Companies House Director Identity Verification: What Every UK Business Needs to Know Before 18 November 2025
Running a company in the UK is about to change.
And it’s happening soon.
Starting 18 November 2025, every company director and person with significant control (PSC) will need to verify their identity with Companies House.
If you’re a business owner, company director, or are thinking of starting a new company, this reform affects you directly. It’s one of the most important updates in UK business law in years, and understanding it early will save you time, stress, and potential penalties later.
In this guide, we break down exactly what’s changing, why these rules exist, who needs to act, and how to stay compliant with ease.
Why Companies House Is Introducing Identity Verification
For years, Companies House has been the go-to register for UK companies.
However, there has been a growing problem: the system relied heavily on trust.
Anyone could set up a company in minutes. Sometimes, they even use fake names. Unfortunately, some people exploited that openness to commit fraud, launder money, or hide their real identities behind shell companies.
To address this issue, the UK government enacted the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
The goal?
To make the UK’s company register cleaner, more transparent, and harder to abuse.
And the most powerful way to do that is by ensuring every person behind a company is verified and accountable.
That’s where identity verification (IDV) comes in.
The Key Date to Remember: 18 November 2025
Type | Deadline |
New directors (appointed on/after 18 Nov 2025) | Must verify before the appointment is registered. |
Existing directors | Must verify before the next confirmation statement is filed after 18 Nov 2025. |
New PSCs | Must verify within 14 days of being added. |
Existing PSCs (non-directors) | Will be notified of a specific verification window (e.g., based on birth month). |
These deadlines mean that, over the next year, every company in the UK will be brought into compliance through its normal filing cycle.
Who Needs to Verify for Companies House Director Identity?
You’ll need to verify your identity if you’re any of the following:
Role | Requirement |
Company Director (individual) | Must verify identity before appointment (for new directors) or by next confirmation statement after 18 Nov 2025 (for existing directors). |
Person with Significant Control (PSC) | Must verify within 14 days of being added as PSC (for new ones) or by their assigned verification window (for existing ones). |
Company Secretary (if filing on behalf of the company) | May also need verification when filing on behalf of a company. |
Agent / Accountancy Firm | Agents like TAJ Accountants may be authorised to carry out IDV for their clients through a regulated route. |
Please Note: If you’re both a director and a PSC, you’ll only need to verify once. The same verification will apply to both roles.
What Identity Verification Means for Business Owners?
Identity verification simply means confirming that you are who you say you are.
Companies House will check your photo ID (such as a passport or driving licence) against a live photo or video of your face to confirm authenticity.
Once verified, you’ll receive a Companies House personal code. It’s a unique identifier linking you to all your company roles.
That personal code will be needed whenever your company files key documents (like confirmation statements or director appointments).
How to Verify Your Identity
You’ll have two options for verification:
Step 1: Verify directly with Companies House
You’ll log in via GOV.UK One Login, upload your ID document, and take a quick live photo or video. Companies House will match the two and confirm your identity.
This is quick and suitable for most UK-based individuals.
Step 2: Verify through an authorised agent
If you work with a regulated accounting or company formation agent like TAJ Accountants. We can complete the verification for you.
As an authorised agent, TAJ Accountants can:
- Handle the IDV process for you or your company’s directors.
- Check and upload documents on your behalf.
- Make sure everything complies with Companies House and anti-money-laundering standards.
This is especially helpful for businesses:
- Have multiple directors;
- Are overseas, or
Prefer a hands-off, expert-led process.
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What Happens After Verification?
When your verification is approved, Companies House will issue you a personal ID code.
This personal code must be included in certain company filings, including:
- Director appointments or resignations;
- Confirmation statements;
- PSC updates.
If a filing is submitted without a verified person’s code, it will be rejected.
That means companies can’t appoint unverified directors, and unverified directors can’t legally act in their role.
What Happens If You Don’t Verify?
Failure to verify your identity will have serious consequences:
- You cannot legally act as a director.
- Your company cannot submit filings (like the confirmation statement).
- You could be committing a criminal offence by continuing to act while unverified.
- Your company may be flagged for compliance risk or even struck off the register.
Risks of Ignoring the New Rules
Ignoring the new verification requirements can have serious consequences:
- You could be disqualified from being a director.
- Your company might be unable to make filings, risking penalties or strike-off.
- It may affect your business reputation with banks, suppliers, and clients.
The Law Behind Identity Verification
The reform stems from the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which gives Companies House new powers to:
- Verify the identities of company officers and PSCs.
- Query suspicious information.
- Remove false or misleading entries from the register.
- Share data with law enforcement.
It’s one of the biggest overhauls of Companies House in decades, designed to boost trust in UK businesses and clamp down on misuse of corporate entities.
Why The Change in Identity Verification Matters?
For most small businesses, this reform might seem like extra admin. But it’s actually a good thing.
Here’s why:
It protects your company’s credibility
By ensuring that only real, verified individuals appear on the register, it builds public trust.
It helps prevent fraud
Fraudulent directors and fake companies make life harder for genuine businesses. Stronger verification keeps the business environment cleaner.
It brings the UK in line with global standards
Many countries (including Australia and Singapore) already require director ID numbers or identity checks. The UK is catching up.
It’s good for clients and investors
Verified company information increases confidence in doing business.
It simplifies future filings
Once you’ve verified, your personal code can be reused across multiple roles or companies to make future filings easier.
If You’re A Business Owner, You Should Do The Following:
Here’s a simple action plan to prepare for the November 2025 rollout:
Step 1: Identify who in your company needs to verify
List all directors and PSCs (including anyone overseas).
Step 2: Check ID documents
Ensure each individual has valid ID, including a passport, driving licence, or other acceptable proof of identity.
Step 3: Decide how to verify
Choose whether to verify directly through Companies House or via your agent (such as TAJ Accountants).
Step 4: Plan around your confirmation statement date
Your verification deadline depends on when your next confirmation statement is due after 18 November. TAJ Accountants can help you track that.
Step 5: Educate your team
If you have multiple directors or group structures, make sure everyone understands their responsibilities.
Step 6: Keep your personal code safe
Once verified, store your personal code securely, you’ll need it for future filings.
What About Overseas Directors?
If you live outside the UK, you can still verify. But the process may take longer.
You’ll need to:
- Upload passport and live facial photo/video through Companies House online IDV; or
- Complete verification via a registered UK agent.
PS: We regularly support overseas directors and can handle these additional steps for you.
How This Affects Company Formations?
If you’re planning to set up a new company after 18 November 2025, you’ll notice an extra step in the formation process:
- You’ll need to verify the proposed director(s) during incorporation.
- The company will not be successfully registered until all directors are verified.
TAJ Accountants’ company formation service will integrate this new verification requirement automatically, ensuring new companies are compliant from day one.
What About Corporate Directors and Corporate PSCs?
If your company has another company acting as a director or PSC (called a “corporate director”), the verification rules for these entities will roll out later.
For now, the November 2025 stage focuses on individuals. But the government has confirmed that future phases will bring corporate entities into the same verification framework.
How TAJ Accountants Can Help
At TAJ Accountants, we understand that these changes may feel overwhelming. Especially for small businesses juggling day-to-day operations.
Here’s how we can make the process simple:
- Guided verification: We’ll walk you through every step or handle it directly if you prefer.
- Deadline management: We’ll track your company’s deadlines and send reminders so nothing gets missed.
- Compliance protection: We’ll ensure your filings remain valid and compliant under the new system.
- Support for overseas directors: We’ll help with document certification and international verification where required.
- Company secretarial updates: We’ll update your PSC registers and confirmation statements accordingly.
Think of us as your compliance partner. We keep your business legally sound while you focus on growth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Director Identity Verification
You’ll receive confirmation from Companies House and be issued a personal code. Your status will appear as “verified” on the company register.
Final Thoughts from TAJ Accountants
The 18 November 2025 Companies House reform is more than just another government rule. It’s a move toward a safer, more transparent business environment.
While it may feel like extra paperwork, the process is straightforward when you prepare early and have the right support.
At TAJ Accountants, we’ve helped hundreds of UK businesses stay compliant through major regulatory changes. We’ll ensure your directors and PSCs are verified smoothly, with zero disruption to your operations.
Don’t wait until the last minute, let’s get your verification sorted early.
