Companies House identity verification is no longer an optional extra for people forming or controlling UK companies. Since 18 November 2025, the regime has been a legal requirement for new directors and people with significant control, while existing office-holders are being brought into the system during a transition period. For anyone registering a company in 2026, identity checks now belong near the top of the formation checklist.
The change comes from reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. Its purpose is to make the company register more reliable and make it harder for criminals to use false names or stolen identities. Verification is generally completed once per person, but the resulting details must then be linked to each relevant company role.
Who must complete Companies House identity verification?
The rules apply to individuals who set up, run, own or control companies in the UK. The main groups are company directors and people with significant control, commonly known as PSCs.
For a newly incorporated company, every proposed director must normally have verified their identity and obtained a Companies House personal code before the incorporation filing can be completed. Someone appointed as a director of an existing company must also provide the code during the appointment process.
PSC verification is equally important, although its timing can differ. A PSC may be someone who holds more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, can appoint or remove a majority of directors, or otherwise exercises significant influence or control. Someone who is both a director and a PSC verifies only once, but must connect that identity to both roles when required.
How director identity verification works
The simplest route for many people is the free GOV.UK ID check through GOV.UK One Login. Applicants answer questions about themselves and use an accepted form of photo identification. Current guidance includes biometric passports from any country, UK photocard driving licences and certain UK immigration identity documents.
Depending on the document and device, the check may be completed online. Some applicants can start online and finish at a participating Post Office, where staff take a photograph and scan the identity document. The alternative is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, or ACSP, such as a registered accountant, solicitor or company formation agent. An ACSP may charge for its service even though the direct GOV.UK route is free.
What is the Companies House personal code?
After successful verification, the individual receives an 11-character personal code. It belongs to the person, not to a particular company, so it can connect the same verified identity to multiple directorships or PSC positions.
The code should be stored securely. People who verify through GOV.UK One Login can view it in the “Manage account” area of their Companies House account. When an ACSP completes the check, Companies House sends the code to the email address supplied by the agent.
What new directors must do before registration
A first-time founder should not leave director identity verification until the incorporation form is ready to submit. Each proposed director needs their own verification and personal code. One founder cannot verify for another, and one email address cannot be used for multiple verified GOV.UK One Login identities.
Before starting the company application, confirm that every director’s name, date of birth and other personal details match their identity documents and the information supplied to Companies House. Discrepancies can delay the process or stop the code linking correctly.
The personal codes are then included in the incorporation filing. They prove that the directors have completed the required checks. They are not company authentication codes and should not be confused with the separate code used for online company filings.
Deadlines for existing directors and PSCs
The companies house rules 2026 do not impose one identical deadline on every existing director. The mandatory regime began on 18 November 2025, but that date started a transition period rather than acting as a universal cut-off.
An existing director generally provides their personal code through the company’s next confirmation statement. If a person directs several companies, the verified identity must be connected to each directorship. A company may be unable to file its confirmation statement unless all directors have met the relevant requirements.
PSC verification has separate timing rules. Where a PSC is also a director of the same company, the 14-day period for supplying verification details is linked to the company’s confirmation statement date. A PSC who is not a director generally has a 14-day period linked to their birth month. Companies House displays due dates on the register, so check each role rather than assuming one submission covers everything automatically.
What happens if someone does not verify?
Failure to comply is more than an administrative inconvenience. Continuing to act as a director after the applicable deadline without completing the required steps can be an offence. The company and its directors may also face consequences, and important filings can be blocked.
A PSC who remains in the role after the deadline without complying may also commit an offence. Businesses should not treat the transition period as permission to postpone action. Early verification leaves time to resolve document, name or date-of-birth mismatches.
Is identity information made public?
The check confirms identity; it does not place passport or driving licence copies on the public register. Supporting information supplied for verification is not made publicly available through Companies House services, although the register may show that a person has verified.
Frequently asked questions
Can I register a UK company without verifying the directors?
Under the mandatory regime, proposed directors generally need to verify and provide their personal codes as part of the registration filing. Complete the checks before submitting the application.
Do I need a separate code for every company?
No. The code is unique to the individual and can be used for multiple roles. However, it must be connected to each directorship or PSC position when Companies House requires it.
Is the GOV.UK ID check free?
Yes. Direct verification through GOV.UK One Login is free. An ACSP may charge a professional fee for carrying out the check on your behalf.
Do directors and PSCs verify every year?
Normally, identity verification is a one-off process. The personal code may be needed again to connect the identity to another role or company, but the full check is not usually repeated annually.
Prepare early and keep the code secure
Companies House identity verification has changed the practical steps involved in forming and maintaining a UK company. New directors should complete the process before incorporation, while existing directors and PSCs should check the due date attached to every role they hold. Verify through GOV.UK One Login or a registered ACSP, keep the personal code private, and make sure personal details match Companies House records. A little preparation can prevent a delayed registration, a blocked confirmation statement or a more serious compliance problem.