Companies House Identity Verification: What Directors Must Do

Companies House identity verification is now a mandatory requirement for directors and persons with significant control (PSCs). If you run a company in the UK, this is no longer something you can put off for later. It is now part of the compliance landscape for businesses, charities, and social enterprises. In this episode, we explain why these rules were introduced, what the deadlines mean for existing companies, and most importantly how you can complete the process smoothly without unnecessary stress. We also explain how our team at I Hate Numbers can help verify your identity and ensure everything is correctly linked to your Companies House records. Why Identity Verification Was Introduced For many years, the UK company register allowed individuals to form companies with very few identity checks. While that made it easy for entrepreneurs to start businesses, it also created opportunities for fraud, hidden ownership, and misuse of company structures. As a result, the government introduced the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. One of the key changes is the requirement for identity verification for company directors and persons with significant control. The purpose is simple. Companies House wants to ensure that every person listed on the register is a genuine individual responsible for the company they are connected to. Important Deadlines for Directors and PSCs The new rules officially came into force on 18 November 2025. Since then, anyone forming a new company must verify their identity before they can even begin the registration process. For existing companies, there is currently a transition period. Directors must complete identity verification before submitting their next confirmation statement. If verification has not been completed, Companies House may reject the filing. For persons with significant control who are not directors, the verification window is triggered by the month of their birth. The 14-Day PSC Window If you are a PSC but not a director, your verification deadline is linked to your birth month. From the first day of that month, you have 14 days to complete the identity verification process. This staggered system helps Companies House avoid millions of people verifying their identity at the same time. However, it also means you need to stay alert to ensure your deadline is not missed. What Happens After You Verify Once your identity has been successfully verified, you receive a personal verification code. This code becomes your permanent Companies House identifier. The important point is that you only need to complete identity verification once. If you hold multiple roles across different organisations, the same personal code will apply to all of them. However, if verification has not been completed before filing a confirmation statement, Companies House may reject the filing and flag the company for non-compliance. How Identity Verification Can Be Completed Option 1: Complete It Yourself You can verify your identity directly through the GOV.UK login system. This usually involves uploading identification, completing a facial recognition check, and confirming your details through the government portal. For some people, this process takes only a few minutes. However, many business owners find the process frustrating if documents are rejected, technology fails, or identification cannot be verified immediately. Option 2: Use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider The alternative is to complete identity verification through an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP). At I Hate Numbers, we are registered as an authorised provider with Companies House. This means we can verify identities on behalf of directors and PSCs and submit the verification directly to the register. Rather than navigating the process yourself, we take care of: • verifying identification documents • performing the necessary identity checks • submitting verification to Companies House • ensuring your personal verification code is correctly linked to all your roles For many business owners this removes the stress of dealing with the system themselves and ensures everything is done correctly. Why Many Business Owners Use Our Service Many directors choose to complete verification through us because they want peace of mind that the process has been handled properly. This service is particularly helpful if you: • run multiple companies • live outside the UK • have a complex company structure • prefer professional support handling compliance Our team ensures that your Companies House records remain compliant and that your identity verification status remains correct across your roles. If you would like support completing your identity verification, our team is happy to help. Simply get in touch through our contact page and we can guide you through the process and ensure everything is submitted correctly. Many directors find that having professional support saves time, reduces frustration, and provides reassurance that everything has been handled properly. Episode Timecodes 00:00 – Introduction to Companies House identity verification00:20 – Why identity verification was introduced01:06 – Overview of the new rules from November 202501:29 – The PSC birth month verification rule02:50 – Director deadlines and confirmation statements03:11 – Understanding the Companies House personal code03:56 – Consequences of missing verification04:36 – The two ways to verify your identity05:00 – GOV.UK self-verification explained05:21 – Using an authorised corporate service provider06:39 – Why the new rules matter for every organisation07:18 – Final advice and next steps Further Support 📘 Book https://www.ihatenumbers.co.uk/i-hate-numbers-book/ 🎧 Podcast https://www.ihatenumbers.co.uk/i-hate-numbers-podcast/ 🌐 Website https://www.ihatenumbers.co.uk If this episode helped clarify Companies House identity verification, share it with another business owner who needs to hear it. Plan it. Do it. Profit.