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UK Companies House identity verification: what every director and PSC must do now

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, identity verification at Companies House became mandatory on 18 November 2025 for all UK company directors and people with significant control. Existing directors and PSCs must verify — via GOV.UK One Login or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider — during a 12-month transition ending around November 2026. Acting as an unverified director is a criminal offence.

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SnapLedger Editorial
The SnapLedger team on accounting, tax and building a global financial platform.
July 10, 2026·5 min read
Regulatory updateEffective November 18, 2025Last reviewed July 10, 2026Reviewed by SnapLedger Editorial

This article is general information, not tax advice. Regulations change — verify the current rules with the official sources below before acting.

Running a UK limited company just gained a new, unavoidable step: proving who you are to Companies House.

What changed

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), Companies House has moved from a passive register to an active gatekeeper. The headline change for business owners is mandatory identity verification for the people behind every company.

Mandatory from18 November 2025

From 18 November 2025, identity verification became a legal requirement. Anyone forming a new company must verify first; every existing company must bring its people into line during a transition period.

Who must verify

Verification applies to the individuals who control or file for a company:

  • Directors — every director, new and existing.
  • People with Significant Control (PSCs) — typically anyone owning or controlling more than 25% of the company.
  • Anyone filing on a company's behalf, including you if you file your own confirmation statement.

Companies House estimates that 6 to 7 million people will need to verify by the end of the transition.

How to verify

There are two routes, and both are straightforward:

  • Directly with Companies House, using your GOV.UK One Login — usually a few minutes with a passport, driving licence or similar document.
  • Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) — an accountant, formation agent or similar who is registered to verify on your behalf.

Verification is free, you do it once as an individual, and you can do it early — before your company's deadline.

Deadlines and penalties

Transition endsaround November 2026

Existing directors and PSCs must be verified by their due date within the 12-month transition, which runs to around mid-November 2026. New incorporations must verify up front.

This is not optional paperwork. Continuing to act as a director after your deadline without verifying is a criminal offence — for the individual, and potentially for the company and its other officers. The simplest protection is to verify early and keep the confirmation on file.

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General information about UK company law, current as of the review date above, and not legal or tax advice. Requirements and dates change — confirm the current position with Companies House (gov.uk) or a qualified adviser.

Frequently asked questions

Who has to verify their identity with Companies House?

Every director and person with significant control (PSC) of a UK company — new and existing — plus anyone who files on a company's behalf. From 18 November 2025 it is a legal requirement; existing directors and PSCs must complete it during a 12-month transition, by their due date, by around mid-November 2026. Companies House estimates 6–7 million people are affected.

How do I verify, and what happens if I don't?

You can verify directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) such as an accountant or formation agent. Continuing to act as a director after your deadline without verifying is a criminal offence — for you and potentially for the company. Verifying early is free and takes only a few minutes.

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Finance

Official sources

united-kingdomcompanies-houseidentity-verificationeccta