Every company director and person with significant control now has to verify their identity with Companies House. The 12-month transition for existing directors ends in mid-November 2026, and Companies House figures published in July showed only 55% of directors had told it they were verified.
Who has to verify
- New directors and PSCs, before they are appointed or before the company is incorporated. This has applied since 18 November 2025.
- Existing directors, before the company files its next confirmation statement.
- Existing PSCs, within a 14-day window set for them. A PSC who is also a director has the 14 days starting the day after the company's confirmation statement date.
How to verify
There are two routes.
- Yourself, free, through GOV.UK One Login. You use the GOV.UK ID Check app with photo ID, such as a passport or UK driving licence.
- Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). An accountant or other regulated firm registered with Companies House checks your identity for you. BPC Partners is a registered ACSP.
Either way, Companies House issues an 11-character personal code. Keep it safe. You need it for every company role you hold.
Using your personal code
For an existing director, the code goes into the company's next confirmation statement. If you are a director of more than one company, give the code for each. The confirmation statement cannot be filed until every director has verified.
What happens if you don't
Failing to verify is an offence, and the company will be unable to file its confirmation statement. Companies House has said it will take enforcement action once the transition ends.
What to do now
- Check your company's confirmation statement date on the Companies House register.
- Verify through GOV.UK One Login, or ask us to verify you.
- Send us your personal code if we file your confirmation statement.
For the wider picture, see what the Companies House changes mean for a small company. To have us verify you, contact us or call 01242 226789.
