Companies House Identity Verification

Every director and PSC must now complete Companies House ID verification. We guide you through it, do it in time, and keep your filings moving.
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Companies House ID Verification

Companies House ID Verification, Handled for You

If you’re a company director or a person with significant control, you now have to complete Companies House ID verification. It’s the headline change from the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), and with millions of directors affected and hard deadlines attached, it’s not something to leave to the last minute.

We tell you exactly what you need, guide you through verification, and track your deadline against your filing calendar. Identity verification is part of our company secretarial services, so it’s handled alongside your confirmation statement and other Companies House filings.

Company House ID Verification

What Is Companies House ID Verification?

Companies House ID verification is a one-off legal check, introduced under ECCTA, that confirms a real, named person is who they claim to be before they can act for a UK company. Once verified, the person receives a unique personal code that must be provided on certain filings, incorporations, director appointments, PSC notifications, and confirmation statements.

It applies to company directors, persons with significant control (PSCs), and from later in 2026 anyone who files documents at Companies House on a company’s behalf. Companies House estimates six to seven million people need to verify their identity.

Who Needs to Verify

Who Needs to Verify: Directors and PSCs

Director identity verification is required for every existing and new director, and PSC identity verification is required for everyone on your PSC register. If you can’t verify a person, you can’t appoint them, incorporate their company, or file a confirmation statement that relies on them. We work out exactly who in your company needs to verify.
👔 Every existing and new director
🧭 Everyone on your PSC register
📤 From 2026, anyone filing on your behalf

Identity Verification Deadlines You Need to Know

From 18 November 2025

mandatory for every new director, new PSC, and new incorporation. No verified identity, no appointment.

By 18 November 2026

every existing director and PSC must be verified and phased across a 12-month transition.
💡

The catch most people miss: for existing directors, the practical deadline is usually your company’s next confirmation statement, which can fall well before November 2026. We work out your real date.

What Happens If You File Late or Miss It?

This isn’t optional. Failing to verify when required is a criminal offence under ECCTA; the individual, the PSC, and the company can each face action, and filings without a valid personal code can be rejected. In practice, an unverified director can stall your confirmation statement, block an appointment, or hold up an incorporation. Getting verified in good time keeps your company running smoothly.

How to Complete Companies House ID Verification

There are two routes, and we’ll help you choose.

Direct Verification

Directly through GOV.UK One Login using a biometric passport or UK photocard driving licence, or in person at a participating Post Office.

Verification Through an ACSP

Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), a Companies House-registered, AML-supervised firm, such as an accountant, that can verify your identity and confirm it to Companies House for you.
For directors with overseas passports, several companies, or documents that don’t work smoothly online, going through an accountant is often quicker and avoids filing problems.

How Fair Accountants Helps

We work out who needs to verify

Directors, PSCs, and anyone filing for your company.

We calculate your real deadline

Tied to your next confirmation statement, not just the backstop.

We guide you through verification

The right route and the right documents, with no guesswork.

We keep your filings unblocked

Checking everyone is verified before an appointment, incorporation, or confirmation statement.
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Under ECCTA, identity verification has been mandatory for new directors, PSCs, and incorporations since 18 November 2025, and all existing directors and PSCs must verify during the transition ending 18 November 2026, mostly at their next confirmation statement.
It’s a unique code you receive once your identity is verified. You (or your accountant) provide it on filings such as incorporations, director appointments, and confirmation statements to prove your identity is confirmed.
Either directly through GOV.UK One Login using a biometric passport or UK driving licence (or at a Post Office) or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider such as an accountant who verifies you and confirms it to Companies House. We’ll guide you through whichever route suits you.
For a new appointment or incorporation, before it happens. For existing directors, by your company’s next confirmation statement after 18 November 2025, often earlier than the 18 November 2026 backstop. We’ll confirm your exact date.
Verifying directly through GOV.UK One Login is free. Verifying in person or through a provider, such as an accountant, may carry a small fee. We’ll tell you the cost upfront and usually roll it into your wider support.
A photo ID that can be checked digitally; most people use a biometric passport or a UK photocard driving licence. If your documents can’t be verified online, you can complete the check in person at a Post Office.
An ACSP is a firm such as an accountant or formation agent registered with Companies House and supervised for anti-money laundering that can verify a director’s or PSC’s identity and confirm it to Companies House on their behalf.
No. You verify once and receive a single personal code, linked to each company you’re involved with. We coordinate this across all your companies.

Don't Let Verification Catch You Out

The rules are alive, and the deadlines are closer than most directors think. Book a free consultation, and we’ll work out who needs to verify, by when, and handle the whole thing.
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