From 18 November 2025, all UK company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) are legally required to verify their identity with Companies House. This is one of the biggest changes to UK company law in decades — and if you don't comply, you could face fines, disqualification, or even have your company struck off the register.

The good news is that the process itself is straightforward. In this guide, we'll explain exactly what's changed, who needs to act, how to verify your identity, and the deadlines you need to be aware of.

The identity verification requirement was introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The aim is simple: to make sure that the people setting up, running, and controlling UK companies are who they say they are. Companies House estimates that 6 to 7 million individuals will need to verify their identity by mid-November 2026.

Until now, anyone could be appointed as a director without proving their identity to Companies House. That made it relatively easy for bad actors to set up shell companies using fake names — a loophole that was widely exploited for money laundering, fraud, and other economic crimes. The new rules close that loophole for good.

You need to verify your identity if you are any of the following:

A director of a UK limited company, a Person with Significant Control (PSC) — someone who owns more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or otherwise exercises significant influence over the company — or a member of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). This applies regardless of where you live. If you're a director of a UK company but based overseas, you still need to verify.

You must verify your identity before you can be formally appointed. No verification means no appointment — Companies House will not process it.

You have a 12-month transition period. You must verify your identity before filing your company's next confirmation statement, and no later than 18 November 2026. Your actual deadline depends on when your confirmation statement is due — check the Companies House register for your specific date.

Your 14-day verification window starts from your company's confirmation statement date.

Your 14-day verification window starts from the first day of your month of birth as recorded on the Companies House register. For example, if your date of birth is shown as March 1990, your window starts on 1 March 2026.

There are two routes to verification:

This is the fastest and simplest method for most people. You'll need a valid UK passport or UK driving licence, your current address and the year you moved in, and a GOV.UK One Login account.

There are three ways to complete the verification through One Login. The fastest uses the GOV.UK ID Document Checking App on your smartphone — average completion time is just 2.4 minutes. You can also answer security questions online about your financial history (bank accounts, credit cards, loans). Alternatively, you can verify in person at a Post Office branch that offers the service.

If you don't have a valid passport or driving licence, or if you'd prefer someone else to handle it, you can verify through an ACSP. Many accountancy firms and company formation agents are registered as ACSPs and can process the verification on your behalf. Your accountant may already be set up to do this — it's worth asking.

Once you've successfully verified your identity, Companies House will issue you a personal code. This is a unique identifier that you'll need to provide when filing certain documents, including your company's confirmation statement and any future appointment forms.

Keep this code safe. You'll need it for all Companies House filings going forward, and if you use an accountant to file on your behalf, you'll need to share it with them.

Companies House has made clear that its enforcement strategy will be proportionate but firm. The consequences escalate over time:

First, you won't be able to file statutory documents — including your confirmation statement. Failure to file a confirmation statement is a criminal offence in its own right, carrying fines of up to £5,000. Persistent non-compliance can lead to director disqualification and Companies House may strike the company off the register entirely. In serious cases, information may be shared with law enforcement agencies.