From 18 November 2025, identity verification will officially become a legal requirement for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs).
This marks one of the biggest changes introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 — designed to make the UK’s companies register more secure, accurate, and transparent.
What’s changing
Starting 18 November, Companies House will begin a 12-month transition period to introduce mandatory identity verification.
During this time:
New directors will need to verify their identity before incorporating a company or being appointed to an existing one.
Existing directors will confirm they’ve verified their identity when filing their next confirmation statement (CS01).
People with significant control (PSCs) will need to complete verification within 12 months of the rollout date.
Companies House estimates that 6 to 7 million individuals will need to verify their identity by mid-November 2026. While this sounds like a large task, the process is designed to be simple — in most cases, it can be completed in just a few minutes.
How identity verification works
Verification will take place through GOV.UK One Login, a single secure account that connects users to government services.
Once verified, individuals will receive a personal code from Companies House. This personal code confirms that the user’s identity has been verified and must be provided for each company role they hold when filing future documentation, including the confirmation statement.
For most people, this will be a one-time process — once you’re verified, you won’t need to do it again unless your details change.
Why identity verification matters
The new system is a key part of the government’s effort to:
Improve data accuracy on the public register
Reduce fraud and misuse of company information
Increase transparency about who is running and controlling UK companies
By verifying every director and PSC, Companies House aims to build greater trust across the business community and make it harder for criminal activity or false filings to go undetected.
What you need to do
If you’re a director or PSC, you’ll soon receive official communication from Companies House outlining your next steps and due dates.
Our advice is to verify as early as possible once the process opens — this will ensure there’s no disruption to your company filings or your ability to submit confirmation statements in 2026.
In summary
- Mandatory identity verification begins 18 November 2025
- Transition period runs until mid-November 2026
- Complete verification using GOV.UK One Login
- You’ll receive a personal code once verified
- You’ll need this code to file future company documents
Need help staying compliant?
We’re helping clients prepare for the upcoming Companies House changes.
If you’d like guidance on how this update affects your company’s directors or PSCs — or how to get ahead of the 2025–26 verification rollout — get in touch with our team today.
Alternatively, you can watch our YouTube video for a step-by-step walkthrough of the verification process here