Companies House Identity Verification: What Every UK Director Must Do
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, directors and PSCs must verify their identity with Companies House. Here is the timeline and how to stay compliant.
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act is the biggest overhaul of Companies House in decades. One change affects every limited company: identity verification for directors and people with significant control (PSCs).
What is changing?
- New directors must verify their identity before they can be appointed.
- Existing directors must verify, normally by the time the company files its next confirmation statement in the transition period.
- PSCs must also verify and provide their personal code to Companies House.
Once verified, you receive a personal Companies House code that links you to your companies.
How to verify
- Online via GOV.UK One Login with photo ID (passport, driving licence) and a face scan, or
- Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as a registered accountant.
What happens if you don't?
Directors who fail to verify can face penalties, and the company may be flagged on the public register. Filing problems can follow, which matters when your year-end accounts are due.
Other changes to note
- Companies must have a registered email address
- Registered offices must be an appropriate address (not a PO box)
- Companies House has stronger powers to query and remove information
- Filing accounts will move to software-only over time — another reason to use Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent
Our checklist
- Verify each director and PSC and record their personal codes
- Diarise your confirmation statement date
- Check your registered office and email are compliant
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