What is identity verification?
From 18 November 2025, a new legal requirement was introduced requiring company directors, company secretaries, a person of significant control and Authorised Corporate Service Providers to verify their identity with Companies House. This was introduced with the aim of reducing fraud and improving transparency, trust and accuracy of the information stored on the Companies House register.
Who needs to verify their identity?
The following people are currently required to complete identity verification:
- A statutory company director. This is someone registered with Companies House as a director of a company.
- The equivalent of a director (including members, general partners and managing officers) if they hold the same statutory office as a director.
- A director of an overseas company registered in the UK.
- A person with significant control (“PSC”). This is someone who owns or controls a company, with a ‘nature of control’. Usually, they have more than 25% of shares or voting rights in a company; can appoint or remove directors; and can influence or control the company. For existing companies, you can view the PSC register for a company via the Companies House Register.
- An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (“ASCP”). This is a corporate provider registered with Companies House and an Anti-Money Laundering supervisory body, with permission to verify your identity. This may be an accountant or solicitor. A list of ASCPs is available here.
- Someone who files for a company, for example, a Company Secretary.
Following successful verification, Companies House will have a record to prove the identity of what are currently just names on the public register. This will help target fraud and other illegal incorporation set-ups.
How do I verify my identity?
Online using Gov.UK One Login
Log in using an existing GOV.UK Login or create a free account, then follow the online process with some questions which will determine the best way for you to verify your identity based on the answers you provide. Verification may then take place using an app and a biometric identity document (such as a valid passport), or by answering security questions online, or by entering details from a photo ID and completing verification at a participating Post Office.
Using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ASCP)
Also known as a Companies House authorised agent, this is a corporate provider registered with Companies House and an Anti-Money Laundering supervisory body, with permission to verify your identity. This may be an accountant or solicitor. A list of ASCPs is available here.
You can contact an ASCP to enquire about identity verification. The ASCP will inform you what documents they may require and what fees may be charged for this service, which can be different according to each ASCP.
I have my Personal Code, what do I do now?
Once you have successfully verified your identity, you will receive a Companies House Personal Code. This is unique to you as an individual. You will need you Personal Code to file confirmation statements, be appointed as a director or register as a person of significant control.
If you are currently a director or person of significant control, you will need use your Personal Code to link your identity to Companies House records.
If you are a person of significant control for any company, once you have verified your identity and received your Personal Code, you will need to visit Provide identity verification details for a person with significant control (PSC) - GOV.UK to link your Personal Code to the company you are a PSC of. You will need your Personal Code, your Companies House sign-in details and the company number. If you are a PSC for more than one company, you will need to do this for each company you are a PSC of.
If you are a director of a company, you will only need to link your identity verification at the time the company’s next confirmation statement is due. When using WebFiling to submit your confirmation statement, it will ask for the personal codes for all registered directors, and you will be unable to complete your confirmation statement until this is provided.
If you are a PSC and a director of the same company, you will need to provide your personal code twice. As a PSC using the specific service on Gov.UK and at the time of filing your next confirmation statement as a director.
When do I need to do this?
If you are a PSC, you will need to provide your Personal Code within the 14-day window designated by Companies House. You can check when your 14-day window is by searching your company on the Companies House Register. The window will depend on whether you are also a director of the company and if you registered prior to 18 November 2025.
If you are a PSC, but not a director, your 14-day window is the first 14 days of your birth month.
If you became a PSC after 18 November 2025, your 14-day window starts when you are added to the Companies House Register. It can be done when you are added as a PSC, or within the 14-days thereafter.
You will receive a reminder letter from Companies House if this window has been missed.
If you are a director, you will need to provide your Personal Code at the time of filing the company’s next confirmation statement. You will be unable to file the confirmation statement until all Personal Codes for each director have been provided.
If you are seeking to incorporate a new company now, you will need to verify the identity of the directors you propose to register before you are able to incorporate.
I am the director/PSC of multiple companies; how many times do I need to do this?
If you are a director and/or PSC of multiple companies, you will only need to go through the identity verification process to receive a Personal Code once. Your Personal Code is unique to you as an individual and will remain the same.
You will, however, be required to link your personal code to each company you are a PSC and/or director of. Please ensure you check and take careful note of when you are required to link for each director/PSC position you hold, as the windows may be different.
What happens if I forget to complete identity verification?
If you fail to verify your identity and link to the Companies House Register, Companies House will publish a note against your name on Companies House public register. You will also be unable to be appointed as a director of an existing company, register a new company or register as an ASCP.
Companies House have made it clear that they intend to ensure absolute compliance with the verification requirements and will take action against those who do not comply. It is important that you seek to complete the identity verification process as soon as you are able and link to existing Companies House records within the specified timeframes depending on if you are a PSC, director or both.
Companies House intend to extend the identity verification programme in the future to all people who file at Companies House, limited partnerships, corporate directors of other companies, corporate members of LLPs and officers of corporate PSC so it is important you remain alert to future changes to the requirements.
Our team of corporate solicitors at Weightmans can assist you with queries regarding identity verification and incorporation of new companies.
