From 18 November 2025, Companies House ID checks become a legal requirement for directors and people with significant control (PSCs). For most SMEs, the practical impact shows up when you file your next confirmation statement after that date. If the right people are not verified and you cannot provide their personal codes, the submission can fail and you are into chasing and delay. Do it early, stay painless.
The UK company population is also still growing. The Office for National Statistics reported that the number of companies rose by 1.8% between March 2024 and March 2025. Companies House put the total register size at 5,454,109 at the end of September 2025 (Companies House, 2025).
Below we set out who needs to act, when it needs doing, and how we can keep Companies House ID checks from becoming a last-minute scramble.
Companies House ID checks: Who must verify
For most owner-managed businesses, Companies House ID checks focus on two roles:
- Directors: Anyone currently appointed, plus anyone you appoint from 18 November 2025 onwards.
- PSCs: Anyone who meets the “person with significant control” tests, including many majority shareholders.
Once someone verifies, they receive a unique Companies House personal code. They use the same code for every role they hold, so a director with multiple companies verifies once and reuses the code (Companies House, 2025).
Two practical reminders that prevent most problems:
- Personal code: Keep it safe and only share it with trusted filers (Companies House, 2025).
- Email address: Each director needs their own GOV.UK One Login details because an email address can only be used once to verify an identity (Verify your identity for Companies House).
When directors and PSCs need to act
18 November 2025 is the start date, not a deadline. Companies House has confirmed a 12-month transition period and estimates 6 to 7 million individuals will need to verify by mid-November 2026 (Companies House, 2025). Your due date depends on the role and the company.
- New director appointments from 18 November 2025: The individual must complete Companies House ID checks and provide their personal code as part of the appointment or incorporation filing.
- Existing directors: You provide personal codes when you file the company’s next confirmation statement during the transition.
- New PSCs from 18 November 2025: The PSC must verify and provide their personal code and verification statement within 14 days of being added.
- Existing PSCs: The 14-day window varies, and it can be linked to the confirmation statement date or to the PSC’s birth month shown on the register.
A director example: If your confirmation statement is due on 15 February 2026, that filing will require personal codes for the directors. If one director has not completed Companies House ID checks, you may not be able to file until they do.
A PSC example: If a PSC is not a director and their birth month on the public register is shown as March, their 14-day window may start on 1 March 2026.
How to complete Companies House ID checks and get your personal code
You can complete Companies House ID checks in one of two ways:
- Self-verification: Use GOV.UK One Login and eligible photo ID, such as a biometric passport or UK photocard driving licence.
- ACSP verification: Use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as an accountancy firm registered to complete checks on your behalf.
Self-verification often works well for one or two directors. The ACSP route can help where you have multiple directors or someone who struggles with online ID checks. Once the code is issued, store it securely and be ready to use it whenever Companies House asks you to confirm you are verified.
What changes at your next confirmation statement
This is where Companies House ID checks stop being background noise.
For existing directors, Companies House says you will need to provide each director’s personal code in the company’s next confirmation statement filing from 18 November 2025. That makes the statement a compliance gate. Missing codes can mean:
- Failed filing: You may be unable to submit until the missing individual verifies.
- Commercial friction: Lenders, suppliers, and customers often check filings before they say yes.
- Extra cost: Chasing and rework burns time, and time is money.
This is why we recommend treating Companies House ID checks like VAT registration or CIS setup – do it early, document it, and keep it out of the panic zone. If you already use our dates and deadlines reminders, we can align actions to your confirmation statement date.
Common pitfalls and quick fixes
We are seeing the same issues repeat:
- Shared logins: Two directors cannot verify using the same email address.
- Assuming PSCs follow directors: PSC deadlines can differ, so check each PSC separately.
- Loose code handling: Treat the personal code as sensitive, not something to paste into a shared WhatsApp chat.
If you want us to coordinate this, we can manage the chasing, keep a clear record of who has verified, and support the filing process. Start with our services and then tell us how your director and shareholder setup works.
What to do next if you want this off your desk
Companies House ID checks do not change how you serve customers or keep cashflow healthy. But they can block a filing if you leave them too late.
There is also a clear risk warning behind the policy. GOV.UK advises people not to sell or give away their identity to enable others to set up or run a company, because criminals can take out loans and other debt in your name, and you can become legally responsible. That is another reason to keep Companies House ID checks controlled and properly documented.
Our practical approach is:
- Verify early: Get directors and PSCs verified well before the confirmation statement is due.
- Map roles: List every director and PSC, then note the deadline trigger for each.
- Build it into onboarding: New directors, investors, and shareholders should not join without a plan for Companies House ID checks.
- Keep evidence: Store personal codes securely and record who you shared them with.
If you want a straightforward way to get compliant, speak to us about Companies House ID checks now. We’ll map your directors and PSCs, align everything to your confirmation statement dates, and keep the filings moving. Book a call and we’ll get started.
