Companies House confirms compulsory identity verification from 18 November 2025
Companies House confirmed on 5 August 2025 that identity verification for directors and people with significant control would become a legal requirement on 18 November 2025. New directors must verify before incorporation or appointment. Existing directors confirm verification with their next confirmation statement during a 12-month transition, and existing PSCs verify by an appointed day within that year.
Companies House announced on 5 August 2025 the start date for compulsory identity verification under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023: Tuesday 18 November 2025.
What applies from 18 November 2025
- New directors must verify their identity to incorporate a company or be appointed to an existing one.
- Existing directors confirm they have verified when the company files its next confirmation statement, during a 12-month transition.
- Existing PSCs verify by an appointed day within 12 months of 18 November 2025.
- Directors and PSCs can check the register for the verification due dates for each of their roles.
- Each verified person receives a personal code. It must be given, with a verification statement, for each company role they hold.
How to verify
Free through GOV.UK One Login, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). For most people this is done once.
Scale
Companies House estimated that 6 to 7 million people would need to verify by mid-November 2026. More than 300,000 had verified voluntarily since April 2025.
What to do
Build a list of each company's directors and PSCs with their verification status and personal codes, and line verification up with each company's confirmation statement date.