If you are a company director or a person with significant control (PSC), there is an important Companies House requirement that should be on your radar.
Identity verification became a legal requirement in November 2025 and, as we move further through 2026, more existing directors and PSCs are reaching the point at which they need to provide their verified identity details to Companies House.
If you have been putting it off – or you are not entirely sure whether you have completed everything you need to – now is a good time to check.
Why has identity verification been introduced?
The new identity verification requirements form part of wider changes to Companies House under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
The aim is to make it harder for people to register companies using false or stolen identities, improve the accuracy of information held on the Companies House register and provide greater transparency over who is setting up and controlling UK companies.
For business owners, it means Companies House is increasingly moving away from simply accepting information submitted to the register and towards verifying the people behind that information.
Who needs to verify their identity?
Identity verification applies to a number of people involved with UK companies, including:
- company directors;
- people with significant control (PSCs);
- relevant officers of certain other entities; and
- individuals acting as Authorised Corporate Service Providers.
If you are both a director and a PSC of the same company, there is an important distinction to be aware of.
Although you only need to verify your identity once, you may need to provide your personal code separately for each role.
What is a Companies House personal code?
Once your identity has been successfully verified, you will receive a unique 11-character Companies House personal code.
This code belongs to you as an individual, rather than to a particular company.
That means if you are a director of several companies, you do not need to go through the identity verification process separately for every company. You use the same personal code to connect your verified identity with each relevant role.
It is therefore important to keep your personal code secure and somewhere you can access it when required.
When do existing directors need to provide their code?
For existing company directors, the requirement is linked to the company’s confirmation statement.
During the transition period, directors need to provide their Companies House personal code as part of their company’s next confirmation statement.
If you are a director of more than one company, your code will need to be provided for each company.
This means there isn’t one single deadline that applies to every existing director. The date that matters to you will depend on the companies you are involved with and their confirmation statement dates.
Checking those dates now can help avoid a last-minute rush.
What about people with significant control?
The requirements for PSCs work slightly differently.
PSCs also need to verify their identity and provide their personal code to Companies House, but the period in which they need to do this depends on their individual circumstances.
For example, where someone is both a director and a PSC of the same company, their responsibilities in each capacity are treated separately.
This is one of the areas where the new system can become confusing, particularly for owner-managed businesses where the same person may hold several roles.
How do you verify your identity?
There are two main routes.
You can verify directly with Companies House using GOV.UK One Login. Depending on the route you use, you may need an accepted form of photo identification, such as a biometric passport or UK photocard driving licence.
Alternatively, verification can be carried out through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as an accountant or solicitor that is registered to provide the service.
Whichever method you use, once the process has been completed successfully you will receive your personal code.
Don’t assume that verification is the end of the process
One potentially confusing part of the new rules is the difference between verifying your identity and providing your personal code for your company roles.
Successfully completing identity verification gives you your personal code.
You then need to use that code when required to connect your verified identity to the relevant role or roles you hold at Companies House.
For directors, this includes providing the code through the appropriate confirmation statement process.
So, if you completed identity verification several months ago, it is still worth checking that you understand what needs to happen next.
What should company directors do now?
If you haven’t yet looked at the new requirements, September is a good opportunity to get organised.
Check whether you have completed identity verification, locate your personal code if you already have one and review the confirmation statement dates for any companies of which you are a director.
It is also worth checking that the information Companies House holds about your company, its directors and PSCs is accurate and up to date.
Taking action ahead of the relevant deadline is much easier than trying to resolve an issue when a filing is due.
How Blue Spire can help
Changes at Companies House are creating additional responsibilities for company directors and business owners, and it is understandable if you are unsure about what applies to you.
At Blue Spire, we can help you understand your Companies House responsibilities, identify the relevant deadlines for your company and make sure you know what action needs to be taken.
| If you’re unsure whether you have completed everything required under the new identity verification rules, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team. |
