Companies House Identity Verification in 2025–26: The Complete Guide for Directors and PSCs (Deadlines, Personal Code, How-to, Costs, and FAQs)
Updated 17.09.2025
The UK’s corporate register is about to undergo its most significant transformation in decades. From 18 November 2025, the way companies interact with Companies House will fundamentally change. Directors, Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) and other key roles will face a new legal requirement: to prove they are who they say they are.
This reform is not an isolated procedural update. It is part of a broader drive under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to strengthen the integrity of the Companies House register, close loopholes exploited by fraudsters, and bring greater transparency to UK corporate life. For millions of business owners, company officers, and professional advisers, understanding this change—and acting early—will be critical to keeping filings on track, avoiding penalties, and maintaining compliance.
The following guide sets out everything you need to know about the identity verification regime, from deadlines and processes to the newly introduced personal code, verification routes, overseas considerations, and what happens if you miss the deadline.
Table of Contents
What’s changing and why identity verification matters
For years, incorporating a company in the UK or becoming a company director was a straightforward administrative process. While this efficiency was praised by entrepreneurs, it also made the system vulnerable to abuse. Fraudulent incorporations, fictitious director appointments, and opaque ownership structures have been persistent concerns.
From 18 November 2025, the landscape shifts. Anyone taking up a directorship, becoming a PSC, or holding certain other company roles will need to have their identity verified. This applies to new appointments immediately, and to existing individuals within a defined transition period.
The goal is clear: to ensure that every name on the register corresponds to a real, verified individual, making it far harder for illicit actors to operate behind false identities.
Who must verify (directors, PSCs, LLP members and others)
The initial scope covers:
Company Directors – All directors of UK-registered companies, whether based in the UK or abroad.
Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) – Individuals who ultimately own or control more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercise significant influence over the company.
Members of Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) – Equivalent to directors in a company context.
Future phases will extend the requirement to other roles, including corporate directors, officers of corporate PSCs, and partners in limited partnerships.
Key dates and the transition year: 18 November 2025 → mid-November 2026
The critical start date is 18 November 2025.
From that date:
New directors and PSCs must be verified before their appointment or registration can take effect.
Existing directors and PSCs begin a 12-month transition period during which they must verify and link their verified identity to each relevant role.
Verification becomes an essential prerequisite for certain filings, particularly the annual confirmation statement.
Deadlines by Role: At-a-Glance Table
Deadlines by role and scenario (with examples)
| Role | When to Verify | Requirement From 18 Nov 2025 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Existing director | Before the company’s next confirmation statement due after 18 Nov 2025 | Provide personal code + verification statement in the confirmation statement | Must repeat for each directorship |
| New director | Before appointment or incorporation | Personal code provided at appointment/incorporation | Applies to all appointments after 18 Nov 2025 |
| Existing PSC who is also a director | As a director: by confirmation statement; as PSC: within 14 days after that statement | Personal code for both roles | Two linked deadlines |
| Existing PSC, not a director | Within the first 14 days of their birth month (as recorded at Companies House) | Provide PSC personal code | Check register for correct birth month |
| New PSC | Before PSC registration | PSC personal code supplied at registration | From 18 Nov 2025 onwards |
The Companies House Personal Code Explained
Verification is not a one-off tied to a single company. Once your identity is verified, Companies House issues a unique personal code. This code:
Is linked to you as an individual, not to a specific role or company.
Must be kept secure.
Is reused each time you are appointed to a new role that requires verification.
Is required alongside a verification statement in certain filings.
If you verify via GOV.UK One Login, you can view your personal code in your Companies House account. If you use an ACSP, it will be sent to you—typically by secure email.
How to Verify Your Identity
There are two official routes to verify your identity.
A) GOV.UK One Login
Process: Sign in or create a GOV.UK One Login, follow the on-screen steps, and submit your identification documents.
Advantages: Free, direct, and generally quick for those with the right documents.
Requirements: A supported form of photo ID (see Section 7).
B) Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
Process: Engage an accountant, solicitor, or other regulated agent who is authorised by Companies House to carry out identity verification.
Advantages: Ideal for those who encounter technical issues, prefer a managed service, or have multiple officers to process.
Requirements: Provide your chosen ACSP with documents from the approved list; they will complete the verification for you.
Fees: ACSPs may charge for their service—rates vary.
What You’ll Need to Complete Verification
For GOV.UK One Login verification, typical requirements include:
A biometric passport from any country
UK photocard driving licence
UK biometric residence permit or card
Frontier Worker permit
Current residential address and the year you moved in
Access to a compatible device with camera capabilities for liveness checks
Linking Verification to Confirmation Statements and Incorporations
From 18 November 2025:
Confirmation Statements (CS01): Cannot be filed unless all directors are verified and their personal codes are included with verification statements.
Incorporations and Appointments: New directors and PSCs must have verified before their details can be accepted onto the register.
PSCs: Must link their verified identity to their PSC role within the specific deadline window.
Overseas Directors and PSCs
The GOV.UK One Login route supports biometric passports from any country, making it accessible to overseas officers. However, factors such as internet reliability, camera quality, and document compatibility can affect the process. For complex international boards, using an ACSP can help ensure smooth compliance.
Costs, Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Delays
Costs:
GOV.UK One Login verification is free.
ACSP services are chargeable, with fees set by the provider.
Common Pitfalls:
Date of Birth Mismatch – Ensure your Companies House record matches your ID exactly.
Late Action – Avoid bottlenecks by verifying well before your deadline.
Multiple Roles – Remember to link your personal code to each directorship and PSC role.
Lost Personal Code – Store it securely.
Technical Failures – Retry under better conditions or use an ACSP if time-critical.
Penalties and Enforcement
Failure to verify can block critical filings, which in turn can trigger late-filing penalties, reputational damage, and—in serious cases—director disqualification. Companies House will have enhanced powers to challenge and reject filings where verification requirements are unmet.
Step-by-Step Checklists
For Existing Directors:
Check your next confirmation statement date.
Verify early via GOV.UK One Login or an ACSP.
Secure your personal code.
Confirm your registered details are correct.
Include your code and verification statement in your next confirmation statement.
For New Directors:
Verify before appointment.
Provide your personal code at incorporation or appointment.
For PSCs (also Directors):
Provide your director personal code with the confirmation statement.
Provide your PSC personal code within 14 days.
For PSCs (not Directors):
Provide your PSC personal code within the first 14 days of your recorded birth month.
Is verification mandatory? Yes, from 18 November 2025.
Do I verify once or per company? Once, but you must link the personal code to each role.
What ID is accepted? Biometric passport, UK driving licence, biometric residence permit, Frontier Worker permit.
Can my accountant verify for me? Yes, if they are an ACSP.
What if I don’t verify? Filings will be blocked and enforcement action may follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Glossary of Key Terms
ACSP – Authorised Corporate Service Provider.
Confirmation Statement (CS01) – Annual company filing confirming details.
ECCTA 2023 – Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
GOV.UK One Login – Government sign-in and verification platform.
Personal Code – Unique identifier issued after verification.
PSC – Person with Significant Control.
Action Plan
With more than six million individuals expected to complete identity verification in the first year, starting early is the most effective way to avoid last-minute pressures.
Mark your deadline based on your confirmation statement or PSC window.
Verify early via GOV.UK One Login if possible.
Keep your personal code secure and link it to each role you hold.
Review your Companies House records now to ensure there are no discrepancies.
This change is as much about building trust in the UK’s corporate framework as it is about compliance. Directors and PSCs who act promptly will protect their ability to operate smoothly in the new regulatory environment.
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