Companies House identity verification: directors and PSCs

Companies House identity verification is now a legal requirement for UK company directors and persons with significant control (PSCs). Introduced on 18 November 2025 under the reforms associated with the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, the rules require affected individuals to verify their identity and connect their verification to their Companies House records. As the 12-month transition period approaches its end in November 2026, directors and PSCs must check their individual deadlines to avoid potential penalties and filing difficulties.

Who needs to complete Companies House identity verification?

The new requirements are intended to improve the accuracy of the UK companies register, reduce the risk of fraudulent appointments and make it more difficult for individuals to conceal their identity when establishing or controlling companies.

Companies House identity verification applies to several categories of individuals:

• Company directors: Individuals appointed as directors of UK companies, including existing directors and those appointed after 18 November 2025.
• Persons with significant control (PSCs): Individuals who meet the statutory conditions for significant ownership or control of a company.
• Other relevant individuals: These include certain members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs), equivalent officers and individuals seeking registration as Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs).

A PSC will commonly be someone who holds more than 25% of the company’s shares or voting rights, has the right to appoint or remove a majority of its directors, or otherwise exercises significant influence or control.

For further information on identifying PSCs and maintaining accurate company records, see WellTax’s article on Person with Significant Control (PSC) at a glance.

The requirement is linked to an individual’s role, rather than their nationality or country of residence. Consequently, directors and PSCs based outside the UK may also need to complete verification.

What are the Companies House identity verification deadlines in November 2026?

18 November 2025 marked the beginning of mandatory identity verification, not a single deadline applying to everyone. Companies House introduced a 12-month transition period for existing directors and PSCs, with obligations arising according to their circumstances.

As November 2026 started, businesses should distinguish between the transition period and the specific deadline applicable to each individual.

Individual or role	Verification deadline or requirement
Existing company director	Provide their personal code with the company’s next confirmation statement falling on or after 18 November 2025
New director appointed from 18 November 2025	Verify before appointment and provide the code during the appointment or incorporation filing
Existing PSC who is also a director of the same company	Submit PSC verification details within 14 days starting the day after the company’s confirmation statement date
Existing PSC who is not a director of that company	Submit verification details within the first 14 days of their birth month during the transition period
PSC first registered after 18 November 2025	Provide verification details when added to the register or within 14 days of being added

For example, an existing PSC who is not a director and whose birth month is November will ordinarily have a verification period running from 1 to 14 November 2026.

Similarly, if an existing director and PSC has a company confirmation statement date of 31 October 2026, their separate PSC verification period will run from 1 to 14 November 2026.

Three points are particularly important:

• There is no universal 18 November 2026 deadline: Individual dates must be checked against the relevant Companies House records.
• Director and PSC obligations are separate: Someone holding both roles must provide verification details for each role, even though they verify their personal identity only once.
• An early confirmation statement does not change the PSC’s prescribed 14-day period: Businesses should calculate this period using the company’s confirmation statement date.

Companies should consult the official Companies House guidance on when to verify identity and check the relevant company’s public register.

How do you complete Companies House identity verification?

The process is designed to establish that the individual is who they claim to be. There are two recognised methods, followed by an essential step linking the verified identity to the relevant company role.

Option 1: Verify through GOV.UK One Login

Individuals can complete the process using the official Companies House identity verification service.

The process generally involves:

1. Creating or signing in to a personal GOV.UK One Login account.
2. Providing the required personal information and following the appropriate identity-checking method.
3. Completing verification using the available route, which may involve an app, online security questions or a participating Post Office.
4. Receiving a Companies House personal code after successful verification.

Depending on the method selected, applicants may need an accepted identity document, such as a biometric passport or UK photo driving licence.

The GOV.UK verification service is free.

Option 2: Verify through an authorised agent

Individuals can alternatively use an ACSP, such as a suitably registered accountant, solicitor or company formation agent.

The agent must be authorised by Companies House and meet the applicable anti-money laundering supervision requirements. The agent will check approved identity documents and may charge a fee.

What should happen after verification?

Completing the identity check does not automatically satisfy every filing obligation. The individual must also ensure that the resulting personal code is correctly associated with each relevant appointment or PSC role.

This distinction is particularly important for individuals holding multiple directorships or acting as both a director and PSC.

What is the Companies House personal code and how is it used?

A central element of Companies House identity verification is the Companies House personal code, an 11-character identifier issued following successful verification.

The code belongs to the individual, not to a particular company.

Three practical rules apply:

• One person, one code: Individuals generally verify once and reuse the same personal code for their relevant appointments.
• Each role must be linked: A director of multiple companies must provide the code for each directorship. Where the person is also a PSC, a separate PSC submission is required.
• The code must be protected: It should only be shared with trusted individuals who need it for legitimate company filings.

Directors provide their personal codes through the appropriate incorporation, appointment or confirmation statement process. PSCs use the separate service for providing PSC identity verification details.

Individuals verified through GOV.UK One Login can access their code under Manage account in their Companies House account. Those verified after 8 July 2026 should also have received the code by email.

Where an ACSP completed the verification, Companies House sends the personal code to the email address provided by the agent.

It is also important not to confuse the personal code with the company’s authentication code. They serve different functions and are not interchangeable.

What happens if directors or PSCs fail to comply?

Failure to comply with Companies House identity verification requirements can have legal and practical consequences.

Companies House has confirmed that individuals and companies may face enforcement action where verification obligations are not met by the applicable deadline.

Potential consequences include:

• Criminal offences and financial penalties: Individuals who fail to satisfy their obligations may face financial penalties or prosecution. Directors who continue acting without meeting identity verification requirements may commit an offence.
• Filing difficulties: Companies House will not accept a company’s confirmation statement until all its directors have completed the necessary identity verification requirements.
• Further enforcement action: Depending on the circumstances, Companies House may annotate the public register, refer matters to the Insolvency Service or pursue other enforcement measures, including director disqualification in serious cases.

Companies House’s published approach to non-compliance explains that enforcement decisions take account of the seriousness and circumstances of a breach.

Where a PSC cannot meet their deadline, Companies House provides a mechanism to request an extension of up to 14 days. This request must be made before the existing deadline expires.

Businesses should therefore address any verification problems before the relevant due date rather than assume that the transition period provides additional time.

How should companies prepare for the November 2026 requirements?

Although identity verification is a personal obligation, companies should monitor whether their directors and PSCs have completed the necessary steps.

A structured review can help identify individuals with outstanding requirements, particularly where company ownership involves several shareholders, overseas directors or individuals holding multiple appointments.

Three priorities should guide the review:

1. Review directors and PSC records. Check the current Companies House register, identify all relevant individuals and confirm whether appointments and PSC information are accurate.
2. Check deadlines and personal codes. Establish each individual’s applicable date, confirm that verification has been completed and ensure the code has been submitted for every required role.
3. Review upcoming filings. Identify confirmation statements and other corporate filings that may depend on completion of the identity verification process.

Businesses should also consider any discrepancies between identity documents and Companies House records, including differences in names or dates of birth. These may require correction before verification details can be successfully linked.

For companies managing multiple statutory obligations, effective corporate governance and accurate recordkeeping remain essential. WellTax’s Corporate Secretarial services can support UK businesses with company records, governance requirements and relevant statutory filings.

The practical priority is to establish whether each affected individual has both verified their identity and completed the necessary Companies House submission.

Frequently asked questions about Companies House identity verification

Is Companies House identity verification mandatory for all directors?

Yes. The requirement applies to existing and newly appointed directors, subject to the relevant implementation rules and deadlines. New directors must satisfy verification requirements before appointment, while existing directors must provide their personal codes through the applicable confirmation statement process.

Do directors and PSCs need different personal codes?

No. An individual generally receives one personal code after successfully verifying their identity. However, a person who is both a director and PSC must provide the same code separately for each role.

Can a director or PSC living outside the UK verify their identity?

Yes. Individuals based overseas can use the available GOV.UK verification methods where eligible or arrange verification through an ACSP. The appropriate route depends on the identity documents available and the individual’s circumstances.

Is 18 November 2026 the deadline for everyone?

No. The original transition period began on 18 November 2025 and runs for 12 months, but individual deadlines are determined by the relevant director or PSC rules. Some people have earlier deadlines, including PSCs whose prescribed 14-day periods fall before the end of the transition.

What should someone do if their deadline has already passed?

Act promptly. Complete the outstanding verification and role-specific submission as soon as possible. A PSC whose deadline has not yet passed may be able to request an extension. Once a deadline has expired, any further action should take account of Companies House guidance and correspondence.

Companies House identity verification is now a continuing part of UK company compliance. Businesses should treat verification status, personal codes and filing deadlines as routine governance matters. Checking these details before the relevant deadline can reduce the risk of filing disruption and enforcement action.

Written by Luca Marin, Partner, WellTax.