Companies House ID Checks: Three Months Left for Directors to Verify
The 12-month transition period for Companies House identity verification ends on 17 November 2026. By the end of June, 55% of directors and 42% of people with significant control had verified.
By Entrepreneur Group · Published · Updated
Every director, person with significant control (PSC) and LLP member of a UK company must verify their identity with Companies House. The requirement became law on 18 November 2025 and began a 12-month transition period that ends on 17 November 2026. Companies House figures for the end of June 2026 show 55% of directors, 50% of LLP members and 42% of PSCs had verified, according to Law Debenture.
Companies House estimates 6 to 7 million existing individuals need to verify. If you run a small company, that almost certainly includes you.
Who has to verify
The government's guidance on the changes to company law says anyone setting up, running, owning or controlling a UK company must verify their identity. That covers:
- new and existing directors;
- new and existing people with significant control;
- members of limited liability partnerships.
Nationality and where you live make no difference. Each person must verify for themselves; a colleague cannot do it on your behalf. Later stages will extend checks to people who file at Companies House, no earlier than November 2027 and with at least six months' notice.
How to verify
There are two routes:
- Directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login, using an identity document such as a passport. This is free.
- Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as an accountant, solicitor, company formation agent or chartered secretary. ACSPs must meet the same standard of checks.
Once verified, you receive a Companies House personal code. For existing directors, Law Debenture explains that the code must be provided when the company files its next confirmation statement. For PSCs who are not directors, the deadline is linked to the first 14 days of their birth month as shown on the register. Check your own dates with Companies House rather than relying on a general rule.
What happens if you do not verify
The government says failing to verify on time is an offence, with consequences that include a financial penalty. You will not be able to make filings for your company or start a new company. Law Debenture adds that unverified people may be marked on the public register and that, in serious cases, disqualification is possible.
A checklist for founders
This section is editorial guidance, not legal advice.
- List everyone who needs to verify: every director and every PSC in your company, and any other companies you are involved in.
- Check your confirmation statement date. It is on your company's Companies House page. That is when your personal code is likely to be needed.
- Verify early. It is free and usually quick through GOV.UK One Login, but problems with documents take time to fix.
- Keep your personal code safe. You will need it for filings.
- Co-founders abroad. People without suitable documents for the online route can use an ACSP, which Law Debenture says can verify people in over 120 countries.
Frequently asked questions
When is the deadline for Companies House identity verification?
The 12-month transition period that started on 18 November 2025 ends on 17 November 2026. Existing directors generally need to provide their personal code with the company's next confirmation statement.
Who needs to verify their identity with Companies House?
All directors, people with significant control and LLP members of UK companies, whatever their nationality or where they live.
How do I verify my identity for Companies House?
You can verify for free through GOV.UK One Login, using an identity document such as a passport, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider such as an accountant or solicitor.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Changes to UK company law: identity verification (reviewed 27 October 2026)
- Law Debenture: Millions of directors still unverified: the 17 November deadline is closer than it looks (17 August 2026) (reviewed 27 October 2026)