If you are a Director or Person with Significant Control (PSC) for a UK business, you will need to verify your identity with Companies House from 18 November 2025.
This change forms part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which gives Companies House greater powers to confirm and challenge the information filed on the register. Anyone involved in the management or control of a UK company will need to prove they are who they say they are.
The goal of these changes is to tackle economic crime and improve transparency, but for many legitimate businesses, it will mean another layer of paperwork to manage.
Who needs to verify their identity, and when should they do it?
| Date |
Who's affected |
What to do |
From April 2025 |
Everyone (Voluntary phase) |
You can verify your identity during the voluntary phase and should strongly consider doing so. |
From 18 November 2025 |
All new directors and PSCs (including those of existing companies) |
You must verify your identity immediately upon appointment or incorporation. |
|
Existing directors and PSCs |
You'll need to complete verification as part of your first confirmation statement, or in line with any timetable set by Companies House.
When filing the confirmation statement, you must include each director's personal code along with a verification statement. |
|
Directors of multiple companies |
A personal code and verification statement must be included for each director on each company's confirmation statement. Your same personal code can be used across all companies, but the process must be completed separately for each one. |
Where to find your personal code
You can verify your identity using GOV.UK One Login. Once completed, your personal code will be available in the 'Manage account' section of your Companies House profile.
Find out more about your Companies House personal code.
What documents does Companies House accept?
Acceptable photo ID documents include:
- Biometric passports from any country
- UK full or provisional photo driving licenses
- UK Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRC)
- UK Frontier Worker Permits
Additionally, proof of your current address and the year you moved in may be required to verify occupancy in the UK.
Message from Companies House: Don't wait – verify your identity now
“From 18 November 2025, you will not be able to file your company's confirmation statement unless all directors have verified their identity.
Act now to:
- avoid delays and make sure your company stays compliant
- give each officer enough time to complete the process – especially if your company has more than one director and/or PSC
- allow directors and PSCs based outside of the UK plenty of time to verify using GOV.UK One Login or to find an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), if they wish to use one”
Next Steps
By understanding the process now and gathering the necessary details in advance, you can avoid last-minute stress when filing. If you're unsure how these changes affect you or need help with the verification process, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
Useful links and sources:
Verify your identity for Companies House now
Check when your next confirmation statement is due
Check your company information
Update company details
GOV.UK
Brightsg