Identity verification for company directors mandatory from November 2025
05 November 2025
From 18 November 2025, if you are a company director or PSC (persons with significant control) you will need to verify your identity with Companies House before you can set up a new company or file your annual confirmation statement.
The new regulations mean you now have a legal requirement to prove who you are in order to set up, run, own or control a company in the UK.
What happens when your identity is verified?
Once your identity verification has been completed and approved, you will be issued with a Companies House Personal Code which you will need to use when filing at Companies House.
This code is personal to you, not your company. You will need to keep this code safe because you will need to provide this code when you file your confirmation statement, are appointed as a company director or become a PSC.
Each company director or PSC will need to complete the individual identity verification check and get their own unique Companies House Personal Code.
IMPORTANT:
If Moore usually complete the filing of your company’s Confirmation Statement, we will only be able to file this when all the directors and PSCs have had their identities verified. You will need to share your Companies House Personal Code with us as soon as possible. We will need this code to be able to file at Companies House on your behalf.
What happens if you do not complete Companies House identity verification checks?
If you don’t verify your identity, you will not be able to make any filings with Companies House and your agent will not be able to make any filings on your behalf.
Failure to comply with identity verification requirements will be an offence. There will be a range of consequences for companies, including financial penalties, being unable to make statutory filings, the registration of a new company being rejected, and a company being struck off the register. Unverified directors may also be disqualified.
How to verify your identity with Companies House
The easiest way to verify your identity directly with Companies House using the free GOV.UK One Login service. You can create an account here.
When you do this, your identity information is automatically saved to your GOV.UK One Login so you won’t need to prove your identity again in future.
There are three ways to prove your identity with GOV.UK One Login:
- with the GOV.UK One Login app
- by answering security questions online
- at a Post Office
The method you use will depend on your device, if you have photo ID, and what type of photo ID it is.
You can find out more about how to verify your identity here.
Further advice or guidance
If you have any questions or need further support or advice, please get in touch with one of our accounting specialists today.
- Peterborough accountants: 01733 397300
- Corby accountants: 01536 461900
- Northampton accountants: 01604 654254