Companies House has confirmed a major change that affects every UK company director and person with significant control (PSC). From 18 November 2025, it will be a legal requirement to verify your identity before you can file your company’s confirmation statement.
This is part of wider reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, aimed at reducing fraud and misuse of the UK company register. While the new rules will apply to directors and PSCs from November, identity verification for limited partnerships, corporate directors, and officers of corporate PSCs will follow at a later date.
What directors need to do
If you are a company director, you will need to verify your identity before your next confirmation statement is due. You must provide your personal code and a verification statement with that filing. This process needs to be completed for each company you are a director of, although your personal code remains the same.
Failure to comply means your company will not be able to submit its confirmation statement, potentially leading to compliance issues.
What PSCs need to do
People with significant control (PSCs) must also verify their identity and provide their personal code. If you have already verified your identity as a director, you do not need to do it again. However, you still need to link your verified identity to each company role you hold.
Each PSC will have a 14-day window to complete the verification, with timing depending on when you were registered and whether you are also a director.
How to verify
There are two main ways to verify your identity:
- Use GOV.UK One Login, which guides you through the process online
- Ask an authorised corporate service provider, such as your accountant or solicitor, to verify on your behalf
Verification is a two-step process: first, you prove your identity and receive a personal code; second, from 18 November onwards, you link that code to your company roles.
Do not delay
Companies House recommends starting the process early, especially if you are based overseas or act for more than one company. If your company cannot file its confirmation statement due to missing identity verification, it risks falling out of good standing.
You can check your confirmation statement due date and start the verification process via the Companies House website.