From 18 November 2025, identity verification with Companies House will start to be required for company directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs). The measure is intended to improve the reliability of information on the UK’s company register and support efforts to reduce economic crime.
The identity verification process was introduced on a voluntary basis in April 2025. According to Companies House, more than one million individuals have completed verification since then.
Companies House Chief Executive, Andy King, described the milestone as significant, saying: “Identity verification will help make sure that the people setting up and running companies are who they say they are. This will make our data more reliable and less open to misuse, supporting a more transparent and trusted business environment.”
When to verify
The specific date by which each director or PSC needs to verify their identity varies. Companies House says it will contact each company directly with this information. Broadly, the requirements are as follows:
- Directors
Existing directors of companies will need to verify their identity as part of their company’s next confirmation statement from 18 November 2025. This will need to be done for each company if you are a director of more than one entity.
If you are registering a new company that you will be a director of, you will need to verify your identity as part of the registration process. - PSCs
If you are a PSC, as well as a director of the same company, you need to verify your identity for your PSC role as well as your director role. Verifying for your PSC role will need to be done within 14 days of the company’s confirmation statement date.
If you are a PSC but not a director of the same company, then you will be
required to verify within the first 14 days of your birth month. For example, if
your date of birth is 20 December, your 14-day period begins on 1 December.
If you become a PSC after 18 November 2025, you need to verify within 14
days of being added to the Companies House register.
How to verify
Verification can be carried out in one of two ways: directly through Companies House using GOV.UK One Login, or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Verified individuals will receive a personal code through the service. They will then need to provide this personal code and a verification statement for each company role they hold.
Other roles
Companies House plan to introduce identity verification for other roles in the future. This will include limited partnerships and corporate directors.
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. As far as we are aware, the content is accurate at time of publication. Torgersens assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided.
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