On 5 August 2025, Companies House announced that mandatory identity verification will be phased in from 18 November 2025 (Companies House confirms identity verification rollout from 18 November 2025 - GOV.UK)
From that date:
- new directors will need to verify their identity to incorporate a company or be appointed to an existing company;
- existing directors will need to confirm they have verified their identity when the file the company's next annual confirmation statement; and
- existing PSCs will need to verify their identity by a specific day (see below) within 12 months of the commencement date.
The scale of the task ahead is colossal, with Companies House estimating that 6 to 7 million individuals will need to verify their identity in time for the commencement date.
Individuals only need to undertake identity verification once to obtain their personal code from Companies House, but this process must be completed by the first date that applies to the individual. From 18 November 2025, users will need to provide their personal code and a verification statement confirming they have successfully verified their identity for each company role they hold.
Directors - directors will need to provide their Companies House personal code as part of their company's next confirmation statement due after 18 November 2025. If someone is a director of more than one company, they will need to do this for each directorship they hold. When incorporating a new company, each director's Companies House personal code will need to be provided as part of the company incorporation filings.
People with significant control (PSCs) - PSCs will need to verify their identity and obtain a personal code. Every PSC will have a 14-day period during which they must submit a statement confirming they have verified their identity, along with their personal code. The timing for this varies depending on their situation.
Someone who is both a director and a PSC of the same company must provide their code separately for each role:
- as a director, they must provide the code in the company's confirmation statement;
- as a PSC, they must provide a separate statement with the code within 14 days of the company's confirmation statement date.
If an individual is a PSC but not a director of the same company, their 14-day period starts from the first day of their birth month, as shown on the Companies House register. For example, if the date of birth is shown on the register as March 1990, the 14-day period will start on 1 March 2026.
If someone is registered as a PSC after 18 November 2025, their 14-day period starts from the date of being added to the Companies House register.
How to verify - individuals can verify their identity with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login, or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Verification through GOV.UK One Login is free and is reasonably straightforward for most individuals who hold biometric photo ID. Verify your identity for Companies House - GOV.UK
However, if you encounter difficulties and would like to be put in touch with an ACSP who can assist, please do reach out to your usual Howard Kennedy contact for assistance.
Want to hear more from us? 
