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

May 12, 2026

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) Companies House is taking a significantly stronger stance on corporate transparency, particularly when it comes to who owns and controls UK companies. These reforms are intended to prevent the creation and operation of fraudulent entities and, in doing so, introduce an additional responsibility for directors and persons with significant control (PSCs). Companies House identity verification.

What is Companies House identity verification?

Following a one-year transition period, Companies House identity verification will become a legal precondition for anyone acting as a director or a PSC. The process requires the production of a valid photo ID and proof of address, with a biometric passport from any country being the most straightforward option. UK driving licences, Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), Biometric Residence Cards (BRC), and Frontier Worker Permits (FWP) may also be used.

Where an individual does not hold suitable documents, identity verification can instead be completed in person at a UK Post Office or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

Once verified, directors and PSCs are issued a personal identification code, which acts as a personal identifier on all subsequent filings. This allows Companies House to have full oversight of an individual’s directorships and/or PSC status across all entities that they are attached to. Previously, it was possible for a director to be known by several different names over various entities, and it was not always possible to make the connections. The personal codes will enable these links to be made.

When must Directors complete Companies House identity verification?

The timing of identity verification for directors and PSCs at Companies House under the ECCTA is structured around a twelve-month transition period, which commenced on the 18th of November 2025. While this period was intended to provide companies and individuals sufficient time to comply, the trigger-points differ depending on whether an individual is an existing or newly appointed director or PSC.

ID Verification Requirements for Existing Directors: To remain compliant, existing directors will be required to verify their identity by the next annual confirmation statement filing for an entity for which they are a director. Until that point, directors may continue to act in their role, but have an obligation to verify their identities by the deadline.

ID Verification Requirements for New Directors and Incorporations: New directors must verify their identities before they can be appointed to an existing company, or prior to the incorporation of a new company under the new reform.

These requirements also apply to directors of overseas companies with a registered UK branch, reflecting the extended reach of the ECCTA reforms.

Identity Verification Deadlines for Existing PSCs: For existing PSCs, identity verification is linked to a fixed annual point rather than a company filing. Each existing PSC will be required to verify their identity within 14 days of their birthday falling after the Identity Verification commencement (18th November 2025). Where an individual is both a PSC and a director, their fourteen-day verification period begins from the day after the company’s confirmation statement date.

Consequences of missed verification deadlines: Where directors or PSCs are unverified by the relevant deadline, the company will be unable to make the annual event filing of their confirmation statement. Continued non-compliance can expose both the company and the individuals concerned to enforcement action. In serious cases of non-compliance or suspected fraudulent activity, Companies House has the powers to enforce through prosecution, referral to The Insolvency Service and striking off, or financial penalties (Individual penalties range from £250 – £2,000, or larger company fines). Our Company Secretarial team have seen a marked increase in correspondence from Companies House to companies that have not yet complied, threatening and taking strike-off action under their powers.

Can identity verification be completed on my behalf?

While identity verification at Companies House is a personal legal obligation, directors and PSCs may complete the process through an ACSP.

For simple corporate structures, e.g. sole directorships, doing it in-house can be straightforward. On the other hand, for large companies, group structures, companies with overseas directors, or companies which frequently shift the board, identity verification becomes less of an easy administrative task and more of an administrative burden with potential compliance issues. This is where an ACSP can be an indispensable resource that will save board time and ensure compliance under the new reform.

How can Herrington Carmichael help?

Herrington Carmichael’s specialist Company Secretarial and Corporate Governance team supports directors and PSCs in meeting Companies House identity verification requirements under the ECCTA. Acting as an ACSP, the team offers a fixed‑fee identity verification service for both UK and overseas directors and PSCs. Please contact us to speak to a member of our specialist team.

Michelle Lamberth
Senior Paralegal, Corporate
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This reflects the law and market position at the date of publication and is written as a general guide. It does not contain definitive legal advice, which should be sought in relation to a specific matter.

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