Company directors are being urged to familiarise themselves with new identity verification requirements being introduced by Companies House, as confusion is reported around how and when the checks must be completed.
The new rules form part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, a major reform aimed at tackling fraud and improving transparency in the UK’s corporate register. Under the changes, company directors and those appointed as people with significant control (PSCs) will need to verify their identity before certain actions or filings can be made at Companies House.
What is changing?
The verification process began rolling out on 18th November 2025, but this marked the start of a 12-month transition period rather than a single deadline, something that has led to uncertainty among many directors.
Most people understand the reasoning behind the changes and are happy to comply, but in practice our Company Law team is finding that many directors are unclear about exactly what they need to do, how to do it, and when.
One of the most common misunderstandings, particularly for sole directors, is that identity verification is a single step. In reality, the system operates in two stages.
First, individuals must verify their identity using the Companies House verification service through GOV.UK One login, or via an authorised agent such as an accountant or solicitor. Once this is completed, they receive a unique 11-character personal code which confirms their identity.
Then, the code must then be submitted to Companies House to link the verified identity to each directorship or PSC role the individual holds, which is undertaken via the company’s annual confirmation statement process.
Individuals only need to verify their identity once, but the personal code must then be provided for each company role one holds, for example if you are both a director and the PSC for a company, or a director for different companies, so that Companies House can connect the verification to the correct records.
Timing adds to confusion
Further confusion has arisen because the timing of verification varies depending on an individual’s role. A director who has been newly appointed since 18th November 2025 must be validated before their appointment is filed with Companies House.
For existing directors, it must be completed before the company submits its next confirmation statement.
For directors who are also PSCs in the same company, the verification window is linked to the company’s annual confirmation statement date. In that case, individuals have a 14-day period starting the day after the confirmation statement date to provide their personal code as PSC.
But PSCs who are not directors must instead complete verification during the first 14 days of their birth month and new PSCs added to a company’s register must provide their verification details when first added to the register or within 14 days of receiving a so-called ‘direction letter’ sent by Companies House after the appointment.
Digital struggles
Some users have also reported difficulties navigating the digital process, particularly where the identity verification app involved in the digital validation process interacts with the GOV.UK website.
Despite the teething problems, directors will have to get their heads around the process and comply with these new rules which are fundamental to future company administration.
Ultimately the aim is to ensure that the people behind UK companies are properly identified. For most legitimate businesses it should simply become another routine compliance task, but it is worth checking the details early, so you do not get caught out by the timing, in particular for any PSC.
The one thing businesses cannot do is ignore these identity verification requirements, as they may be committing an offence and be subject to a financial penalty or fine. There will also be a note added to an individual’s name on the public register.
Directors and PSCs can check their specific identity verification deadlines by logging into the public register for Companies House and referring to online guidance on timings for when you need to verify.
For further information or guidance please contact our Company Law team.
