Companies House ID Verification: What Directors and PSCs Need to Know Before November 2025

From 18 November 2025, Companies House will begin requiring identity verification for all company directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs). This is part of a wider reform designed to make the UK company register more reliable and to combat economic crime.

Identity verification has been available voluntarily since April 2025, and more than one million people have already completed the process. Companies House CEO Andy King says the change will help ensure that “the people setting up and running companies are who they say they are,” improving transparency and trust in the UK business environment.

When You Need to Verify Your Identity

Companies House will contact each company with the specific deadline for their directors and PSCs. However, the general rules are:

Directors

• Existing directors must verify their identity as part of their company’s next confirmation statement filed on or after 18 November 2025.

• If you're a director of multiple companies, you must verify your identity for each company.

• New directors must complete verification during the company registration process.

People with Significant Control (PSCs)

The requirements differ depending on your role:

• If you are both a PSC and a director:
  You must verify twice — once for your director role and once for your PSC role. The PSC verification must be completed within 14 days of the company’s confirmation statement date.

• If you are a PSC but not a director:
  You must verify within the first 14 days of your birth month.
  Example: If you were born on 20 December, your 14-day window starts 1 December.

• If you become a PSC after 18 November 2025:
  You must verify within 14 days of being added to the Companies House register.

How to Complete Identity Verification

You can verify your identity in one of two ways:

1. Directly with Companies House via GOV.UK One Login

2. Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) — such as our team at Alera Accounting & Advisory

Once verified, you’ll receive a personal code. You’ll need to use this code, along with a verification statement, for every company role you hold.

What’s Coming Next?

Companies House plans to extend identity verification to other roles in the future, including:

• Limited partnerships

• Corporate directors

More details will follow as the reform continues to roll out.

Need Support With Your Verification?

If you’re unsure about your deadline or need help verifying yourself or others in your company, we’re here to support you.

Get in touch with Alera and we’ll guide you through the process quickly and compliantly.