From 18 November 2025, Companies House identity verification moved from “nice to do” to a legal requirement. Directors and people with significant control now need to complete ID checks and link a personal code to every company role they hold. For busy SME owners, this is one more admin task – but also a genuine fraud-prevention measure that you cannot ignore.
The scale is large. There were 2.73m VAT and PAYE-registered businesses in the UK as of March 2025, and around three-quarters of all UK businesses are companies rather than sole traders or partnerships (Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2025). That is a lot of directors and shareholders now within scope for ID checks.
In this article we explain who must verify, how gov.uk One Login works, how authorised corporate service providers fit in, and what you need to do with your next confirmation statement. We also outline how we can assist with ID checks as part of your comprehensive compliance and company secretarial support.
Why Companies House ID checks matter now
The new Companies House ID checks are part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The goal is simple: make it harder for criminals to hide behind anonymous companies and strengthen trust in the companies register.
For SMEs, the main implications are as follows.
- More scrutiny: Companies House is under pressure to improve data quality and crack down on suspicious registrations.
- New legal duties: If you are a director or a person with significant control and do not complete ID checks on time, you may be committing a criminal offence and could face fines. You may also be blocked from acting as a director or incorporating a new company.
- Extra admin for owners: ID checks sit alongside existing obligations – accounts, confirmation statements, tax filings – so there is more to keep track of.
Handled early, ID checks should be a one-off task that takes a few minutes. Left to the last minute, they could delay a share issue, a refinancing, a sale or a new director appointment at a critical time.
Who must complete ID checks and by when
Companies House has set out clear rules on who must verify and how the timetable works.
The main groups
- Directors: Every director of a UK company, including directors of overseas companies registered in the UK.
- People with significant control (PSCs): Individuals who own or control more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or otherwise exercise significant influence over the company.
- Director equivalents: Members or managing officers in limited liability partnerships (LLPs) and other structures that mirror a director role.
- Authorised corporate service providers (ACSPs): Professional firms, such as accountants and solicitors, that file on behalf of clients.
- Some people who file: For example, a company secretary filing on behalf of the company.
The key timings
- From 18 November 2025, new directors and PSCsmust complete ID checks before they incorporate a new company or are appointed to an existing one.
- Existing directors must confirm they have completed ID checks in the next confirmation statement filed after 18 November 2025, during a 12-month transition window that runs to mid-November 2026.
- Existing PSCs have a 14-day window to give Companies House their personal code and verification statement, with exact dates depending on whether they are already PSCs, and whether they are also directors.
If you run a group of companies, hold multiple directorships or have several shareholders within the same family, you will need a clear plan to complete ID checks for everyone in scope across all entities.
How to complete ID checks using gov.uk One Login
Most SME directors will use gov.uk One Login to complete their ID checks. Companies House recommends this as the default route and has reported that hundreds of thousands of people have already verified during the voluntary period.
The basic steps are as follows.
- Get your ID ready: Accepted documents include a biometric passport, UK photo driving licence, UK biometric residence permit or card, or a frontier worker permit.
- Set up gov.uk One Login: If you do not already have one, create an account using your email address and mobile number.
- Use the Companies House service: Go to the official verify your identity for Companies House page and follow the prompts.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to verify your identity in the following ways.
- With an app: Using the gov.ukGOV.UK ID Check app and your smartphone to scan your ID.
- Online only: By answering security questions, for example using your bank or building society details.
- At the Post Office: By entering your ID details online first, then visiting a participating branch if directed.
Once verified, you receive a Companies House personal code. This is linked to you, not to any single company. You use the code in the following situations.
- Filing a confirmation statement: To confirm your ID checks are complete for that company.
- Being appointed or incorporating: To link your verified identity to a new role.
- Confirming PSC status: To show that ID checks are complete for your PSC position.
Keep the code secure and only share it with people who file on your behalf.
Using an ACSP to handle ID checks for you
If you would rather not manage ID checks yourself, you can ask an ACSP to do it on your behalf. ACSPs are regulated firms – typically accountants, solicitors or formation agents – that are registered with Companies House to carry out ID checks and file verification details for clients.
Working with an ACSP can help in these situations.
- You have several companies: Coordinating ID checks and confirmation statements across a group can be time-consuming.
- Your PSCs are overseas: An ACSP can advise on acceptable documents and routes where people live outside the UK.
- You want consistency: Aligning Companies House ID checks with your existing anti-money-laundering and know-your-customer processes keeps everything in one place.
We already manage company formations, confirmation statements and statutory registers for many clients. By adding Companies House ID checks into that company secretarial service, we can do the following.
- Review your structure: Confirm which directors, PSCs and officers need to complete ID checks.
- Support individuals: Provide clear instructions and support to anyone who is unsure about the process or the technology.
- Monitor deadlines: Tie ID checks to your year-end and confirmation statement dates so nothing gets missed.
If you would like us to review your current set-up, you can read more about how we work with growing businesses on our about us page.
Getting ready for ID checks now
ID checks are not a box-ticking exercise you can leave until next year. The transition period has started, and Companies House expects millions of directors and PSCs to verify by November 2026. Failing to complete ID checks on time can lead to offences, financial penalties and restrictions on acting as a director or registering new companies. That is not a risk most SMEs can afford.
A simple action plan for your business could be the following.
- Map your roles: List all directors, PSCs and entities, including dormant companies and joint ventures.
- Decide your route: Agree where you will use gov.ukGOV.UK One Login and where you prefer us, as your ACSP, to manage ID checks.
- Plan around filings: Align ID checks with confirmation statement dates, year-end planning and other key events such as fundraising or succession.
- Update internal records: Record everyone’s Companies House personal code securely alongside your statutory books.
We can take this off your plate. If you would like us to handle Companies House ID checks, set up gov.uk One Login for key people and keep you ahead of your confirmation statement deadlines, please contact us to book a short call about ID checks for your business.