Identity verification is one of the most significant changes to UK company law in years. Directors, LLP members and many PSCs must now prove who they are to Companies House. This guide brings together the rules, the process, the deadlines and the practical consequences in one place, with links to detailed articles on each point.
1. Why verification exists
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 aims to make the Companies House register more reliable and harder to abuse. Before the reform, a person could be named as a director without proving their identity, which allowed stolen or fake identities to be used. Verification links each named person to a real individual. See director ID verification: what you need to know.
2. Who must verify
All directors of UK companies, members of LLPs and individual PSCs are covered. People who file on behalf of companies, such as accountants, must register as authorised corporate service providers. Company secretaries are not covered by the director rule. Overseas directors must verify as well. See non-UK directors, LLP members and PSC verification.
3. The timeline
The requirements began on 18 November 2025. New directors must verify before they are appointed. Existing directors have a 12-month transition period ending on 17 November 2026, and companies filing confirmation statements in the transition period are expected to address verification in the statement. After the transition period, all directors should be verified. Check the latest position on GOV.UK. See the deadline for existing directors.
4. The two routes
You can verify directly with Companies House using GOV.UK One Login, which is free, or through an authorised corporate service provider, which may charge. Online verification uses a passport or UK photocard driving licence and a face check on a phone or computer. An ACSP checks your documents in person or by video. Compare them in ACSP vs GOV.UK One Login, and follow the steps in how to verify your identity with Companies House.
5. The personal code
After verification you receive a personal code that links your verified identity to your roles. Keep it safe, share it only with those who need it for filings and use the same code for every company. See how to get your Companies House personal code.
6. Appointing and removing directors
A new director must verify before the appointment form is filed, and the form needs the personal code. Resignations are filed on TM01. See how to appoint a new director and how to resign as a director.
7. The confirmation statement link
The confirmation statement now includes a statement about directors’ verification. If a director has not verified, the company may be unable to make the statement truthfully, which can block the filing. Plan verification before the review period opens. See director ID and your confirmation statement.
8. Penalties and enforcement
Acting as a director without verifying, once the rules apply, can be an offence, and the registrar has powers to impose financial penalties and to annotate or correct the register. Companies can also face practical filing blocks. See penalties for not verifying director identity.
9. A practical process for companies
List every director and PSC. Tell each of them about the requirement. Give a deadline well before your next review period. Collect confirmation and personal codes and store them securely. Add verification to your appointment checklist and your annual compliance calendar. If someone is stuck, suggest an ACSP.
10. Common questions
Our director ID FAQ answers 25 common questions, from cost to documents to what happens if you change your name.
Summary
Verify now, record the evidence and build it into your annual routine. If you want help, our team can guide directors through the process and file your confirmation statement.
Example: a small group of companies
A founder is a director of four companies and a PSC of two. She verifies once through One Login and saves the personal code in her password manager. She sends the code to her accountant, who uses it for appointment forms and confirmation statements across all four companies. Her co-director in one company verifies through an ACSP because his passport does not scan. All verification dates are logged in a spreadsheet. When the confirmation statements fall due, nothing delays the filings.
What to do if something goes wrong
If verification fails, check that the document is valid and the name matches the register. Try a different document or device. If it still fails, use an ACSP. If a director refuses to verify, take advice about the consequences for the company and the board. If you are close to a filing deadline, prioritise verification of the directors involved, because the filing depends on it.
Check official guidance
Dates, forms and procedures can change. Always check GOV.UK and Companies House guidance before relying on this guide. It is general information and not legal advice, and a regulated accountant can help with specific cases.
Next steps and where to get help
Turning what you have read into action is the hard part. Start by checking the Companies House register against your own records for this topic, note any dates that fall within the next 90 days, and decide who is responsible for each one. If something does not match, correct it promptly rather than waiting for the next confirmation statement, and keep a note of what you changed and when, together with copies of any acknowledgements. If you would like a regulated accountant to take the task off your hands, our online confirmation statement service costs £100 + VAT with the £50 Companies House fee included, and our assisted option at £120 + VAT includes a call first. You can compare every option on our pricing page, explore the full range on our services page or call us on 0203 4411 258.
Keeping a clear record
Good records make every later filing quicker. Keep the certificate of incorporation, articles of association, statutory registers, minutes and the latest acknowledgements together in one secure folder, and note who has access. When a bank, lender, buyer or adviser asks questions, you can then answer in minutes. Review the folder each quarter, remove anything out of date, and make sure at least two trusted people know where it is kept and how to reach your accountant.
Frequently asked questions
Is director ID verification mandatory?
Yes. It became mandatory from 18 November 2025, with a transition period for existing directors.
Is it free?
Verifying through Companies House is free. ACSPs may charge.
Do I verify every year?
No. It is a one-off, and you keep the personal code.
What if I do not verify?
You may commit an offence, face penalties and be unable to complete certain filings.
Related articles
- The Complete Guide to Strike-Off, Dissolution and Company Restoration
- The Complete UK Company Annual Compliance Calendar (Guide for Directors)
- The Complete Guide to the Confirmation Statement (CS01) for UK Companies
- The UK company annual compliance calendar
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