Identity verification for Companies House became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025. If you are a director of a UK company, or a person with significant control (PSC), you need to verify your identity and give Companies House your personal code at the right time.
This article reflects Companies House guidance as at 5 November 2026. The rules are still being phased in, so check the GOV.UK guidance on verifying your identity for Companies House before you act.
TaxSpex is not an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) and does not offer identity verification. We explain what that means for you at the end of this article.
Who needs to verify
According to Companies House, the following people need to verify their identity:
- directors, and equivalent roles such as LLP members, general partners and managing officers
- directors of overseas companies registered in the UK
- people with significant control (PSCs)
- Authorised Corporate Service Providers, also known as Companies House authorised agents
Companies House says verification will later extend to other groups, including people who file on behalf of a company. Most people only need to verify once, and you should not verify again unless Companies House tells you to.
When existing directors need to verify
If you are already a director, you provide your personal code in your company's next confirmation statement filing. If you are a director of more than one company, you provide it for each company, at each company's confirmation statement.
Companies House says a company will be unable to file its confirmation statement unless all its directors are verified.
The Companies House transition plan describes a 12-month transition for existing companies, starting on 18 November 2025, with verification happening through the annual confirmation statement.
New directors and new companies
If you become a director, you provide your personal code as part of your appointment filing. If you are setting up a new company, the directors provide their codes when the company is incorporated.
When PSCs need to provide their code
PSCs provide their personal code using the Companies House "Provide identity verification details for a PSC" service. Every PSC has a 14-day period in which to do this. The Companies House guidance on when to verify sets out how that period is worked out:
- PSCs who are also directors of the company provide their code twice, once for each role. As a director, the code goes in the confirmation statement. As a PSC, the 14-day period starts the day after the company's confirmation statement date. Filing the confirmation statement early does not change those dates.
- PSCs who are not directors of the company have a 14-day period linked to their month of birth: the first 14 days of that month.
- PSCs added to the register after 18 November 2025 can provide their code when they are added, or within 14 days of being added.
The exact dates depend on your circumstances, so read the guidance for your own position.
How to verify your identity
There are two routes.
Directly with GOV.UK One Login
The "Verify your identity for Companies House" service uses GOV.UK One Login. Companies House says the service is free of charge. You answer questions about yourself, not your company, and you are then guided to verify using an app, online security questions, or by entering your photo ID details and visiting a participating Post Office.
Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider
You can also ask an ACSP, such as an accountant or solicitor registered with Companies House, to verify your identity for you. ACSPs must be registered with Companies House and supervised by an anti-money laundering supervisory body. Companies House notes that they may charge a fee for their services.
Do not post or email identity documents to Companies House.
Your Companies House personal code
When you have verified, you receive a unique identifier called a Companies House personal code. Companies House explains that:
- the code is personal to you, not to your company or a company you work for
- you need it for confirmation statements, appointments and your role as a PSC
- you should only share it with people you trust to file for you or your company
- you should keep it secure, as you would your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
What happens if you do not verify
Companies House warns that failing to verify on time may be an offence, which can lead to prosecution and a fine, or a financial penalty. In future, a note may be published against your name on the public register. You may also be prevented from being appointed as a director, registering a new company or registering as an ACSP. Directors and PSCs who continue to act after their deadline without verifying may be committing an offence, and so may the company.
What is changing for agents
At present, only agents that plan to verify their clients' identities need to register as an ACSP. Companies House says all agents filing on behalf of clients will need to register in future.
The Companies House transition plan (as at 5 November 2026) says the requirements for third-party agents filing on behalf of companies to be registered as an ACSP, and for presenters to be identity verified, will come in no earlier than November 2027. Companies House has said it will give at least six months' notice before these requirements take effect. This is separate from the ACSP guidance, which says registered ACSPs will be able to file as authorised agents from no earlier than November 2026: one date is when the option opens, the other is when registration becomes mandatory for agents who file.
TaxSpex and identity verification
TaxSpex is not an Authorised Corporate Service Provider and does not offer identity verification. If you need to verify, use the GOV.UK One Login service or an ACSP.
TaxSpex will never ask for your Companies House personal code, your company authentication code or your identity documents. Please do not send them to us, including through the enquiry form on this website.
What we can help with is the preparation side of company filings within an agreed scope, such as confirmation statement information checks and a clear schedule of the approvals your directors need to give. The director or authorised person remains responsible for reviewing the information and approving the filing.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Verifying your identity for Companies House
- GOV.UK: When you need to verify your identity for Companies House
- GOV.UK: Being an Authorised Corporate Service Provider
- GOV.UK: Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act: outline transition plan for Companies House
- GOV.UK: File your confirmation statement with Companies House
- Companies House: Changes to UK company law
If you would like help preparing information for a confirmation statement or another company filing, see our Companies House support page. This article is general information, not advice for your circumstances.