Director ID Checks – What You Need to Do
Introduction
If you’re a company director, there’s a big change coming from 18 November 2025 that you can’t afford to miss.
From that date, all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) will be legally required to verify their identity with Companies House. It’s part of the government’s new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, aimed at preventing fraud and improving trust in UK companies.
This new rule applies to every UK-registered company, so even if you run a small business, it affects you.
When You Need to Verify
The process starts on 18 November 2025, but you don’t need to rush to do it that day. Instead, there’s a transition year. Every director must verify their identity before filing their company’s next confirmation statement.
For example, if your confirmation statement is due on 31 March 2026, all your company’s directors must be verified before that date. If they’re not, you won’t be able to submit your confirmation statement, which could lead to fines or compliance issues.
If you’re a director of more than one company, you’ll use the same personal code each time, but you’ll need to link it separately to each company and role.
How to Verify Your Identity?
You can verify your ID quick & easy online:
Directly through Companies House
Use the “Verify your identity for Companies House” online service, which works through GOV.UK One Login.
You’ll be asked a few quick questions and can verify using your:
Passport
UK driving licence
Or another approved form of photo ID
Once done, you’ll receive a personal code. Keep it safe because you’ll will use it each time you file as a director.
You can start the process here: Verify your identity for Companies House
Please note that if your accountant can’t confirm your identity, they are legally required to disengage you from working with them. So make sure you verify your ID before your next confirmation statement is due.
If You’re a Person with Significant Control (PSC)
Every PSC will also need to provide their personal code. You’ll have 14 days to do this from the date you’re required to verify.
The dates will depend on whether:
You were already a PSC before 18 November 2025
Or you become one after that date
If you’re both a director and a PSC, you’ll just use your same personal code for both roles (you’ll link it twice within your filings, but you only verify once).
Why it matters
If you don’t verify your identity:
You won’t be able to file your company’s confirmation statement
Your company could face fines or be struck off
You’ll be flagged as non-compliant under the new transparency rules
So it’s worth getting this done early, especially if your company has multiple directors or anyone based outside the UK who may need extra time to complete verification.
