By
August 24, 2026
What Is Companies House Identity Verification and Who Needs to Complete It?
Companies House identity verification is a legal requirement designed to confirm the identities of people who set up, run, own or control UK companies.
The requirements were introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. From 18 November 2025, identity verification became a legal requirement, with a transition period applying to existing directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs). Companies House identity verification guidance
For UK company owners, it is important to distinguish Companies House identity verification from the KYC checks performed by banks and payment providers. They are separate processes.
Companies House identity verification confirms that an individual is who they claim to be before or while they carry out certain roles or activities connected with a UK company.
The aim is to improve the accuracy of information on the Companies House register and make it more difficult for people to use companies for fraudulent or unlawful purposes.
Once successfully verified, an individual receives a Companies House personal code.
This code is unique to the individual and is used to connect their verified identity with their company roles.
Yes, for people who fall within the identity verification requirements.
The regime began on 18 November 2025. Existing directors and PSCs were given a transition period rather than everyone being required to verify on the same day.
As of 2026, UK company owners should therefore check the deadline that applies to their particular role and circumstances rather than assuming identity verification is optional.
Companies House states that identity verification requirements apply to people including:
The timing and method of verification can differ depending on the person's role. Who needs to verify for Companies House
Yes. All individual company directors are within the identity verification regime.
For a new company, directors need to satisfy the applicable identity-verification requirements as part of the incorporation process.
Existing directors have transitional requirements linked to their company's confirmation statement timetable.
This means that if you already operated a UK limited company before the rules took effect, your deadline may be different from that of someone incorporating a company now.
Yes.
The requirement is based on the person's role in the UK company, not simply where they live.
For example:
UK company → Director living in the UK → Verification required
UK company → Director living in Spain → Verification required
UK company → Director living in the UAE → Verification required
Being a non-UK resident does not by itself exempt a director from Companies House identity verification.
Being a shareholder alone does not necessarily mean that identity verification is required.
However, a shareholder who is also a:
may need to verify because of that role.
This distinction is important because owning shares and being a PSC are not always the same thing.
Yes.
A Person with Significant Control (PSC) is someone who meets one or more conditions relating to ownership or control of the company.
This commonly includes individuals who:
PSCs are within the Companies House identity verification regime.
You generally verify your identity as an individual, rather than obtaining a separate verified identity for every company role.
For example:
John Smith
Director of Company A
PSC of Company A
Director of Company B
PSC of Company B
John verifies his identity and receives his own Companies House personal code.
That code can then be used in connection with the relevant company roles and filings.
After successful verification, Companies House provides an 11-character personal code.
The code is unique to the individual.
Companies House explains that you may need to provide this code for each company role you hold. Companies House personal code guidance
The personal code should be kept secure rather than treated like ordinary public company information.
There are two main routes.
Individuals can verify using the GOV.UK One Login identity-checking service.
Depending on the documents and technology available, the process may involve:
The exact process depends on the verification route available to the individual.
Verify your identity for Companies House
Identity verification can also be completed through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
An ACSP could be an eligible professional intermediary, such as certain accountants, solicitors or company formation agents, that is registered with Companies House to provide verification services.
The ACSP carries out the required identity checks and confirms the verification to Companies House.
Potentially, yes.
Non-UK residents can be subject to the same verification requirement, although the available verification route can depend on the identity documents they hold.
If direct verification through GOV.UK One Login is not suitable, an individual may be able to use an ACSP.
The exact documents depend on the verification method.
Identity documents can include certain:
Not every document or country is supported through every verification route, so individuals should check the current Companies House requirements before starting.
No.
This is an important distinction.
Companies House identity verification confirms your identity for UK company-register purposes.
Bank KYC is conducted by a bank, payment provider or other regulated financial institution as part of its own customer due diligence and AML obligations.
For example, you could successfully complete Companies House identity verification and still be asked by a bank for:
Completing Companies House verification therefore does not automatically mean you have passed a bank's KYC process.
No.
Companies House identity verification has no automatic effect on whether a bank or payment provider will approve a business account.
The provider may separately assess:
Company → Directors → Beneficial owners → Business activity → Countries → Transactions → Source of funds → Risk
A financial provider applies its own eligibility, KYC and risk-assessment requirements.
Existing directors are subject to transitional arrangements.
Rather than requiring every existing director to verify on 18 November 2025, the requirements are being introduced through a transition period.
For existing directors, the timing is generally connected to the company's confirmation statement.
Companies House advises existing directors to check when they need to verify and provide their personal code. Check when you need to verify your identity
The rules are stricter for new appointments made after the identity-verification requirements came into force.
Anyone becoming a director should expect identity verification to form part of the process.
If you are incorporating a new UK company, you should therefore prepare to verify the identity of the proposed directors.
Failure to comply with the identity verification requirements can have consequences.
Companies House states that a person who is required to verify but does not do so may face consequences including restrictions on company-related activities and potential enforcement action.
A director should therefore not ignore a verification requirement or deadline.
Your verified identity is associated with you as an individual rather than one particular company.
However, Companies House may require information to remain accurate and may have processes for dealing with changes or identity concerns.
Always follow current Companies House guidance if your personal details change.
The reforms are intended to improve confidence in the UK companies register and reduce misuse of corporate structures.
Historically, Companies House largely operated as a registrar receiving information submitted by companies.
The newer framework gives Companies House stronger powers and introduces identity verification to help improve the reliability of information about people behind UK companies.
If you are a director or PSC, you should:
Do not wait until an important company filing is due before checking the requirements.
Yes, for individuals who fall within the identity verification requirements, including company directors and PSCs.
Yes. Individual directors are within the identity verification regime, including directors who live outside the UK.
Not simply because they own shares. However, shareholders who are also PSCs, directors or relevant filers may need to verify.
Yes. A non-UK resident director is not exempt simply because they live overseas.
It is an 11-character code issued after successful identity verification and used to connect your verified identity with relevant Companies House roles.
Potentially, yes, if the intermediary is registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider and offers identity verification.
No. Companies House verification and financial-provider KYC are separate processes.
Companies House identity verification is a mandatory identity-checking system for people involved in setting up, running or controlling UK companies.
The requirements particularly affect:
Directors → People with Significant Control → Relevant Companies House filers
The regime became mandatory from 18 November 2025, with transitional arrangements applying to existing directors and PSCs. Official Companies House identity verification guidance
UK and overseas directors are both affected.
Once verified, an individual receives a Companies House personal code, which is used to connect their verified identity with relevant company roles.
For UK company owners, the key point is that Companies House verification does not replace bank KYC. You may still need to separately verify your identity, address, source of funds and business activities when applying for a business account.
