From 18 November 2025, identity verification became a legal requirement for all UK company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs). The change was introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) and represents one of the most significant overhauls to Companies House in recent years. The aim is to improve the reliability of the companies register and reduce the use of UK corporate structures for fraud and economic crime.
If you are a director or PSC of a UK limited company and have not yet verified your identity, this post explains why it matters, exactly when you need to do it, and how to complete the process.
Why this has been introduced
Until 2025, anyone could incorporate a UK limited company or be appointed as a director using unverified personal information. Companies House had no mechanism to confirm that the individuals listed on the register were who they claimed to be. This made the UK register attractive to those looking to create fraudulent corporate identities. ECCTA gives Companies House substantially enhanced powers to verify information, investigate inaccuracies, and take action — including striking off companies — where requirements are not met.
Identity verification is one-time: once your identity is confirmed and you receive a personal code from Companies House, you use that same code for every company role you hold, now and in the future, without repeating the process.
Who needs to verify
- All company directors — whether newly appointed or already serving
- Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) — broadly, anyone owning more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or otherwise exercising significant influence or control
- LLP members — designated members of Limited Liability Partnerships
- Anyone filing at Companies House — from a future date, all filings must be submitted by a verified individual or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
Corporate directors are not yet within scope — the requirement currently covers individual directors only. A date for extending the requirement to corporate directors has not yet been confirmed.
When is your deadline?
The deadline depends on whether you were already in post when the regime launched on 18 November 2025.
| Your situation | Deadline |
|---|---|
| New director appointed on or after 18 November 2025 | Must verify before appointment is notified to Companies House |
| Existing director in post before 18 November 2025 | By the time your company files its next confirmation statement after 18 November 2025 — with a personal code included |
| New PSC appointed on or after 18 November 2025 | Within 14 days of appointment being notified to Companies House |
| Existing PSC who is also a director | Within 14 days of the company's next confirmation statement date after 18 November 2025 |
| Existing PSC who is not a director | Within the first 14 days of your birth month as shown on Companies House (e.g. if your birthday is in March, your 14-day window starts 1 March 2026) |
Important: the overall transition deadline is 18 November 2026, but many companies will have an earlier deadline tied to their specific confirmation statement filing date. If your confirmation statement is due in, say, September 2026, your directors must have verified before that filing — not by November. Treat 18 November 2026 as the latest possible date, not the target.
How to verify — step by step
The direct route — verifying yourself via Companies House — is the quickest and most straightforward option for most directors.
Direct verification via GOV.UK One Login (free)
- 1
Go to GOV.UK and create or sign in to a GOV.UK One Login account. Each person must use their own email address — one email address can only be associated with one verified identity.
- 2
Select the option to verify your identity for Companies House. You will need one of the following photo ID documents: a UK biometric passport, a UK photocard driving licence, a UK biometric residence permit, or a UK biometric residence card.
- 3
Use the GOV.UK ID Check app on your smartphone to scan your document and take a selfie. The app cross-checks these against the document chip.
- 4
If you do not have a compatible smartphone or suitable photo ID, alternative routes are available: answering security questions online (based on your financial and personal history), or attending a participating Post Office branch in person with your documents.
- 5
Once successfully verified, Companies House issues a unique personal code. This code is yours permanently — keep a note of it. You will need to provide it every time you file as a director or PSC.
What happens if you do not verify
Non-compliance is a criminal offence. The consequences escalate depending on how long verification is outstanding:
- You will be unable to file a confirmation statement, make director appointments, or make any other filing at Companies House
- Companies House will publish a note against your name on the public register indicating non-compliance
- You may face a civil financial penalty or criminal prosecution
- In serious or persistent cases, a company may be struck off the register
- Persistent breach of the identity verification requirements is grounds for director disqualification
For sole directors: if you are the only director and you fail to verify, your company effectively becomes unable to make any Companies House filing. This creates a compounding problem — the longer verification is delayed, the more filings become blocked, and the more difficult the situation becomes to resolve.
What to do now
If you have not yet verified, do it now — the process takes around 10 minutes online with a suitable document and smartphone. Do not wait until your confirmation statement is due. If you are unsure of your deadline, log in to Companies House WebFiling and check your confirmation statement due date, then count back: your directors need verified codes before that date, not on it.
Need help with your Companies House compliance?
We handle confirmation statement filings and Companies House compliance for small limited companies across the UK — get in touch to find out more.
Get in TouchThis article is for general information purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements under ECCTA continue to be phased in and may change. Always check current Companies House guidance at gov.uk/companieshouse for the latest position.