Compulsory identity verification for company directors, People with Significant Control (PSCs), and anyone filing on their behalf
What the New Companies House Identity Verification Regime Means for You
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), Companies House is in increasing its regulatory and enforcement powers as part of a process to dramatically improve the quality of information on the register. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of compulsory identity verification for company directors, People with Significant Control (PSCs), and anyone filing on their behalf.
This article looks at the what the new Companies House ID regime means for you.
What’s Changing with ID verification?
Voluntary identity verification for Directors & PSCs became available from 8 April 2025, allowing individuals to verify via GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Compulsory verification will start from 18 November 2025 for new incorporations and appointments, and confirmation statements filed after this date, triggering a 12‑month transition window for existing directors to comply by autumn 2026.
By spring 2026, only verified individuals—or registered ACSPs—will be permitted to file documents at Companies House
Every PSC has a 14-day period during which they must submit a statement confirming they have verified their identity, along with their Companies House personal code.
If they are registered as a PSC after 18 November 2025, their 14-day period starts from the date they register with Companies House.
If they are already a PSC on 18 November 2025, their 14-day period starts from the company’s confirmation statement date - if they are also a director of the company.
If they are not a director of the company, their 14-day period starts from the first day of their month of birth, as it is shown on the Companies House register. For example, if the date of birth is shown on the register as March 1990, the 14-day period will start on 1 March 2026.
Identity verification requirements for limited partnerships, corporate directors of companies, corporate members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and officers of corporate PSCs will commence later.
What do you need to do next?
The most straightforward way to verify your identity as a Director or PSC is to use the GOV.UK website using photo ID and a mobile phone with a working camera. This service uses GOV.UK One Login to verify your identity and it is free of charge. You must provide answers about yourself, not your company.
The link is here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verifying-your-identity-for-companies-house
If you do not have photographic ID (passport or driving licence for example) and/or a mobile phone, GOV.UK One Login will ask you some simple questions to find the best way for you to verify your identity. Depending on your answers, you’ll then be guided to verify:
by answering security questions online
by entering your details from your photo ID on GOV.UK One Login first, then going to a participating Post Office to be identified. They will scan your photo ID and take a photo of you. You’ll get an email about the result of your identity check - usually within a day of going to the Post Office.
After Identity Verification - Companies House Personal Code
In most cases, you will only need to verify your identity once. Once you have successfully verified your identity you will receive a personal code from Companies House. From 18 November 2025, you will need to provide your personal code and a verification statement confirming you have successfully verified your identity for each company role you hold.
What you need to do with your Companies House personal code
This depends on your role, and when you started that role.
If you’re a director or PSC, you’ll need to use your Companies House personal code to connect your verified identity to your Companies House records for each role you hold. This is part of the legal requirement to verify your identity for Companies House.
Directors
If you’re currently a director, you’ll need to provide your personal code in your company’s next confirmation statement filing from 18 November 2025.
If you become a director after 18 November 2025, you’ll need to provide it as part of your appointment filing or when you incorporate a company.
People with significant control (PSCs)
You’ll need to provide your personal code to Companies House for your role as a PSC. There will be an online service to do this when the requirement comes into force on 18 November 2025.
Every PSC will have a 14 day period during which they must provide their personal code.
The dates of your 14 day period depend on whether:
you are registered with Companies House before 18 November 2025
you’re also a director of this company
Further guidance is available here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/when-you-need-to-verify-your-identity-for-companies-house