Companies House identity verification is no longer an optional preparation step for people starting or controlling a UK company. Since 18 November 2025, the rules have been phased into incorporations, new director appointments and the records of existing directors and people with significant control. New business owners should now treat identity checks as part of company formation rather than something to handle after registration.
The change connects verified individuals to roles on the register. A person generally verifies once and receives a personal code, but that code must still be supplied separately for each director or PSC role.
Who must verify their identity?
The requirement applies to individual directors and people with significant control, usually called PSCs. A PSC commonly owns or controls more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, can appoint or remove most of the board, or otherwise exercises significant influence or control.
Someone may be both a director and a PSC. In that situation, one identity check produces the personal code, but the individual must connect the verified identity to both roles. Completing director identity verification does not automatically finish the separate PSC verification step.
What new directors must do before incorporation
Anyone becoming a director on or after 18 November 2025 must verify their identity and provide their Companies House personal code as part of the appointment or incorporation filing. An application can therefore be delayed or rejected if a proposed director has not completed the required process.
Verify every proposed director before completing the incorporation form, especially where a business has several founders. Each director must supply their own code and matching personal details.
A practical example
Two founders plan to register a company and both will be directors. One will own 60% of the shares and will also be a PSC. Both founders should complete the GOV.UK ID check before the incorporation is submitted. Each provides a personal code for the director appointment, while the majority shareholder must also connect the same verified identity to the PSC role. The code belongs to the person, so one founder cannot use the other’s code.
Founders should also review how to register a limited company, choosing directors and shareholders, and understanding people with significant control before filing. Getting the structure right first reduces the risk of corrections later.
How to complete the identity check
There are two main routes. You can verify directly through the official Companies House service using GOV.UK One Login, or use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, known as an ACSP. An ACSP is usually an accountant, solicitor or company formation agent registered to perform identity checks.
The direct GOV.UK route is free. Depending on the documents and technology available, the check may be completed online or may direct the applicant to a participating Post Office. Accepted evidence can include a biometric passport from any country, a UK photocard driving licence and certain UK biometric immigration documents. The process may also ask for a photograph or face scan.
People unable to complete the digital route should follow the service instructions or consider an authorised agent, particularly overseas founders or applicants who need help resolving a mismatch.
What happens after verification?
After a successful check, Companies House issues an 11-character personal code. It belongs to the individual, not the company or agent. The same code can be used across multiple directorships and PSC positions, so a person does not normally repeat the full check for every company.
Keep the code secure. It may be shared with an accountant or filing agent, but it should not be published. Companies House can replace a compromised code. People verified by an ACSP should save it in their Companies House account.
Deadlines for existing directors and PSCs
The Companies House rules for 2026 include a transition for people already on the register before 18 November 2025. Existing directors generally provide their personal codes through the company’s next confirmation statement during the transition period. A company cannot complete that confirmation statement unless all its directors have met the verification requirement.
PSC deadlines work differently. Every PSC has a 14-day period in which to provide the code and verification statement. For someone who is both a director and PSC of the same company, the period normally begins the day after the company’s confirmation statement date. An existing PSC who is not a director usually has a window covering the first 14 days of their birth month.
A person becoming a PSC after 18 November 2025 can provide the personal code when first added to the register or within 14 days of being added. Because director and PSC processes are separate, companies should check the register for each role’s due date and record it in their compliance calendar.
Common problems that cause delays
A frequent issue is a mismatch between the verified identity and the Companies House record. A different spelling, outdated surname, incorrect date of birth or mistyped code can stop the system from linking the person to the role.
Check that the details used during verification match the register. If the date of birth held by Companies House is wrong, it may need to be corrected through WebFiling before the code can be accepted. Where an ACSP submitted inaccurate details, contact the agent promptly.
Do not wait until a filing deadline. Verify early, store the code safely and confirm every role that must be linked.
What happens if you do not comply?
Identity verification is a legal requirement. A director who continues acting after the applicable deadline without meeting the rules may commit an offence, and the company and relevant officers may also face consequences. A non-compliant PSC may face enforcement action, a financial penalty or fine, and a note may be displayed against their name on the public register.
A company may also be unable to file its confirmation statement, while a new appointment or incorporation may not proceed correctly. Manage verification alongside other company deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to verify for every company?
No. You normally verify once and receive one personal code, then use it to connect your identity to each director or PSC role.
Is the Companies House identity check free?
The direct GOV.UK One Login service is free. An ACSP may charge for carrying out the check or including it in a formation or compliance service.
Can my accountant complete the check?
An accountant can verify you only if the firm is registered as an ACSP. The identity being checked must still be yours, even when an agent handles the process.
Will my identity documents be public?
No. Supporting identity evidence is not published on the Companies House register, although verification status information and non-compliance notes may be shown where applicable.
Prepare before you file
New directors should complete verification before incorporation or appointment paperwork reaches its final stage. Confirm that names and dates of birth match, keep the 11-character code secure, and remember that a director who is also a PSC must satisfy both role-based requirements. Adding these checks to the formation plan will make compliance far less disruptive.