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Companies House ID Verification:

The Definitive Guide for UK Directors and PSCs

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If you are a company director, a Person with Significant Control (PSC), or planning to set up a new limited company in the UK, Companies House identity verification is no longer just a future proposal. It is now a live legal requirement that UK directors, PSCs and business owners should not ignore.

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Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, Companies House has introduced mandatory identity verification (IDV). The aim is to improve transparency, reduce corporate fraud, improve the accuracy of the public register, and make sure that anyone setting up, running, owning or controlling a UK company is who they say they are.

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The mandatory rollout officially began on 18 November 2025, starting a 12-month transition period for existing company directors and PSCs. With the transition period now underway, it is important to understand your specific obligations early to avoid filing delays, compliance issues or possible financial penalties.

In this guide, we explain who needs to verify, when the rules apply, the verification methods available, what documents may be required, and how DCTaxAgent can help make the process simple and stress-free.

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What is Companies House ID Verification?

Companies House identity verification is a security process that links a real, verified individual to their role on the UK company register.

Once your identity has been successfully verified through an approved route, Companies House will issue you a unique Companies House personal code.

 

The key rule about your personal code

Your Companies House personal code is assigned to you as an individual, not to your business.

This means that whether you run one small limited company, act as a contractor through a limited company, manage property companies, or hold roles in several companies, you will use your personal code to confirm your verified identity for the relevant company roles you hold.

You may still need to provide that code separately for different roles, such as director and PSC.

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Who needs to verify?

The new rules apply to many individuals involved in setting up, running, owning or controlling a UK company.

You may need to verify your identity if you are:

  • an existing company director

  • a new director being appointed

  • a Person with Significant Control (PSC)

  • someone setting up a new limited company

  • someone who owns or controls a UK company

  • a member of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), where applicable

  • a general partner or relevant officer in certain other corporate structures

For many small UK businesses, family-run companies and contractors, the director and the PSC are often the same person.

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The “double role” point for owner-managed companies

In many small limited companies, the same person is both:

  • the director, and

  • the Person with Significant Control (PSC)

If this applies to you, you usually only need to complete the identity verification process once to obtain your Companies House personal code.

However, you may still need to provide that code separately for each role. For example, your code may need to be linked once for your director role and separately for your PSC role.

This is an important point because verifying your identity once does not automatically mean every role has been correctly linked.

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When do you need to comply?

Your deadline depends on your role and your company’s circumstances.

You should not assume that you can wait until the end of the 12-month transition period. In many cases, your deadline will be linked to a specific company event, such as incorporation, director appointment or the next confirmation statement.

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New incorporations and new directors

New directors must verify their identity before they can be appointed as a director or incorporate a new company.

For new companies, identity verification is part of the incorporation process.

For new director appointments, the director must be verified before the appointment can be properly completed.

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Existing directors

Existing directors need to verify their identity and provide their Companies House personal code when the company files its next confirmation statement after the rules apply.

If you are a director of more than one company, you may need to provide your personal code for each company where you hold a director role.

This is why it is important to prepare early, especially if you manage several companies or have upcoming Companies House deadlines.

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Existing PSCs who are also directors

If you are both a director and a PSC, you may need to provide your personal code separately for your PSC role.

In many cases, the PSC code requirement is linked to the company’s confirmation statement process and must be dealt with within the relevant 14-day window.

This is an area where business owners can easily get confused, especially when the same person holds more than one role.

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Existing PSCs who are not directors

If you are a PSC but not a director, your deadline may depend on your birth month during the transition period.

For example, if your birth month falls in March, your compliance window may fall within the first 14 days of March.

This means PSCs should not wait for a general deadline. The correct timing depends on their own circumstances.

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New PSCs

New PSCs must verify their identity and provide their Companies House personal code within the required timeframe after being added to the company’s records.

If someone becomes a PSC after the new rules apply, the company should deal with this promptly to avoid compliance issues.

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How can you verify your identity?

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There are two main routes available.

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Route 1: Directly through GOV.UK One Login

You may be able to verify your identity directly through GOV.UK One Login.

This route usually involves using the GOV.UK One Login service and, in many cases, the GOV.UK ID Check app.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked to verify your identity using accepted photo ID, personal details, security questions or other checks.

This route is usually free and may work well for straightforward cases.

However, it can become more difficult if:

  • your documents do not match the company register exactly

  • your name has changed

  • you have multiple company roles

  • you do not have the required digital documents

  • you experience technical issues with the app

  • you are unsure how to link your personal code correctly

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Shared email addresses can cause problems

If more than one person in a business uses the same email address for administration, it is important to be careful.

Identity verification is linked to the individual person, so each person should have access to their own email and device where required.

For example, if spouses, business partners or family members share one company email address, it may be better to set up separate email access before starting the verification process.

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Post Office verification route

In some cases, where online verification is not possible, there may be an alternative route involving an in-person check at a participating Post Office.

This may apply where a person does not have a suitable smartphone, digital access or accepted biometric document for the online route.

The exact route depends on the individual’s circumstances and the option provided through the verification service.

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Route 2: Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

You may also be able to verify your identity through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), also known as a Companies House authorised agent.

An ACSP is a supervised professional firm, such as an accountant or solicitor, that is registered with Companies House and supervised for Anti-Money Laundering purposes.

This route can be helpful if:

  • you prefer professional support

  • you are unsure which deadline applies

  • you have multiple companies

  • you are both director and PSC

  • your company records may not match your ID documents

  • you want help making sure the personal code is linked correctly

DCTaxAgent is registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), also known as a Companies House authorised agent.

We can help clients understand what applies to them, review the documents required, complete the verification process where appropriate, and support the correct linking of the Companies House personal code to the relevant roles.

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What documents may be required?

The documents needed depend on the verification route.

You may need one or more of the following:

  • a valid biometric passport

  • a UK photocard driving licence

  • a biometric residence permit or card, where applicable

  • personal details that match official records

  • your National Insurance number, where required

  • access to your own email address

  • access to your own mobile phone or device

  • additional security or address information, depending on the route

All documents should be valid, current and match your personal details as closely as possible.

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The hidden mismatch problem

One of the most common issues is a mismatch between your identity documents and your Companies House record.

For example:

  • your passport includes a middle name, but Companies House does not

  • your date of birth was entered incorrectly

  • your name has changed after marriage

  • your company was set up years ago with shortened details

  • different companies show slightly different personal details

These mismatches can create delays or cause the verification link to fail.

This is why it is important to check your Companies House record before your filing deadline.

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What happens after verification?

After successful verification, you receive a Companies House personal code.

This code may be needed for:

  • director verification

  • PSC verification

  • confirmation statement filing

  • new company incorporations

  • new director appointments

  • linking your verified identity to different company roles

The personal code should be kept safe.

If you are involved with more than one company, you may need to provide the code separately for each company and each relevant role.

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What happens if you ignore the rules?

Failing to verify when required, or failing to provide your personal code correctly, can create serious compliance issues.

Possible consequences may include:

  • delays with company incorporation

  • problems appointing new directors

  • rejection or delay of confirmation statement filings

  • Companies House compliance issues

  • possible enforcement action

  • possible financial penalties

  • public annotations on the Companies House register

  • reputational concerns if banks, suppliers, lenders or clients review the company record

  • risk of further action in persistent cases

Companies House has been given enhanced powers under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, so company records are expected to become more closely monitored and more actively enforced.

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Confirmation statement problems

For existing companies, one of the most important practical risks is the confirmation statement.

If the required identity verification details are missing or incorrect, Companies House may not accept the filing.

A rejected or delayed confirmation statement can put the company into a non-compliant position and may lead to enforcement action or financial penalties.

This is why directors should not leave identity verification until the week their confirmation statement is due.

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Public register annotations

Companies House may annotate the public register where identity verification requirements have not been met.

This could create reputational concerns and may raise questions for:

  • banks

  • lenders

  • suppliers

  • clients

  • investors

  • professional advisers

  • other third parties reviewing the company record

Even if the issue is eventually corrected, it is better to avoid unnecessary public compliance concerns in the first place.

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How DCTaxAgent can help

The move to mandatory Companies House identity verification adds an extra compliance step for UK business owners.

At DCTaxAgent, we help make the process clearer, simpler and less stressful.

We can support clients by:

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Reviewing your company structure

We check who needs to verify, including directors, PSCs and individuals with multiple company roles.

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Checking your Companies House records

We review whether your Companies House details appear consistent with your identification documents, helping identify possible mismatches early.

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Explaining your deadline

We help you understand whether your deadline is linked to incorporation, director appointment, confirmation statement filing, PSC status or your birth month.

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Acting as your ACSP

Where appropriate, we can assist through the authorised agent route and help complete the verification process.

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Supporting the personal code link

We help ensure your Companies House personal code is correctly linked to the relevant company roles, including director and PSC roles where applicable.

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Support for DCTaxAgent clients

For our active, retained accounting clients, we usually include this essential ACSP verification support within your package where required.

This helps keep your company compliant and reduces the risk of last-minute problems before important filing deadlines.

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Do not wait until your next filing deadline

Companies House identity verification is now part of the UK company compliance process.

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If you are a director or PSC, you should check what applies to you early.

Leaving it too late can create avoidable problems, especially if:

  • your confirmation statement is due soon

  • your ID documents do not match the register

  • you are involved with more than one company

  • you are both director and PSC

  • you need to appoint a new director

  • you plan to incorporate a new company

Preparing early is the best way to avoid delays and compliance issues.

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Need professional support?

If you want to make sure your limited company remains compliant, secure and properly structured under the new Companies House identity verification rules, DCTaxAgent can help.

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Contact us today:

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WhatsApp: 07587 532646
Email: contact@dctaxagent.co.uk
Website: www.dctaxagent.co.uk

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DCTaxAgent


Accounting | Tax | Advisory

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