UK Companies House ID Verification & Director Guide 2026

Comprehensive authority guide to mandatory identity verification under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA): mandatory ID checks for company directors, Persons with Significant Control (PSCs), Authorized Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs), and statutory compliance deadlines.

1. Mandatory Identity Verification Requirements (ECCTA)

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) introduced mandatory identity verification for company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs), with the legal requirement beginning on 18 November 2025 and being phased in over a 12-month transition period. New directors must verify their identity before an application to incorporate a company is delivered to Companies House, or before their appointment to an existing company is notified to the Registrar. Existing directors must complete verification in line with their confirmation-statement requirements during the transition period. PSCs have their own verification timetable: a new PSC generally has 14 days after the relevant event to confirm that their identity has been verified, while existing PSCs are brought into the regime according to their appointed verification dates. Verification can be completed directly through the GOV.UK service using GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). The reform is intended to improve the reliability of the Companies House register and make it harder to use UK corporate structures for fraud and other economic crime.

Corporate Role / Role Category	Mandatory ID Verification Deadline	Approved Verification Route
New Directors	Must verify before incorporation application or appointment is notified	GOV.UK verification service or registered ACSP
Existing Company Directors	Verify during the 12-month transition according to the confirmation-statement timetable	GOV.UK verification service or registered ACSP
New PSCs	Generally 14 days to confirm verified identity after the relevant PSC event	GOV.UK verification service or registered ACSP
Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs)	Must register with Companies House and be supervised by a UK AML supervisory body	ACSP identity-verification service

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2. Verification Process & Statutory Penalties

• Direct route: Individuals use the GOV.UK Companies House identity-verification service through GOV.UK One Login. Depending on the individual's circumstances, the process may involve an app, online security questions, photo-ID details or verification at a participating Post Office. • ACSP route: An Authorised Corporate Service Provider, such as an accountant or solicitor, can verify the person's identity on their behalf. The ACSP must be registered with Companies House and supervised by a UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervisory body. • Personal code: After successful verification, the individual receives a Companies House personal code, which is used to connect the verified identity to each relevant company role. • Non-compliance: Continuing to act as a director or PSC after the applicable deadline without completing the required verification can constitute an offence. Companies House can also restrict filings and take compliance action.

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Key Takeaways

Identity verification became a legal requirement from 18 November 2025 and is being phased in during a 12-month transition.
New directors must verify before incorporation or before an appointment is notified to Companies House.
Existing directors must verify according to the transition timetable linked to their confirmation-statement obligations.
PSCs have separate verification deadlines, generally including a 14-day period for new PSCs to confirm their verified status.
Verification is available through the GOV.UK service or a registered ACSP, with a Companies House personal code issued after verification.
Failure to comply can constitute an offence and may prevent or restrict relevant Companies House filings.

Related UK Business & Corporate Guides

UK Companies House Annual Confirmation Statement Guide →UK Sole Trader vs Limited Company Tax & Liability Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions (6 Interlinked FAQs)

Identity verification became a legal requirement from 18 November 2025. Companies House is phasing the requirement in over a 12-month transition period rather than requiring every existing director and PSC to verify on the same day.

A new director must verify their identity before an application to incorporate the company is delivered to Companies House, or before their appointment to an existing company is notified to the Registrar.

You can use the GOV.UK Companies House identity-verification service through GOV.UK One Login, or ask a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify you. Successful verification gives you a Companies House personal code.

A new PSC generally has 14 days after the relevant PSC event to confirm to Companies House that their identity has been verified. The exact timetable depends on how and when the person becomes a PSC.

An ACSP is an agent registered with Companies House that can perform specified services, including identity verification, on behalf of clients. It must be supervised by a UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervisory body.

Yes. Companies House allows identity verification from any country through an ACSP, and the GOV.UK verification service provides the available direct verification routes based on the individual's circumstances.