Companies House identity verification: what directors and business owners need to do in 2026

Published 21 August 2026 · Last checked 21 August 2026

What changed?

Companies House has introduced mandatory identity verification as part of wider reforms intended to improve the accuracy of the company register and make it harder for false or stolen identities to be used to control UK companies.

The requirement applies to company directors and people with significant control, usually called PSCs, as well as some other roles.

Once a person has successfully verified their identity they receive a personal code from Companies House.

That personal code is then used to connect the verified identity to the person’s company roles.

Does this affect you?

It probably does if you are a director of a UK company or you are recorded as a person with significant control.

A PSC is broadly somebody with significant ownership or control of a company. In many small businesses, the founder may be both a director and a PSC.

What does an existing director need to do?

If you are already a director, Companies House says you need to provide your personal code as part of your company’s next confirmation statement.

If a company has several directors, the personal code for each director is needed.

Companies House states that a company’s confirmation statement will not be accepted until all of its directors have verified their identity.

What if you become a new director?

People becoming directors now need to deal with identity verification as part of the appointment process.

When incorporating a new company, the Companies House personal code is also required for each director as part of the registration filing.

What does a PSC need to do?

PSCs also need to verify their identity and provide their personal code to Companies House.

Every PSC has a specific 14-day period in which to provide the code and the required verification statement.

The timing depends on the person’s circumstances — including whether they were already registered as a PSC and whether they are also a director.

Companies House provides an online service where PSCs can check the dates that apply to them.

Do you have to verify yourself more than once?

Usually, no.

Companies House says that in most cases identity verification itself only needs to be completed once.

The same personal code can then be used to connect that verified identity to different company appointments and roles.

For example, somebody who is a director of more than one company can use the same personal code, although it still needs to be provided for each relevant appointment when required.

What should you do now?

• Check whether you are recorded as a director, PSC, or both.
• If you have not verified your identity yet, complete the official Companies House process.
• Keep your Companies House personal code safe once it is issued.
• Check the date of your company’s next confirmation statement.
• Make sure every director has verified before the confirmation statement needs to be filed.
• If you are a PSC, check the specific 14-day period that applies to your PSC role.

Can your accountant or agent use your code?

Companies House says you should keep the personal code safe, but it can be shared with someone who is filing on your behalf, such as an authorised accountant or agent.

It is still your personal code, so treat it as important company information rather than putting it into an ordinary shared document or leaving it where anyone can access it.

What happens if you do nothing?

This is not simply an optional Companies House housekeeping task.

Companies House says failure to comply with identity verification requirements on time may constitute an offence and could result in a financial penalty, prosecution or fine.

There can also be practical consequences. For example, an unverified director can prevent the company from successfully filing its confirmation statement.

That is why it is worth dealing with verification before the filing deadline is sitting on top of you.

The Polar view

The Companies House rules sound more complicated than the practical action most small-business owners need to take.

Verify the right people, keep the personal code safe, understand which roles it needs to be connected to and deal with it before the relevant filing deadline.

If you are unsure about your company structure or the roles shown on the register, check the current Companies House record and official guidance rather than guessing.