Mandatory identity verification is coming to Companies House: what it is, who's affected, and how to get ready

From 18 November 2025, identity verification becomes mandatory for UK company directors, PSCs and others. There's a 12-month transition window to get verified by your due dates. You'll receive a personal code after verifying and will need to include it (plus a verification statement) with filings. Start now to avoid bottlenecks — CHWatch can track your deadlines and nudge everyone to complete on time.

Why Companies House is bringing in identity verification

The changes come under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). The aim: reduce fraud and improve the accuracy of the public register by ensuring people who set up, run, own or control UK entities are who they say they are.

Key dates and the transition period

• 8 April 2025 – Identity verification opened on a voluntary basis (you could verify early via GOV.UK One Login or through an ACSP/authorised agent).
• 18 November 2025 – Mandatory identity verification starts. From this date:
  • New directors must be verified to incorporate or to be appointed.
  • A 12-month transition begins for existing directors and PSCs to verify by their own due dates (it's not a single hard deadline on day one).
• 18 November 2025 onwards – Filers will need to provide their personal code and a verification statement with relevant filings (including confirmation statements from that date).

Government updates in November 2025 confirm over a million people have already verified and reiterate the personal-code requirement per role.

Who must verify?

• All company directors (existing and incoming)
• People with significant control (PSCs)
• LLP members (similar requirements apply)
• Presenters/filers in certain cases, and ACSPs have their own onboarding requirements

How verification works (and your new "personal code")

You can verify directly with Companies House using GOV.UK One Login, or you can ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) (for example, your accountant or company secretarial agent) to verify you. Once verified, you receive a Companies House personal code. From 18 November 2025, you'll include that code and a verification statement with filings, and — if you hold multiple roles or sit on multiple companies — you'll reference the code for each role. In most cases, you only verify once, then reuse the code.

What about agents and ACSPs?

Third-party providers who verify on clients' behalf must register as ACSPs (authorised agents) and meet AML obligations. This ACSP regime has been available from March/April 2025, with Companies House publishing step-by-step registration and responsibilities.

What will change in day-to-day filings?

• Company formation: new directors must be verified before incorporation can complete.
• Appointments: new appointments will need verified individuals.
• Confirmation statements (CS01): from 18 November 2025, you'll be asked for your personal code and to confirm you've verified.

Companies House is actively emailing and publishing guidance to spread filings over the transition year to avoid system backlogs.

Consequences of not verifying

Government and press briefings indicate that failing to verify will ultimately prevent valid appointments/filings, and offences and sanctions can apply after the transition window (for example, acting as a director without verification). Bottom line: treat this as must-do compliance with real enforcement behind it.

Practical steps to take now

1. Map your people
   List all directors, PSCs and (if applicable) LLP members across every entity you manage. Include overseas directors.
2. Decide your route
   Direct verification via GOV.UK One Login, or via your accountant/secretarial provider as an ACSP.
3. Verify early
   Avoid the autumn–winter 2025 rush. Early verification only takes minutes for most people and provides the personal code you'll need on filings.
4. Update your filing playbook
   Add a step to collect each filer's code and ensure your confirmation statement workflow captures the new verification statement from 18 November 2025.
5. Record keeping
   Store personal codes securely and link them to each person's roles/companies so you don't chase twice.

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