agents. These are usually accountants, solicitors, or company formation agents.

You’ll need to verify your identity if you want to register as an authorised agent. Once registered, you can verify your clients’ identities on their behalf. In the future, businesses will need to register as an authorised agent to file on behalf of clients.

How to verify your identity with Companies House

There are two main ways to verify your identity:

Directly with Companies House – sign in or create a login with your GOV.UK One Login. If you can’t verify online, you can do it in person at a Post Office.
Through an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP) – such as your company accountant.

Companies House CEO Louise Smyth CBE said: “Identity verification will play a key role in improving the quality and reliability of our data and tackling misuse of the companies register.

“To reduce the burden on business, the identity verification requirement for existing directors will be integrated into the annual confirmation statement update process.”

Valid types of ID

You’ll need photo ID to prove your identity. This can be one of the following:

biometric passport from any country
UK photo driving licence (full or provisional)
UK biometric residence permit (BRP)

UK biometric residence card (BRC)
UK frontier worker permit (FWP)

You’ll also need your current address and the year you moved in.

What happens if you don’t verify your identity?

Verifying your identity is a legal requirement. If you don’t do it, you’ll be committing an offence – which could lead to a penalty or fine.

You also won’t be able to file accounts for your business or start a new company. So it really does pay to get this sorted in good time.

Other important changes you need to know

Identity verification isn’t the only change affecting limited companies. Here are some other updates to keep on your radar:

companies no longer need to keep internal registers of directors (and their addresses), secretaries, and people with significant control. Instead, you need register this information with Companies House and keep it updated
PO Boxes are no longer allowed for your registered office – you’ll need a real UK postal address
your company needs a registered email address
Companies House fees increased on 1 February 2026
limited partnerships will need to file through authorised corporate service providers from spring 2026
accounts must be filed using commercial software by 1 April 2027 – web and paper filing will no longer be possible

You can find out more about all the changes on the UK government website.

Your next steps

The shift to mandatory identity verification is one of the biggest changes Companies House has made in years. But for most business owners, it’s a straightforward task – especially if you verify online with your GOV.UK One Login.

The key is to know your role and your deadline. Directors verify through the next confirmation statement, while PSCs work to a 14-day window that depends on their circumstances. If you’re unsure, check your dates on the Companies House register or speak to your accountant.

Don’t leave it to the last minute. Getting verified early means one less thing to worry about – and it keeps your business firmly on the right side of the law.

This article is intended as a guide. Check Companies House guidance if you’re unsure about anything.

Companies House verification FAQs

What is a Companies House personal code?

Your Companies House personal code is a unique code you receive once you’ve verified your identity. You use it to link your verified identity to your roles – such as when filing a confirmation statement as a director or verifying details as a PSC.

Do sole traders have to verify their identity with Companies House?

No, sole traders use a different business structure and aren’t registered with Companies House, so this change doesn’t affect them. But if a sole trader switches to a limited company structure, the ID verification process will apply.

How long does Companies House identity verification take?

If you verify online through your GOV.UK One Login, the process is quick and can usually be done in one sitting. You’ll just need valid photo ID, your current address, and the year you moved in. Verifying at a Post Office is an option if you can’t use the online service.

Can my accountant verify my identity for me?

Yes, you can verify through an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP), such as your accountant, as long as they’re registered as a Companies House authorised agent. This can be a handy option if you’d rather not handle the process yourself.

What’s the deadline for existing directors to verify?

Existing directors have a 12-month transition period running from November 2025 to November 2026. In practice, you’ll verify as part of your company’s next confirmation statement, so your exact timing depends on when that’s due.

More guides for company directors

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