The rollout of Companies House identity checks will begin on 18 November 2025, marking a major step in the UK’s efforts to improve corporate transparency. From this date, directors, LLP members, and persons with significant control (PSCs) will all be required to verify their identity. The timing of when each individual must complete verification will depend on their company’s next confirmation statement deadline.
What Directors Need to Know
All existing directors will need to complete Companies House identity checks. Directors with multiple roles will only need to verify once.
Once verified, each director will receive an 11-character personal code. This code must be submitted when the company files its first confirmation statement on or after 18 November 2025.
If a company’s confirmation statement is due shortly after that date, it might be worth filing early. Doing so could defer the verification deadline by up to a year, until November 2026.
Directors appointed on or after 18 November 2025 will be required to verify their identity and submit the code as part of the appointment process.
Verification for corporate directors will be introduced at a later stage.
Requirements for Limited Liability Partnerships
Members of a limited liability partnership (LLP) must complete Companies House identity checks on the same basis as company directors.
Identity Verification for PSCs
Persons with significant control (PSCs) must also verify their identity. The timing and process will depend on whether they also act as a company director:
- PSC and director of the same company: A personal code must be submitted separately for each role. For the PSC role, the code must be submitted within 14 days of the company’s confirmation statement date.
- PSC but not a director: The submission deadline is linked to their birth month. For example, someone born on 28 January must submit their code between 1 and 14 January 2026.
- New PSCs from 18 November onwards: Individuals added to the register will have 14 days from registration to verify their identity and submit their code.
Final Thoughts
These new Companies House identity checks form part of a broader push under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act to tackle fraud and increase trust in the UK’s corporate register.
The shift toward identity verification reflects a broader strategy to modernise company law, such as new digital reporting obligations due to come into force from 2026.
Directors, PSCs, and LLP members should start planning now to make sure they meet their obligations on time.
For more information, you can read the latest Companies House guidance on identity verification.