New identity verification regime at Companies House becomes mandatory on 18 November 2025.
As part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, a new identity verification regime (IDV) is being rolled out at UK Companies House. From 18 November 2025, which marks the beginning of the transition year, directors, PSCs and relevant officers will need to have their identities formally verified. It is estimated that there will be over 7 million people who will need to be verified at Companies House over the next year.
What this means is that you will only be able to file your company’s confirmation statement if all directors have already verified their identity. You will need to provide the personal code and verification statement for each director on the confirmation statement in order to submit a filing.
From 8 April 2025, directors, PSCs and LLP members have been able to verify their identity voluntarily with Companies House. But note:
- From 18 November 2025, it will be mandatory for all new appointments.
- Existing individuals will have just 12 months to comply – and before the next confirmation statement is due.
- By Spring 2026, anyone filing documents at Companies House will also need to be verified.
By the end of 2026, the transition period for IDV will end. Those who are not compliant may be subject to compliance actions by Companies House.
PSCs will have a 14-day period from an ‘appointed day’ (which will be determined and notified to them by Companies House) in which to provide their personal code. The dates for the 14-day period will depend on whether the PSC was already registered as a PSC prior to 18 November 2025. This will generally mean within 14 days of being listed as a PSC, your personal code will need to be submitted to Companies House. If you are an existing PSC on 18 November 2025, this date will be within 14 days of your birth month after 18 November 2025.
If you are both a PSC and a director in a company, you will need to submit a personal code for each role.
IDV requirements for limited partnerships, corporate directors, corporate members of LLPs and corporate officers of PSCs will be introduced at Companies House at a later date.
You can still verify on a voluntary basis. You do not have to wait until after 18 November 2025.
Do you need to verify your identity?
You will be required to verify your identity if you are:
- a director of a company;
- a director of an overseas company which operates a branch in the UK (and the UK establishment has been registered at Companies House);
- a registrable PSC or a company or LLP;
- a relevant officer of a registrable RLE of a company;
- an individual who delivers documents to Companies House on your own behalf or on behalf of another;
- an individual who is an LLP member (or a nominated director of a corporate member);
- a nominated director of all corporate general partners of limited partnerships.
Early verification means no last minute compliance scrambles and no disruption to company filings or appointments.
How do I verify my identity?
You can either verify directly yourself using the Companies House IDV service (available online via web service or app), or by using an ACSP. You can also have it carried out at a local post office.
Creed Solicitors are an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), (also known as a Companies House Authorised Agent). As a regulated firm, we are officially recognised by Companies House to carry out identity verification on your behalf. We are accountable to both Companies House and our AML supervisory body, giving you an extra layer of trust.
If you and your team need support with getting your identities verified, get in contact with us and we will guide you through the process.
