Identity Verification at Companies House – What Directors and PSCs Need to Know

New Legal Requirements Being Introduced From 18th November 2025

 Companies House will be introducing new legal requirements from 18th November 2025 to verify the identities of company directors and people with significant control (PSCs).

These changes form part of wider reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, designed to improve the integrity of the companies register and reduce abuse of corporate structures.

In this blog, our corporate team breaks down what this means, why it is happening, what you should do, and how our firm can support you in staying compliant.

What Are the New Changes and When Are They Happening?

New Companies House requirements mean that from 18th November 2025, new directors must verify their identity when incorporating a company or when being appointed as a director of an existing company.

Existing directors must confirm they have verified their identity when they file their next annual confirmation statement (during a twelve-month transition period).

Existing PSCs will also be required to verify their identity in line with an appointed day within twelve months of the rollout date.

Companies House estimates that this will affect approximately six to seven million individuals who will need to verify their identity by mid-November 2026.

From 18th November, Companies House will display the due dates for verification in the register for each role.

Why Are These Changes Taking Place?

 The enhanced identity verification requirements are being introduced to boost business confidence and protect against fraud by ensuring that the people behind companies are who they claim to be.

It is part of the wider efforts to modernise and strengthen the UK companies register, under government policy to tackle economic crime and support growth.

For directors/PSCs and companies, this means an improved credibility of the register. An additional benefit may be a reduced risk of being implicated in fraudulent or high-risk structures.

Key Practical Steps and Considerations

Below, we set out key steps on how to prepare and complete the requirements for identity verification and other important considerations:

1. Verify early – While the mandatory date is 18th November, Companies House encourages individuals to verify their identity as soon as possible during the voluntary period.
2. Choose your route for verification – There are two main routes to verify your identity:
   1. Directly via GOV.UK One Login: https://www.gov.uk/using-your-gov-uk-one-login which is free and verification can be completed quickly via an online app or a Post Office walk-in option.
   2. Via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) such as an accountant, solicitor or other intermediary.
3. Link the verification code to each role – After identity verification, the individual receives a personal code. From 18th November onwards, this code must be used (together with a verification statement) to link it to each company role they hold.
4. If you are a PSC or existing director – Note that the timing for verification will vary depending on whether you are already registered as a PSC or director, and whether you also hold other roles. For example, existing PSCs who are not directors may be required to verify their identity within a 14-day window, which begins on the first day of their birth month as recorded in the register.
5. Maintain supporting records – If you (or your agent) are carrying out verification under the standard (especially for those acting as ACSPs), you must confirm various details, including:
   1. the person’s full name (and any former names)
   2. date of birth
   3. home address and address history for the last 12 months
   4. email address – check it is real and that it belongs to the person claiming it
   5. keep records for seven years
6. Consequences of non-compliance – Acting as a director or PSC without verifying your identity may become an offence under the new regime. Companies House say they will adopt a “proportionate approach to enforcement” but it should not be ignored.

What Does This Mean for Your Company?

If you are a company with existing directors or PSCs, take the following steps:

• Take an inventory of who holds those roles
• Check whether each individual has already completed verification voluntarily
• Check the upcoming due date for verification in the register

If you are appointing a new director or PSC after 18th November, take the following step:

• Make sure the individual completes verification before or at the time of appointment so the filing is valid.

If you act as an ACSP or use one:

• Ensure you meet the verification standard (if you are acting as the agent)
• Or engage an agent who complies with the standard

Review your internal processes, including:

• How you handle identity verification
• Identity documentation
• Linking personal codes to roles
• Updating your registers
• Communicating obligations to directors/PSCs

Consider training or guidance for directors/PSCs to ensure they understand the process and gather the necessary identity documents early.

How Our Company and Commercial Team Can Help

If you would like support with these changes, our company and commercial team can help. We are ready to assist you with:

• Reviewing and updating your company documentation and registers to reflect the updated requirements
• Advising on the verification route that is suitable for you (whether direct via GOV.UK One Login or through an ACSP).
• Guiding you through the verification process for directors/PSCs, including preparing for and training on verification checks and record-keeping
• Advising on compliance, risk mitigation and what to do if verification deadlines are looming
• We can act as your agent (where appropriate) to ensure verification processes meet the relevant standards and requirements.

Key Takeaways – What to Remember

The introduction of mandatory identity verification for directors and PSCs from 18th November marks a significant change to UK company law and regulatory practice. Although these new requirements may feel like an added regulatory burden, it is also a meaningful step towards greater transparency and trust in the companies register. This added authentication benefits companies, stakeholders and directors alike. While the process has been designed to be relatively straightforward, it does require planning, awareness and prompt action.

Corporate Law Solicitors – Marylebone

If you are a director, PSC, or business that would like to discuss how this affects your company or if you require tailored guidance, please reach out to our team at Muscatt Black Graf. Our corporate law specialists are on hand to ensure you stay compliant and well-prepared for this next phase of company regulation.

For more information or to speak to one of our team, email us at contact@muscattblackgraf.com or click here to complete our online contact form.

This blog was prepared on 5 November 2025. It is not intended to be advice and should not be relied upon as such.