Companies House has confirmed that legal requirements for directors and people with significant control (PSCs) of companies to verify their identities will begin from November.
From 18 November 2025:
- 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 at the same time as they file their next annual confirmation statement, during a 12-month transition period.
- existing PSCs will need to verify their identity in line with an appointed day within 12 months of the commencement of mandatory identity verification on 18 November.
The rollout of identity verification aims to give more assurance about who is setting up, running and controlling companies in the UK.
Companies House said it estimates that 6 to 7 million individuals will need to verify their identity by mid-November 2026. For most people this will be a one-off process that can be done in a few minutes, it said.
It added that it will contact companies to tell them what their directors and PSCs need to do to meet identity verification requirements.
From 18 November, directors and PSCs will also be able to check the Companies House register to see identity verification due dates for all their roles.
Individuals can verify their identity with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Identity verification through GOV.UK One Login is free.
In most cases, individuals will only need to verify their identity once. Once they have successfully verified their identity they will receive a personal code from Companies House. 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.
Companies House CEO Louise Smyth CBE said:
“Identity verification will play a key role in improving the quality and reliability of our data and tackling misuse of the companies register.
“To support business and help people verify their identities, Companies House is contacting all companies with advice and guidance.
“This is part of a coordinated effort to help companies to comply. We encourage people to verify as early as possible.
“More than 300,000 individuals have already done so during the current voluntary period, which started in April.”
AI and Digital Government Minister Feryal Clark said:
“By introducing identity verification through GOV.UK One Login, we’re using technology to make life easier for people. It means companies can prove who’s behind them in a fast, secure, and user-friendly way.
“This is us driving better services, accurate data, and business growth to make government work for everyone.”
It will be an offence to act as a director without being verified once director duties commence. Existing directors will need to verify their identity ahead of their company’s Confirmation Statement. Companies House said it would help and support enterprises to comply with the requirements and will adopt a proportionate approach to enforcement.
