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New Companies House ID Verification Requirements: What You Need to Know

From 18 November 2025, company directors and persons with significant control will be required to verify their identity with Companies House. The changes are designed to reduce fraud and improve the transparency and accuracy of information on the Companies House register.

Companies House estimates that 6 to 7 million individuals will be affected, so the measures are being phased in over a 12 month period. The deadlines can be confusing, so it’s important that directors and owner-managers understand when they must carry out their ID verification.

Who needs to verify

The following individuals will need to verify their identity:

  • New and existing directors
  • New and existing individual members of a limited liability partnership (but not limited partnerships)
  • New and existing persons with significant control

A person with significant control (PSC) is generally someone who owns or controls the company.

The process of verification is personal to the individual, so the identification itself should only need to be carried out once in most cases.

Once an individual has verified themselves, they will receive a personal code from Companies House  which can be provided to every company where they are a director or PSC, and every limited liability partnership that they are a member of.

When is verification required?

New directors

The new ID verification requirements will apply to any new directors from 18 November 2025. This means an individual being appointed as a director to an existing company on or after that date - or anyone who is intending to be a director of a newly incorporated company - will need to verify their identity before the appointment can be made.

Existing directors

For existing directors (i.e. directors appointed before 18 November 2025) the position is more complex, as the requirements are being phased in over a 12 month period.

Existing directors will need to verify their identity prior to the date of the company’s next confirmation statement due after 18 November.

For example, if the company has a confirmation statement due on 20 October 2025, the requirements will apply from the next statement, due on 20 October 2026. If an individual is a director of more than one company, they will need to check the dates for each company.

PSCs

There are a range of possible deadlines for PSCs.

An individual who becomes a PSC after 18 November 2025 must verify their entity and provide their personal code within 14 days of being added to the register of PSCs.

Existing PSCs have a different set of deadlines, depending on whether or not they are also a director of the company.

Where someone is both a PSC and a director – which will be common in many owner-managed businesses – they will need to provide their code twice. Once in their capacity as director via the company’s confirmation statement and once via a separate service within 14 days of the company’s confirmation statement date.

If someone is a PSC but not a director, then their personal code must be provided within 14 days from the start of their birth month. So a PSC born on 22 January 1954, will need to provide their code within 14 days of 1 January.

How to verify

Individuals can verify themselves online by creating a GOV.UK One Login. For most people, provided they have a up to date biometric passport or a UK photo driving licence, and access to a smart phone able to download the GOV.UK ID Check app, this should be a simple process.

Individuals must start their application online, but those who cannot complete the verification steps online can complete the process in person at a Post Office. Alternatively, verification can be completed by providing bank or building society details, National Insurance number and answering some security questions.

Finally, an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, such as an accountant or solicitor may also be able to assist with verification for a fee. Please bear in mind that there may be tax and National Insurance implications to consider if the company pays for the cost of assistance with the ID verification process. Guidance on verification can be found on Companies House.

Non-compliance

Where directors and PSCs do not comply with the new requirements it will not be possible to make any filings for an existing company or incorporate a new company or entity.

It will be an offence to act as a director without being verified once director duties commence. It will also be an offence to be a PSC without being verified.

Existing directors should therefore verify their identity ahead of their company’s next confirmation statement. The verification system has been open since April 2025, so individuals can verify voluntarily, in advance of the relevant deadlines to be sure they have completed the necessary requirements.   

 

This article reflects the position at the date of publication shown above. If you are reading this at a later date you are advised to check that that position has not changed in the time since.  

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