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Companies House identity verification: what directors need to do

Since 18 November 2025, company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity with Companies House. It is free to do online through GOV.UK One Login, you usually only do it once, and you get a Companies House personal code. Existing directors give that code in their company's next confirmation statement; PSCs give theirs during a set 14-day window.

This guide covers who needs to verify, when, how, and what to do with your code. We are not lawyers or accountants; it summarises Companies House's official guidance, which is linked throughout.

Why has Companies House introduced identity verification?

Companies House says identity verification is a legal requirement intended to deter people from using companies for illegal purposes, reduce the risk of fraud and improve the accuracy of the register. It became mandatory on 18 November 2025, after a voluntary period that started on 8 April 2025. [S1]

Who needs to verify their identity?

You need to verify if you are: [S1]

Companies House says it will introduce verification later for people who file at Companies House, limited partnerships, corporate directors, corporate members of LLPs and officers of corporate PSCs. [S1][S2] As of the 1 June 2026 update, Companies House removed "someone who files for a company" from its list of who needs to verify now. [S1]

A PSC is usually someone with more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, the power to appoint or remove a majority of directors, or other significant influence or control. [S3]

When do I need to verify?

It depends on your role and when you started it. [S2]

Existing directors. Provide your personal code as part of your company's next confirmation statement. If you're a director of more than one company, you do this for each one. [S2] Companies House will not accept a confirmation statement until all directors have verified. [S4]

New directors and new companies. If you're registering a company, you give each director's personal code in the registration filing. [S2] A new director gives it as part of the appointment filing. [S1]

PSCs who are also directors of the same company. You provide your code separately for each role: as a director, in the confirmation statement; as a PSC, through the "Provide identity verification details for a PSC" service, within 14 days starting from the day after the company's confirmation statement date. [S2]

PSCs who aren't directors. You provide your code within the first 14 days of your birth month. For example, if your birthday is 22 January, your window starts on 1 January. [S2]

People who became a PSC after 18 November 2025. Provide your code when you're added to the register, or within 14 days of being added. [S2]

You can check the dates of a PSC's 14-day period on the Companies House register. [S2]

How do I verify my identity?

There are two official routes. Companies House asks people not to post or email identity documents to it. [S1]

1. The free "Verify your identity for Companies House" service. This uses GOV.UK One Login and is free of charge. One Login asks a few questions to find the best way for you, then guides you to verify with an app, by answering security questions online, or by entering your photo ID details and then going to a participating Post Office. Answer the questions about yourself, not your company. [S1]

2. An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). You can ask an authorised agent, such as an accountant or solicitor, to verify you. They must be registered with Companies House and supervised by a UK anti-money laundering body, they'll need documents from an approved list, and they may charge a fee. You can do this from any country. [S1] If you already have an accountant, ask whether they're registered as an ACSP; Companies House also publishes a list. [S1]

What is a Companies House personal code?

When you verify successfully, you get a unique Companies House personal code. It belongs to you, not to any company, and you'll use it when your company files its confirmation statement, if you're appointed as a director, or if you become a PSC. [S1]

You can find your code in your Companies House account. [S5] Companies House advises sharing it only with people you trust to file for you, and keeping it as secure as your Unique Taxpayer Reference. [S1]

In most cases you verify once. Companies House says you must not verify again unless it tells you to. [S1]

What happens if I don't verify?

Companies House says that not meeting the requirements on time may be an offence, which can lead to a fine or financial penalty. You also won't be able to be appointed as a new director, register a new company, or become an ACSP, and Companies House plans to show a note against unverified names on the public register. [S1]

In practice, the step most companies notice is the confirmation statement: it can't be filed until every director has verified. [S4] Verifying a few weeks before your confirmation statement date avoids a last-minute rush.

A quick checklist for small companies

  1. Look up your company on Companies House and note the confirmation statement date. [S6]
  2. List every director and PSC.
  3. Each person verifies through GOV.UK One Login, or through an ACSP. [S1]
  4. Collect each director's personal code before you file the confirmation statement. [S4]
  5. PSCs provide their own code in their 14-day window. [S2]
  6. File the confirmation statement as usual: £50 online. [S4]

Questions

Is Companies House identity verification free?

Yes, through the "Verify your identity for Companies House" service using GOV.UK One Login. An authorised agent may charge a fee. [S1]

Do I need to verify for each company I'm a director of?

You verify once, but you provide your personal code for each company, in each company's confirmation statement. [S1][S2]

When does an existing director need to verify?

By your company's next confirmation statement, which must include your personal code. [S2]

Can my accountant verify me?

Yes, if they're registered with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. [S1]

Does a company secretary need to verify?

Not for the secretary role on its own. Companies House says verification for people who file on a company's behalf will come later. A secretary who is also a director or PSC must verify for those roles. [S1]

Your Evenings is a UK business that writes plain-English guides on public data and small-business admin. Read more about us.

Sources

This guide summarises the official sources above. It isn't legal, tax or accounting advice.

Written with AI assistance by the Your Evenings team at Your Evenings Ltd. Last updated 1 November 2026.

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