Everything you need to know about Companies House identity verification

If you are a new or existing company director, Person of Significant Control (PSC) or someone who files for a company (such as a company secretary) you will be legally required to verify your identity with Companies House from the 18 November 2025.

Why is this change being introduced?

The reason identity verification is being introduced is to reduce the risk of fraud and further improve transparency, trust and accuracy of the information shown at Companies House.

How to verify your identity?

There are a number of ways you can verify your identity.

One way of verifying your identity is via the GOV.UK One Login service which will allow you to conduct your identity verification yourself.

In short, you will need to log in (or firstly register an account if you do not have one) with  GOV.UK One Login and you will be ask you a series of questions which will determine the best method of completing your verification (i.e. via an app, security questions or by entering your details from your photo ID on GOV.UK One Login first and then going to a participating Post Office).

This process can prove to be time consuming and is not straightforward, however the alternative is that you can verify your identity through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) such as Ellis Jones, to ensure the process is smooth and hassle free.

What happens after you verify?

When you have successfully verified your identity at Companies House, you will receive a unique identifier most commonly referred to as a Companies House personal code. It is important to note that this code is personal to you, not to your company or the company you work for.

If you are currently a director or a PSC you are required to use your Companies House personal code to connect your verified identity to the Companies House records. This is a legal requirement that ensures Companies House knows that the correct identity is linked to the correct role/s within the select company.

What happens if I don’t verify my identity at Companies House?

If you do not verify your identity at Companies House after the 18 November 2025 you will not be able to file your company’s annual confirmation statement or make any filings for your company at Companies House.

Any director who continues to act without verifying their identity will be committing an offence. The company is also committing an offence if they fail to rectify this. If you do not comply with the verification requirements, Companies House may take enforcement action. This may include prosecution and financial penalties for the company and its directors.

The company and its directors may also be committing an offence for failing to file a confirmation statement.

Are the identity verification requirements applicable to everyone and all legal entities?

In short, no. Identity verification requirements for limited partnerships, corporate directors of companies, corporate members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and officers of corporate PSCs, have not yet been introduced by Companies House, but Companies House have advised that they will be introduced at a later date.

How can Ellis Jones help?

As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) our Business Services experts can help you verify your identity to ensure it is dealt with efficiently and easily.

For further information, please contact Victoria Simpkin at victoria.simpkin@ellisjones.co.uk to discuss how we can assist you with this.