New Companies House Identity Verification Requirements – Effective 18 November 2025

Important changes are being introduced by Companies House which will affect all Company Directors and Persons with Significant Control (“PSCs”).

From 18 November 2025, Companies House will require all directors and persons with significant control of both newly incorporated and existing companies to complete identity verification as part of reforms designed to improve transparency and reduce economic crime.

What this means for you

New Companies: Directors and PSCs must have verified their identity before a company can be incorporated.
Existing Companies: From 18 November 2025, confirmation statements can only be filed for a company where the Directors and PSCs identity has been verified. The company’s confirmation statement date is the deadline for all individuals to complete this process.

Failure to comply with these new requirements could result in penalties and restrictions at Companies House.

What information is required for verification

Individuals will need to provide:


Full name	The name(s) you use now and any previous names if applicable.
Date of birth	Full date of birth is required.
Address	You will need to give the address you live at, when you started living at your present address and any address you lived at in the previous 12 months.
Email address	A valid email to create or use with GOV.UK One Login. This is also used to send your “personal code” once identity is verified.
Photo ID	• Biometric passport (from any country)
	• UK photo driving licence (full or provisional)
	• UK biometric residence permit/card; or
	• UK Frontier Worker Permit

Woman using a laptop, partially pixelated to obscure her face. Text:

How to complete verification

There are two options available to you:

Self-verification through Companies House

You will be able to complete the process directly via the Companies House online portal.
Each director and PSC will need to follow the steps provided by Companies House.

Verification via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider ( in most cases, your accountant ) can complete the verification process on your behalf.
This service will most likely be chargeable per individual.

What else may be asked depending on situation

In addition, depending on which route you take, or whether all required documents are in order, you may have to:

Go to a Post Office in person for part of the verification (if you lack some of the required photo IDs).
Provide extra documents (e.g. utility bills, council tax bill, bank statements)
Answer security questions or provide your National Insurance Number

What the individual gets / what they must do afterwards

Once successful, you will get a Companies House personal code. This is unique to you (not the company), and you must use it when required (e.g. when filing confirmation statements, when being appointed as director or PSC) from 18 November 2025. You must link their verified identity (via that personal code) to their existing roles (director / PSC) when prompted or required.

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