UPDATE: Companies House Identity Verification

Following previous updates, Companies House has now confirmed the timeline and requirements for mandatory identity verification, which will begin on 18 November 2025.

This initiative, which is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, aims to improve the accuracy of the companies register and reduce fraud. It is expected to affect around 6–7 million individuals.

Who Needs to Verify and When?

• Existing Directors

Must verify their identity at the time of the first Confirmation Statement filed after 18 November 2025.
Note: Verification is only required once, even if you are a director of multiple companies.

• Existing PSCs (Not Also Directors)

Must verify their identity within 14 days of the start of their month of birth. Once verified, a statement must be submitted confirming the verification.
Example: A PSC born on 25 April must verify by 14 April.

• New Directors

Must verify their identity before company incorporation or upon appointment as a director.

• New PSCs

Must verify their identity within 14 days of becoming a PSC.

Verification can be completed in advance, and we strongly recommend doing this as early as possible to allow time to resolve any potential issues. Once verified, you’ll receive a Companies House personal code, which will be required when filing Confirmation Statements.

You can verify your identity using this link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house

Get In Touch

If you have any queries about Companies House Identity Verification, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your local Whitings office or your usual Whitings LLP contact.

Disclaimer - All information in this post was correct at time of writing.