Are you prepared for one of the biggest shifts in company regulation in the UK? Starting 18 November 2025, all directors and people with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity to comply with new legal obligations.
This is part of a government initiative to combat fraud, improve register accuracy, and build trust in UK businesses. With a phased rollout lasting 12 months, companies must understand what’s expected and when to act.
This blog will guide business owners through the process, responsibilities, timelines, and benefits of the upcoming verification requirements.
Why Is Identity Verification Being Introduced by Companies House?
Identity verification is being introduced to enhance the integrity and trustworthiness of the UK’s company registration system.
For years, individuals could register companies with little proof of their real identity, enabling fraudulent behaviour, false filings, and company misuse.
This new verification process will:
- Improve transparency across the business register
- Help eliminate fraudulent and fictitious directorships
- Support law enforcement in tackling economic crime
- Increase public and investor confidence in UK businesses
These changes align with the government’s broader mission to modernise corporate governance and data reliability.
With millions of businesses operating in the UK, identity checks ensure that those controlling them are accountable and identifiable, creating a more secure corporate environment.
Who Needs to Verify Their Identity Under the New Rules?
The new legal requirements primarily focus on those with control or management of a company. The process applies to various roles based on their responsibilities and status.
Directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs)
Directors and PSCs are directly impacted by the new requirements and must complete identity verification.
Key roles that must verify:
- New directors at the time of company incorporation or appointment
- Existing directors during the next confirmation statement filing
- New PSCs upon registration
- Existing PSCs within a 12-month transition
Verification is a legal requirement. Failure to comply will lead to enforcement action. This measure ensures that company controllers can no longer operate anonymously or with fraudulent identities.
Who Is Not Required to Verify?
Not all individuals linked to a company are subject to identity verification immediately. People exempt from the initial requirement include:
- Sole traders: Not registered as limited companies
- Dormant company officers without active management roles
- Corporate members of LLPs, phased in later
- Corporate directors and officers of corporate PSCs: Will be included in a future rollout phase
This staggered approach helps ease the administrative burden on smaller entities and focuses initially on the most influential company positions.
When Do Directors and PSCs Need to Complete Verification?
Timelines vary based on whether an individual is new or existing in their role.
- New directors and PSCs appointed on or after 18 November 2025 must verify within 14 days of registration.
- Existing directors must confirm their identity when submitting their next confirmation statement within the 12-month transition.
- Existing PSCs have different deadlines based on their position and date of birth.
Companies should keep track of each director and PSC’s specific deadline to ensure timely compliance. Being proactive and verifying early can help avoid future delays or penalties.
Verification Timeline for Existing Directors and PSCs
The 12-month rollout has built-in flexibility based on individual status and timing. Here’s a breakdown to simplify it:
| PSC/Director Type | Deadline for Identity Verification |
| New Director (Appointed after 18 Nov 2025) | Within 14 days of appointment |
| Existing Director | By next confirmation statement post-18 Nov 2025 |
| New PSC (Added after 18 Nov 2025) | Within 14 days of PSC registration |
| Existing PSC – Also a Director | 14 days from company’s confirmation statement |
| Existing PSC – Not a Director | From 1st day of birth month in 2026 |
Monitoring internal deadlines and syncing with confirmation statements will be essential for businesses to remain compliant.
How Does the Verification Process Work Through GOV.UK One Login?
Verifying your identity through GOV.UK One Login is intended to be a simple and efficient experience. It offers a secure, digital-first method that helps meet Companies House requirements while keeping the process straightforward for users.
Steps to Complete Verification
- Log in or create an account: Access GOV.UK One Login with your existing details or set up a new account before starting the process.
- Provide identification documents: Submit valid ID such as a passport or driving licence for authentication.
- Use the GOV.UK ID Checking App or web browser: Complete the verification by uploading and confirming your details online.
- Visit the Post Office if needed: For those who find digital submission challenging, in-person verification support is available.
Once verified, you will receive a personal code from Companies House. This code is required for future filings and, in most cases, the process only needs to be completed once unless your details change.
What Happens If You Don’t Verify Your Identity on Time?
Failing to verify your identity with Companies House can have serious consequences. From legal restrictions to financial penalties, the rules are designed to ensure transparency and accountability for all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs).
Legal Consequences
It will become a criminal offence to act as a company director or PSC without verification. The law clearly outlines that once duties commence, verification must be in place.
Fines and Penalties
Failure to verify may lead to financial penalties, disqualification, or being struck off the register. Companies House is empowered to enforce compliance through targeted action.
Support and Enforcement Approach
While enforcement exists, Companies House aims to be proportionate and supportive. The agency has committed to helping individuals and companies comply, offering guidance and accessible support services before pursuing penalties.
What’s the Role of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023?
The identity verification requirements are rooted in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at tightening corporate transparency and curbing criminal misuse of the Companies House register.
This Act provides the legal framework for mandatory identity checks and expanded powers for Companies House to maintain data integrity.
By identifying those in control of companies, the Act helps prevent shell companies, front businesses, and fraudulent registrations. It also complements other national anti-fraud strategies to foster a fair, open, and compliant business landscape.
How Are Existing Companies Being Supported During the Transition?
To ensure businesses can adapt smoothly, Companies House is implementing support and communication measures throughout the transition.
Email Communications and Guidance
Since March 2024, every company must provide a registered email address. This is used to:
- Send guidance and deadlines
- Notify companies of director and PSC requirements
- Offer technical support and updates
Companies are advised to monitor their registered email frequently for updates. Companies House is working actively to ensure that all affected individuals are informed before deadlines arrive.
Phased Rollout with a 12-Month Transition Period
The 12-month rollout from 18 November 2025 to November 2026 ensures flexibility. The goal is to give every company enough time to comply without administrative overload.
Companies are encouraged to verify early. Doing so helps avoid last-minute issues and ensures uninterrupted compliance during filing periods. This approach balances enforcement with practical business support.
Is the UK Business Community Ready for These Changes?
Recent surveys suggest that businesses are not only aware of the changes but are broadly supportive.
- 81% of business leaders back the identity verification rollout
- 73% believe the process will be easy to complete
- 60% already understand the legal requirements
With over 300,000 individuals voluntarily verifying already, the initial feedback shows strong alignment between Companies House reforms and business interests. Business owners recognise that transparency can boost investor confidence and reduce fraud risks.
UK Business Readiness Survey Summary:
| Survey Metric | Result |
| Awareness of legal requirements | 60% |
| Support for identity verification rollout | 81% |
| Belief in ease of verification process | 73% |
| Voluntary verifications completed (April–Aug 2025) | 300,000+ |
These figures indicate a positive trend and growing acceptance of corporate reform across the UK.
Conclusion
The Companies House identity verification rollout, starting 18 November 2025, is a major shift aimed at securing the UK’s business environment.
By understanding the rules, acting early, and verifying identities through trusted systems like GOV.UK One Login, companies can stay compliant and protect their operations.
This reform ensures greater transparency, supports growth, and builds confidence in the corporate register. For directors and PSCs, the message is clear: verify early, stay informed, and be ready to comply.
FAQs About Companies House Identity Verification
Will identity verification be required for LLP members and corporate directors?
No, these requirements will begin later, after the initial phase starting 18 November 2025.
Can someone verify their identity if they don’t have a smartphone?
Yes, GOV.UK One Login allows verification via a browser or, in some cases, through the Post Office.
What is a personal verification code and how is it used?
Once verified, individuals receive a code to link their verification to each company role they hold.
How will Companies House communicate verification deadlines?
Notifications will be sent to the registered company email address and viewable in Companies House login.
Is the verification process the same for each company a director is involved in?
Yes, the identity is verified once, but a verification statement is needed for each company role.
What support is available for those unfamiliar with digital systems?
GOV.UK offers contact centre and Post Office verification support for low digital confidence users.
Will verification be needed again in the future?
In most cases, it is a one-off process unless the law changes or identity details are updated.
