From 18 November 2025, identity verification becomes mandatory for individuals who set up, run, own or control UK companies, under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. This is being phased in over 12 months, but obligations start immediately for new appointments and incorporations on or after 18 November 2025. The aim is to improve the integrity of the register, deter fraud, and give stakeholders greater confidence in UK corporate data.

Who must verify

• Directors of UK companies: new directors must be verified to incorporate or be appointed from 18 November 2025; existing directors must confirm they are verified with their next confirmation statement during the 12‑month transition.
• People with Significant Control (PSCs): new PSCs from 18 November 2025 must verify within the specified timeframes; existing PSCs must verify within the appointed window during the transition year.
• LLP members: verification applies from 18 November 2025, with further categories (including corporate directors and those who file) to be introduced later.

Companies House expects 6–7 million people to verify by November 2026, and encourages early action. In most cases, verification is a one‑off process that takes minutes and results in a personal code that links the individual to their Companies House records.

When verification is due

• New directors and new PSCs (from 18 November 2025): verification is required at the point of incorporation/appointment or within the mandated period following PSC registration.
• Existing directors: must confirm they have verified at the time of their company’s next confirmation statement filed after 18 November 2025, within the 12‑month transition.
• Existing PSCs: must verify within their appointed period in the transition year; PSCs who are also directors may have to provide their personal code in both director and PSC processes.

What is being verified

Verification links a real person to their Companies House record using secure checks on identity documents and liveness, producing a Companies House personal code. That code must be provided when required—typically at confirmation statement for directors, and within the PSC time window for PSCs (or within the timeframe following becoming a PSC). Once verified, the status persists unless circumstances require re‑verification, and the code is used to tie filings and appointments to a verified person.

How to verify

There are two routes, both meeting the same assurance standard:

• Direct with Companies House (via GOV.UK One Login): Individuals verify digitally using valid photo ID (such as a biometric passport and, for UK residents, a driving licence), complete liveness/document checks, and receive a personal code. This route is free.
• Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP): AML‑supervised professional firms (accountants, solicitors, company formation agents, chartered secretaries) registered as Companies House authorised agents can verify identities to the same standard and submit confirmations on behalf of clients.

Most people can complete the direct route quickly. However, for complex cases—such as non‑UK directors without compatible documents or where face‑to‑face or enhanced checks are preferred—verification through an ACSP can be more practical.

Consequences of non‑compliance

Non‑compliance is an offence with repercussions for both individuals and companies:

• Acting as an unverified director: It is an offence for an individual to act as a director without being verified by the applicable deadline, and a company commits an offence if it allows an unverified person to act.
• PSC non‑compliance: PSCs who fail to verify commit an offence; while the company may not be liable for that specific PSC offence, the company’s filings can be restricted.
• Filing blocks and incorporation refusal: Companies House can block submissions where required verification is missing, preventing confirmation statements, changes, or new incorporations until compliance.
• Financial penalties and enforcement: Expect financial penalties for failures, and potential escalations, including strike‑off risks if routine filings are blocked and remain outstanding.
• Practical disruption: An unverified director will prevent filing of the confirmation statement, causing knock‑on late filing penalties for other time‑bound obligations and potentially triggering banking, contractual, and regulatory issues linked to good standing.

Companies House has indicated a proportionate approach, but the legal obligations are firm and timed; delays can rapidly translate into operational and legal risks.

The shift on 18 November 2025 is significant but manageable with planning. Treat verification as part of core corporate governance: verify early, use ACSP support where helpful, and ensure every director and PSC has a valid personal code before critical filing dates. This will keep entities compliant, avoid offences and penalties, and ensure filings proceed without interruption.