Identity Verification at Companies House: A practical guide for Directors, PSC’s and Members of LLPs
Identity verification is a legal requirement for people who set up, run or control companies in the UK. This fundamental change is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act and is intended to make it harder for criminals to exploit UK companies for fraudulent or harmful purposes.
This guide explains who must verify their identity, how the process works and what the changes mean for businesses.
Why identity verification is being introduced
Identity verification will help prevent individuals from being impersonated, reduce hidden or opaque company ownership and make the public register more reliable. For legitimate businesses, it means stronger safeguards and greater confidence in the information displayed at Companies House.
Who needs to verify and when
From 18 November 2025, directors, PSCs and members of LLP’s are legally required to verify their identity. It is expected that company secretaries and those who file company information will also need to complete the process from Spring 2026.
Existing directors, PSCs and members of LLP’s will need to complete verification and submit their personal code when filing the next confirmation statement for their company or by the 14th day of the month of their birth for individuals who are only PSC’s. Individuals appointed as directors, PSC’s or members of an LLP after that date must verify at the point of appointment or during incorporation.
How the verification process works
Most people will verify their identity through the official “Verify your identity for Companies House” service, which uses GOV.UK One Login and guides you through the most suitable option for your circumstances. Depending on your answers, you may be asked to scan your photo ID using an app, answer secure questions online or take your identification to a participating Post Office after submitting your details digitally.
An alternative route is to verify your identity through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. This option may be particularly useful for overseas directors, individuals who prefer a managed process or businesses looking for a higher level of support.
Carpenter Box clients can use our dedicated service to manage the ID verification process on their behalf. This ensures your business avoids disruption and remains compliant now that the new laws are in place.
Each individual will only need to verify their identity once and their unique code can be used for all Director, PSC and member of LLP appointments.
Your Companies House personal code
Once the verification process is complete, you will receive an 11 digit code from Companies House. This code is unique to you, not to your company, and you will use it to link your verified identity to the roles you hold. It will be required for certain filings, including confirmation statements and director, PSC and member of an LLP appointments.
Because this code grants access to sensitive filings, it should be kept secure and shared only with trusted individuals, such as an accountant or internal administrator who submits filings on your behalf.
What happens if you do not verify
If you fail to verify your identity, you will not be able to incorporate a new company, accept an appointment as a director or be listed as a PSC or member of an LLP. Continuing in a role that requires verification without having completed it is a criminal offence and could result in fines or disqualification.
Companies that allow unverified individuals to continue acting in restricted roles may also be in breach of the law.
How SMEs can prepare now
With the rules now in place, Directors, PSC’s and members of LLP’s will need to check the date that their company CS01 is due. For an individual who is only a PSC, they will need to complete IDV by the 14th day of the month of their birth. You can see your IDV due dates by looking at your appointment on the Companies House website.
We also advise that you ensure all of your details are correctly shown at Companies House.
If you intend to verify through an agent, now is an ideal time to put those arrangements in place, particularly if you have multiple directors or complex group structures.
If you are a client and would like us to handle the verification process for you, please contact our dedicated Company Secretarial (CoSec) team at cosec@carpenterbox.com with your full name, company name, individual email address and if you are a UK, EU or Overseas resident.