Identity Verification Required from 18 November 2025

Starting 18 November 2025, all company directors and individuals with significant control (PSCs) will need to verify their identity as mandated by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. This is part of broader reforms aimed at preventing the misuse of UK companies.

The identity verification requirements for limited partnerships, corporate directors of companies, corporate members of Limited Liability Partnerships, and officers of corporate PSCs will be introduced at a later stage.

If you're a director or PSC, you'll need to act before your next confirmation statement is due — or risk being unable to file.

For Directors

The 18th of November kicks off a transition year where all directors must verify their identity before submitting their company’s next confirmation statement. For instance, if your company’s confirmation statement is due on 31 March 2026, all directors must be verified by then.

You’ll need to include the personal code and a verification statement for each director in the confirmation statement. Failing to do so will prevent your company from submitting the filing.

If you’re a director of multiple companies, you’ll need to repeat this process for each company, using the same personal code each time.

Check when your next confirmation statement is due to ensure your company is ready.

From 18 November, identity verification details will be required to incorporate a new company or to be appointed to an existing one.

For Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)

You’ll need to provide your personal code to Companies House for your role as a PSC. An online service will be available for this when the requirement comes into effect on 18 November.

Every PSC will have a 14-day window to provide their personal code. The timing of this window depends on whether:

• You were registered as a PSC with Companies House before 18 November
• You’re also a director of the company

For more details, refer to the guidance on when to verify.

If you’ve already verified your identity for Companies House, you won’t need to do it again, but you will need to provide your personal code and a verification statement for each role you hold.

How to Verify Your Identity

You can verify your identity for Companies House by:

• Using the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service This service uses GOV.​UK One Login to verify your identity.

  GOV.​UK One Login will ask you a few simple questions to determine the best way for you to verify your identity online. The options available may depend on your device, whether you have photo ID, and the type of ID you have.

• Using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider You can ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify your identity on your behalf – for example, an accountant or solicitor.

  This can be done from any country, but to become a registered ACSP with Companies House, your agent must be supervised by a UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervisory body.

  When an agent agrees to verify your identity, you’ll need to provide them with documents from an approved list as evidence of your identity. They may charge a fee for their services.

  Do not post or email your identity documents to Companies House.

What Happens Next

Identity verification is a two-step process:

1. Verify your identity and receive your Companies House personal code. This code is unique to you and should be kept secure.
2. From 18 November, link your verified identity to each company role you hold by providing your personal code and a verification statement for each role.

Where to Find Your Personal Code

If you verify your identity through GOV.​UK One Login, you’ll be able to view your personal code in the ‘manage account’ section of your Companies House account.

If you verify your identity using an ACSP, you’ll receive your personal code by email.

You may want to share this code with trusted individuals who file on your behalf or for your company.

Check Your Company and Personal Details

Ensure your personal information, especially your date of birth, matches what is held on the Companies House register.

If the date of birth on your identity documents (used in step 1 of the process) does not match the date of birth on the register, you will not be able to complete step 2 – linking your verified identity to your company role(s).

For some updates (for example, corrections to incorporation documents), you’ll need to use a paper form.

Don’t Wait – Verify Your Identity Now

From 18 November 2025, you won’t be able to file your company’s confirmation statement unless all directors have verified their identity.

Act now to:

• Avoid delays and ensure your company remains compliant
• Give each officer enough time to complete the process – especially if your company has more than one director and/or PSC
• Allow directors and PSCs based outside of the UK plenty of time to verify using GOV.​UK One Login or to find an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), if they wish to use one

Please share this information with any company officers or PSCs who need to verify their identity.