Regulatory

The UK's Companies House rolled out a major change on 18 November 2025. Company directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) must now prove their identity on the official register. The new system helps prevent criminals from using UK companies to commit fraud and launder money. Although over 1m people have verified their identity, about 6 to 7 million people need to complete their verification by mid-November 2026. You'll be glad to know the process is quick. Most people finish their verification in just a few minutes using the GOV.UK Identity Document Checking App. Once verified, you get your own Companies House personal code. You'll need to verify your identity to complete a Confirmation Statement and to manage your Companies House account; and if you don't verify your identity it could mean you suffer a financial penalty or even criminal charges. In this how-to article, we'll show you the exact steps to verify your identity. You'll learn what needs to be done, the deadlines you need to meet, and the best ways to complete the process smoothly. Who Needs to Verify and When Identity verification with Companies House impacts businesses of all sizes in the UK. You need to know who must verify their identity and their deadlines to comply with these new requirements. New directors and incorporations Starting November 18, 2025, new directors must verify their identity before taking any company position or starting a new business. This represents a fundamental change in corporate appointment processing. Identity verification is now vital before taking on director responsibilities. Directors need their Companies House personal code to complete appointment filing or incorporate a company. Existing directors and confirmation statements Directors appointed before November 18, 2025 must complete verification before their company submits its next confirmation statement. Their personal codes become necessary during this filing. Companies cannot submit confirmation statements until all directors verify their identities. Directors of multiple companies need separate verification for each business, though they can use the same personal code. Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) PSCs own or control companies and typically hold more than 25% of shares or voting rights. They face specific verification deadlines: PSCs serving as directors need to provide codes within 14 days of their company's confirmation statement date Non-director PSCs must verify within the first 14 days of their birth month New PSCs registered after November 18, 2025 can submit their code right away or within 14 days of registration People serving as both directors and PSCs in the same company need separate verification for each role. Other roles that may require verification Several other groups will need identity verification after November 18, 2025. This includes Companies House document filers, limited liability partnership members, corporate directors, corporate PSC officers, and limited partnerships. ACSPs who verify others' identities must complete their own verification first. Missing your verification deadline becomes a criminal offence that could result in financial penalties. Ways to Verify Your Identity Companies House gives you three different ways to verify your identity based on your situation and priorities. Using GOV.UK One Login GOV.UK One Login service makes it easy to verify your identity online at no cost. You'll need a photo ID like a biometric passport from any country, UK photo driving licence, UK biometric residence permit, UK biometric residence card, or UK Frontier Worker permit. The digital verification system works in three ways: With the GOV.UK One Login app By answering security questions online At a Post Office Your device type, photo ID availability, and ID type will determine which method you can use. After verification, you'll get a unique personal code that links your verified identity to your Companies House roles. Your verified identity links to your GOV.UK One Login account, so you can only use an email address once for verification. Verifying at a Post Office The Post Office verification starts online if you want to verify in person. You'll need to enter your photo ID details through the Companies House service and pick your preferred Post Office location. You'll then get a confirmation email with a link to download your customer letter. At the Post Office, staff will: Scan the QR code on your letter Take your photograph Scan your original photo ID This service costs nothing. You'll get an email with your verification result within about one day. Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) ACSPs are a great way to get your identity verified for a fee. These professionals, usually accountants, solicitors, or company formation agents, must register with Companies House and a UK Anti-Money Laundering supervisory body. The ACSP option works well especially when you have no acceptable photo ID or need help with verification. You'll need to show proper identity documents to your chosen ACSP. ACSPs must complete identity checks that match the same level of assurance as direct verification with Companies House. Step-by-Step Guide to Online Identity Verification The identity verification process for Companies House through GOV.UK One Login takes just 20-30 minutes to complete. Your business stays compliant with new regulations while protecting corporate integrity through these simple steps. Create your GOV.UK One Login account You need a personal email address that only you can access to set up your GOV.UK One Login account. Each email address works only once for verification, so company email addresses like accounts@yourcompany.com won't work. The system will help you set up two-factor authentication to keep your account secure. Choose your verification method GOV.UK One Login asks a few questions to help you pick the best verification option: Using the GOV.UK ID Check app (the quickest way) Answering online security questions Verifying in-person at a Post Office Most people complete the app verification in less than 2 minutes 30 seconds. Use the ID Check app or answer security questions The app verification needs: A smartphone that works with the system (iPhone with iOS 16.7+ or Android 10+) Valid photo ID (biometric passport, UK driving licence, etc.) The screen guides you through scanning your document and taking a selfie. You can also choose to answer security questions based on your credit history. Receive and store your Companies House personal code Your verification success leads to an 11-character personal code (format: XXX-XXXX-XXX). You can find this permanent identifier in your account's "Manage account" section. Keep this code safe but available - you'll need it whenever you file with Companies House. What Happens If You Don’t Verify Your failure to verify identity with Companies House can seriously impact both you and your company. Inability to file confirmation statements Companies cannot submit confirmation statements unless all directors have verified their identities starting November 2025. This creates an immediate roadblock to meeting simple legal requirements. Remember that confirmation statements are mandatory annual filings that confirm your company's information accuracy. Legal penalties and offences You commit a criminal offence by continuing to act in a role that needs verification after your deadline. Directors risk prosecution, disqualification from future directorships, and financial penalties. The courts can punish verification-related offences with fines, jail time, or both. Risk of company strike-off Your company cannot file confirmation statements without verified directors, which might trigger the strike-off process. Companies House could remove your business from the register, making it legally non-existent. On top of that, it can transfer your struck-off company's assets to Crown ownership. Reputational damage Your stakeholders lose trust when you don't comply. Banks might limit your account access, suppliers could change their trading terms, and potential investors might doubt your company's legitimacy. These issues damage business relationships and create operational problems beyond official penalties. So, verifying on time protects not just your legal compliance but also your business's operational foundation and reputation. Conclusion The UK's business governance landscape is changing with Companies House identity verification. This new requirement affects millions of directors and PSCs. The good news? Most people complete the process in less than three minutes. This piece explains who needs verification, their deadlines, and available methods. Not complying with these verification requirements goes beyond administrative problems. Your company could face serious consequences - from being unable to file confirmation statements to criminal charges and financial penalties. The authorities might even strike off your company. Your business relationships could suffer as stakeholders start doubting your legitimacy. Complete your verification well before the deadline. GOV.UK One Login is the quickest way for most users to verify. The Post Office verification is a great alternative if you prefer face-to-face interaction. People without proper ID documents can still complete this process through an ACSP. Note that you'll need your personal code for all future Companies House filings after verification. This unique identifier connects your verified identity to your corporate roles, so keep it safe. These new requirements might look like just another regulatory burden. However, they protect UK businesses from fraud and misuse effectively. The quick verification process creates a more secure business environment. This benefits honest company directors and strengthens the wider economy. Start your verification process now to keep your business compliant with these new regulations. FAQs Q1. Why is identity verification required for Companies House? Identity verification is now mandatory to enhance the accuracy and trustworthiness of the Companies House register. It helps prevent fraud, improves transparency, and ensures that individuals associated with UK companies are who they claim to be. Q2. How can I verify my identity for Companies House? You can verify your identity through three main methods: using GOV.UK One Login online, visiting a Post Office in person, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). The online method using the GOV.UK ID Check app is typically the quickest, taking less than 2 minutes 30 seconds on average. Q3. What happens if I don't verify my identity with Companies House? Failing to verify your identity can have serious consequences. Your company may be unable to file confirmation statements, you could face legal penalties including fines or imprisonment, and there's a risk of your company being struck off the register. It can also damage your business relationships and reputation. Q4. Who needs to verify their identity with Companies House? Identity verification is required for new and existing company directors, Persons with Significant Control (PSCs), and individuals in certain other roles. New directors must verify before appointment, while existing directors need to verify before their company's next confirmation statement. Q5. What do I need to complete the online identity verification process? To verify online, you'll need a GOV.UK One Login account, a compatible smartphone (for the app method), and an acceptable form of photo ID such as a biometric passport or UK driving licence. After verification, you'll receive a unique Companies House personal code, which you'll need for future filings.

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