From 18 November 2025, new legal requirements come into force: all company directors and “persons with significant control” (PSCs) must verify their identity with Companies House
Who this affects
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Directors (new and existing) of limited companies, LLPs, etc.
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People with Significant Control (PSCs) — those who own or control a company.
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Agents or third parties (such as company secretaries) who file information for companies.
What you need to do
Verify your identity
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Use the GOV.UK One Login service to complete identity verification directly with Companies House.
Get your personal code
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Once verified, you’ll receive a Companies House personal code.
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This code is linked to you, not just to any one company.
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Existing directors will need to supply this personal code when they file their next confirmation statement, within a 12-month transition period.
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PSCs will have a 14-day window linked to either their “confirmation statement date” or, if they join after 18 Nov, within 14 days of being added to the register.
- If you're an existing client of ours, please share your personal code with your client manager as soon as possible.
Why this is being introduced
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The change is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, designed to boost the reliability of company data and reduce fraud.
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Companies House says this will make it harder to hide behind fake or stolen identities.
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The process is being phased in to ease the burden: a 12-month roll-out starts now, with an estimated 6–7 million people needing to verify.
What if you don’t comply
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Failure to verify by your due date could lead to fines or other penalties.
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Without verification, you may be unable to carry out certain filings, such as confirmation statements.
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Companies House is also clear that continuing to act as a director without verifying can be an offence, potentially leading to disqualification.
Tips to make it easier
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Start early: Even though there’s a 12-month window, it’s best not to leave it to the last minute.
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Keep your personal code safe — don’t share it except with trusted parties, because it’s linked to your identity.