Companies House ID verification: the 18 November 2026 deadline
Since 18 November 2025, identity verification has been a legal requirement for company directors and people with significant control (PSCs). Existing directors were given a 12-month transition period, which ends on 18 November 2026.
When you have to do it
- Existing directors: give your Companies House personal code in your company's next confirmation statement. If you're a director of more than one company, you do this for each one.
- PSCs who are also directors: provide your PSC code within 14 days, starting the day after the company's confirmation statement date.
- PSCs who aren't directors: provide your code within the first 14 days of your birth month.
- New directors: must verify before they're appointed.
What happens if you don't
It's unlawful to act as a director without verifying. Companies House can issue financial penalties to the company or the director, prosecute, refer cases to the Insolvency Service and, in serious cases, remove the company from the register.
What to do now
- Verify your identity on GOV.UK using the GOV.UK One Login app, or at a Post Office, or through an authorised agent such as your accountant.
- Keep your personal code safe. You'll need it for the confirmation statement.
- Check your company's next confirmation statement date on the Companies House register.
- If you have co-directors or other PSCs, make sure they've done theirs too.
It only takes a few minutes online for most people, so don't leave it until your filing deadline.
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General information only, not professional advice. Correct as at the date shown; rules change, so check GOV.UK or with an accountant before acting.