In Short
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From 18 November 2025, all UK company directors, PSCs, and LLP members must verify their identity with Companies House.
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Verification can be done online, at a Post Office, or through an authorised agent, resulting in a personal code.
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Without verification, you cannot incorporate a company, submit filings, or continue in certain roles, and may face penalties.
Tips for Businesses
Check your company records now and identify who needs to verify. Encourage directors and PSCs to complete the process early to avoid delays with filings or appointments. Make sure personal codes are stored securely and shared only with trusted people. Early action will help you stay compliant and prevent disruption.
Why You Need to Verify
The UK government is introducing identity checks to ensure that individuals listed on the Companies House register are who they say they are. These changes are being introduced for the following reasons:
- to make it harder for fraudsters to misuse company structures;
- to increase trust in the information available on the register; and
- to help ensure the accuracy and integrity of business records.
Who Needs to Verify Their Identity?
From 18 November 2025, identity verification will be required for:
- new directors and people with significant control (PSCs);
- existing directors and PSCs; and
- new and existing members of a limited liability partnership (LLP).
These verification requirements also apply to individual directors of overseas companies with UK establishments.
Verification for the following people will be introduced at a later date:
- people who file at Companies House;
- limited partnerships;
- corporate directors of companies;
- corporate members of LLPs; and
- officers of corporate PSCs.
For more information, visit https://legalvision.co.uk/corporations/verify-identity-companies-house/