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​Companies House Identity Verification - What You Need to Know

From 18 November 2025, every UK company director and every person with significant control (PSC) will need to verify their identity with Companies House.

This is a huge change – in fact, it’s one of the biggest reforms to Companies House in more than 180 years. The government is introducing this to crack down on fraud, increase transparency, and make sure company records are accurate and trustworthy.

Put simply: if you’re a director or a PSC, you won’t be able to carry out your normal company filings until you’ve completed this process and received your own personal code.

To make things easier, we’ve put together two short videocasts:

  • A full presentation which goes into detail for companies and charities.

  • A quick director guide, just a couple of minutes long, which gives the essentials for directors who need a fast answer.

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1) A full presentation which goes into detail for companies and charitable companies

2) A quick director guide, just a couple of minutes long, which gives the essentials for directors who need a fast answer.

3) Step by step how to guide to complete the online verification process 

What this means for you

Every director and PSC will need to take action. The process is straightforward, but it does involve a bit of preparation.

The key things to remember are:

  • First, check your ID is valid and that your Companies House records (like your date of birth and address) match what’s on your ID.

  • Next, verify your identity. You can do this yourself using the government’s new GOV.UK One Login system, or you can ask us at Wyatt & Co to do it for you as your authorised agent.

  • Once you’ve been verified, you’ll be given a personal Companies House code. This is unique to you, not to your company.

  • Finally, make sure you comply by keeping that code safe and using it whenever Companies House asks for it – for example, in your confirmation statement.

  • 👉 You can start the process yourself here: Verify your identity for Companies House (GOV.UK)

Why is this happening?

The new rules come from the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. Until now, Companies House has largely taken filings “at face value” without checking that the people named as directors or PSCs are who they say they are. This has left the system open to abuse.

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By introducing identity verification, the government hopes to stop fraudsters hiding behind fake names, improve public confidence in company records, and bring the UK in line with international anti-money-laundering standards.

Who needs to verify?

This isn’t just for large businesses – it applies to all companies registered with Companies House, including charitable companies.

You’ll need to verify if you are:

  • A company director.

  • A person with significant control (PSC) – someone who owns or controls more than 25% of shares or voting rights, who can appoint or remove directors, or who otherwise has significant influence over the company.

  • For charities, PSCs might be a founder, a parent charity that owns a trading subsidiary, or even a national body that appoints trustees.

Authorised agents, like accountants and solicitors who file documents on behalf of companies, will also have to be registered and verified.

When do you need to do it?

The rules officially start on 18 November 2025, but there’s a transition period to give existing directors and PSCs time to get sorted.

  • New directors and PSCs (after 18 November 2025): must verify immediately at the point of appointment or incorporation.

  • Existing directors: must verify before filing their company’s next confirmation statement that’s due after 18 November 2025. For some companies, that could be just weeks after the law comes in.

  • Existing PSCs: must verify within a 14-day window. If you’re also a director, this ties in with your company’s confirmation statement. If you’re only a PSC, the 14-day period is linked to your birth month.

For example:

  • If your confirmation statement is due in January 2026, you’ll need to verify by then – only two months after the law takes effect.

  • If you’re a PSC with a birthday in July, your deadline will be the first two weeks of July 2026.

What is the personal code?

Once you’ve successfully verified your identity, you’ll be issued with a personal Companies House code.

This is:

  • A unique identifier that belongs to you, not your company.

  • Something you’ll need for every company role you hold – so if you’re a director of three companies, the same code is used for all three.

  • Needed for filings like confirmation statements and for linking PSC status.

It’s really important that you keep your code safe. Think of it like your HMRC UTR number – it’s personal, confidential, and should only be shared with trusted professionals such as your accountant. Companies House will never ask for it over the phone.

How do you verify?

You’ve got two options:

  1. Do it yourself (free):

    • Use the GOV.UK One Login system.

    • You’ll need a valid passport or driving licence and your own personal email address.

    • Verification can be done on the app, online, or by visiting a Post Office.

  2. Let us handle it for you (chargeable):

    • As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), Wyatt & Co will be able to carry out the process on your behalf.

    • This can be especially helpful if you have multiple directors or trustees, or if you’d prefer us to manage everything securely.

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What happens if you don’t verify?

The consequences of not verifying are serious. You will not be able to file your company’s confirmation statement, and new director appointments could be rejected. Over time, this could lead to fines, disqualification, or even the company being struck off the register.

How Wyatt & Co can help

We’re in the process of registering as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) so that we can carry out identity verification for our clients.

We’ll be offering:

  • A DIY support option – step-by-step guidance if you’d prefer to use GOV.UK One Login yourself.

  • A managed service – where we verify your identity, link your code to your company records, and keep everything compliant.

Other firms are charging between £45–£250 per person for this service. We’ll be setting a clear and competitive fee so you know exactly what to expect.

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