From 18 November 2025, verifying identity with Companies House will become a new legal requirement for all UK company directors and people with significant control (PSCs). This change, introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, aims to improve corporate transparency and prevent UK companies from being used for fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes.
This is not a routine compliance step for directors and business owners. It represents a major change in UK company regulation. Verified identity will now be required when filing a confirmation statement or registering a new company. Without verification, filings may be rejected and penalties may be imposed. In serious or repeated non-compliance cases, Companies House can strike a company off the register, effectively dissolving it.
At The Infinity Group, we see this reform as an opportunity for businesses to enhance transparency, strengthen governance, and build trust. Preparation should begin early, ensuring that identity verification is completed well in advance rather than left until the last moment, as delays could prove costly.
Why the Government Is Introducing Identity Verification
The UK is known for having a fast and simple system of setting up companies. While this has encouraged growth and new business, it has also left gaps that have been used for illegitimate purposes. Examples include:
- Fake companies set up for money laundering.
- False directors registered with fake details.
- Company structures designed to hide true ownership.
To deal with these risks, the government has introduced compulsory identity verification checks. The aims are to:
- Ensure that all registered officers are genuine individuals.
- Give more transparency to banks, investors, and regulators.
- Build one of the most trusted and reliable company registers in the world.
This reform is not only about tackling financial crime, it also helps to strengthen the reputation of UK companies and build trust with legitimate businesses.
Who Needs to Verify Their Identity
You’ll need to verify your identity if you are:
- A director of a UK-registered company.
- A person with significant control (PSC) such as anyone who owns more than 25% of shares, holds major voting rights, or has significant influence or control.
- An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) also known as a Companies House authorised agent.
- Someone who files for a company, such as a company secretary.
In most cases, you’ll only need to verify your identity once. You won’t need to repeat the process unless you are told to do so.
Identity verification will also be required later for:
- People who file at Companies House.
- Members of limited partnerships.
- Corporate directors of companies.
- Corporate members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs).
- Officers of corporate PSCs.
For more detail, see the official guidance on when to verify.
Key Deadlines and the Transition Period
Verification becomes compulsory from 18 November 2025, marking the start of a 12-month transition period. It is not a single deadline. Instead, you’ll need to provide your personal code at the correct time, depending on your role and when your company filings are due.
1. Directors (or equivalent)
- Existing directors must verify their identity before the company’s next confirmation statement date after 18 November 2025.
- For example, if your next confirmation statement is due on 31 March 2026, all directors must have verified before that date.
- New directors appointed on or after 18 November 2025 must verify as part of the company registration or appointment process.
2. People with Significant Control (PSCs)
- Existing PSCs must verify their identity and provide their personal code within 14 days of the company’s confirmation statement date.
- If you’re both a director and a PSC of the same company, you’ll only need to verify once, but you must link your verified identity to each role using the personal code issued by Companies House.
- If you’re a PSC but not a director, you must provide your personal code within 14 days of your birth month (for example, if your birthday is 22 January, your 14-day period begins in January).
- New PSCs appointed after 18 November 2025 must verify within 14 days of being added to the register.
3. Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs)
- These are also known as Companies House authorised agents and include professionals such as accountants, solicitors, or company formation agents.
- ACSPs can verify identities on behalf of directors and PSCs, submit verification data, and manage compliance records for their clients.
- They are required to verify their own identity before acting on behalf of any company or individual.
- Using an ACSP can be particularly helpful for overseas directors or where direct GOV.UK verification is not possible.
You can check your company’s deadline here: Check when your next confirmation statement is due.
Failure to comply means the company cannot file its confirmation statement. This can quickly escalate to late filing penalties, reputational harm, and in extreme cases, compulsory strike-off.
How to Verify Your Identity
Verification can be done in two ways:
GOV.UK One Login
This is the most common option for UK-based directors and PSCs. The process is completed online, and individuals must provide identity documents, such as a UK photo driving licence, biometric passport (from any country), UK biometric residence permit (BRP), UK biometric residence card (BRC), or UK Frontier Worker permit (FWP).
You’ll also need to provide your current address when verifying your identity and either sign in or create a GOV.UK One Login account.
Once your identity is successfully verified, Companies House will issue you a personal code. This code is linked to all your company roles and must be used in all future filings.
If you do not have these types of photo ID, you can check other accepted options here:
Verify your identity for Companies House
Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
Verification can also be carried out on behalf of directors and PSCs by authorised agents such as approved accountants, solicitors, and other professionals.
This is a practical solution for overseas directors or those unable to complete verification online. The ACSP checks the identity documents, confirms the information, and arranges the issue of the personal code.
Find out more here: https://www.gov.uk/using-your-gov-uk-one-login/proving-your-identity.
Companies House will not accept identity documents by post or email. Verification can only be done online or through a registered service provider.
Verification Process in Steps
The process is designed to be straightforward:
- Complete verification either with GOV.UK One Login or through an ACSP.
- Receive a personal code once your identity is confirmed.
- You must provide your personal code in your confirmation statement when acting as a director. For PSCs, a verification statement must be submitted (via a separate service) within 14 days.
- Link your verified identity to every role you hold in the company.
Details are available here: Find out about your Companies House personal code.
Preparing Your Business Now
The best way to avoid this is to be ready early rather than be in a hurry to meet deadlines. Practical steps include:
- Check company records to ensure information such as date of birth and address is matched with identity documents.
- Inform all directors and PSCs of their responsibilities, particularly abroad where GOV.UK One Login can prove hard to use.
- Consider appointing an ACSP to verify directors or PSCs that are not able to do it themselves.
- Select verification dates to mark on your corporate compliance calendar to match your next confirmation statement.
- Update company information where necessary. Certain corrections like mistakes in incorporation documents are still done in paper form.
Such measures will reduce the level of disruption and get your company back on schedule.
Non-Compliance Consequences
The new regime is mandatory. In case directors or PSCs are not verified:
- The company is unable to make their confirmation statement.
- They cannot start a new company or entity.
- They cannot register as an ACSP (also known as a Companies House authorised agent).
- If you do not comply with identity verification requirements on time, you may be committing an offence and may have to pay a financial penalty or fine.
- The company may lose its credibility among banks, investors, or regulators.
- Companies House can strike off the company in extreme cases.
The results are severe. Checking is no longer an option; it is now a requirement before one can conduct business in the UK.
Staying Up to Date
The identity verification is one of the wider reforms to UK company law. Additional changes will also come into effect, which include limited partnerships, corporate directors, and members of LLPs.
In order to remain well informed on your company:
- Follow updates on changes in UK company law.
- Subscribe to Companies House email newsletters.
- Keep your registered email address updated, as required by law under the Companies Act 2006.
How The Infinity Group Can Help
At The Infinity Group, we keep businesses informed about the latest updates in laws and regulations in the UK. We provide timely updates, practical guidance, and direct you to the appropriate official resources when needed. To ensure you remain compliant and up to date with legal changes, subscribe to our newsletter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do overseas directors need to verify?
Yes. Every director and PSC must verify, even if they are based outside the UK.
Can one personal code be used for multiple companies?
Yes. The same personal code applies to all your roles, but each company must link it individually.
What if my identity documents do not match the Companies House register?
You must correct the register before completing verification. Any mismatch will prevent the process being completed. Some corrections may require a paper form.
Is verification a one-time process?
Yes. Once completed, the verification does not need to be repeated, but your personal code and verification statement will be required whenever you take on a new role.
Can The Infinity Group act as an ACSP?
Yes. The Infinity Group is authorised to verify identities on your behalf, providing a convenient solution for both UK-based and overseas stakeholders.