If you're a company director or a person with significant control (PSC), verifying your identity with Companies House is now a legal requirement.
But verifying your identity is only the first step. You'll also need to provide your Companies House personal code for each relevant role, and the deadline depends on your circumstances.
In this guide, we'll explain who needs to verify, how to do it, when to provide your code and what happens afterwards.
What Is Companies House Identity Verification?
Companies House identity verification is a process designed to confirm that people running or controlling UK companies are who they say they are.
Introduced as a legal requirement on 18 November 2025, it aims to improve the accuracy of the Companies House register and reduce fraud.
There are two parts to the process:
- Verify your identity using GOV.UK One Login or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
- Provide your Companies House personal code to link your verified identity to your relevant company roles.
You generally only need to verify your identity once, but you'll need to provide your personal code for each relevant role you hold.
Who Needs to Verify Their Identity With Companies House?
The identity verification requirements mainly affect two groups:
- Company directors: Both existing directors and anyone being appointed as a new director, including those setting up a limited company.
- People with significant control (PSCs): Individuals who own or control a company. This usually includes anyone holding more than 25% of its shares or voting rights, someone who can appoint or remove the majority of directors, or someone who otherwise exercises significant influence or control.
You can be both a director and a PSC of the same company, and you'll need to meet the verification requirements for each role.
Other individuals, including members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs) and authorised Companies House agents, also have verification requirements. Additional roles will be brought into scope separately.
When Is the Companies House Identity Verification Deadline?
There isn't one deadline that applies to every director and person with significant control (PSC).
Although mandatory identity verification began on 18 November 2025, when you need to provide your Companies House personal code depends on your role and when you were appointed or registered.
Here's how the deadlines work:
| Your Situation | When You Need to Provide Your Personal Code |
| Existing company director | With your company's next confirmation statement from 18 November 2025 |
| New company director | As part of the appointment or company incorporation filing |
| Existing PSC who is also a director of the same company | Within a separate 14-day period starting the day after the company's confirmation statement date |
| Existing PSC who isn't a director of the same company | Within the first 14 days of their birth month |
| New PSC registered after 18 November 2025 | When first added to the Companies House register or within 14 days of being added |
For example, if you're both a director and PSC and your company's confirmation statement date is 31 March, your PSC verification window runs from 1 to 14 April.
Importantly, filing your confirmation statement early doesn't change this window.
How to Check Your Own Deadline
For more information, see Companies House's official guidance on identity verification deadlines.
How to Verify Your Identity With Companies House
There are two ways to verify your identity with Companies House. You can complete the process yourself for free or use an authorised professional.
Option 1: Verify Through GOV.UK One Login
The free option is to use Companies House's online identity verification service.
You'll be asked a few questions about yourself and directed to the most suitable verification method. Depending on your documents and circumstances, this could involve:
- Using the GOV.UK One Login app to scan your photo ID and verify your identity.
- Answering security questions online.
- Visiting a participating Post Office after entering your photo ID details online.
Follow the instructions provided by the service to complete your verification.
Option 2: Verify Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider
Alternatively, you can use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as an accountant, solicitor or company formation agent registered with Companies House.
The provider will ask for suitable identity documents and carry out the necessary checks on your behalf. They may charge a fee for this service.
You can ask your existing accountant whether they're registered as an ACSP or browse the official list of providers.
Bear in mind that the list isn't exhaustive, so an authorised provider may not necessarily appear on it.
What Is a Companies House Personal Code?
Once you've successfully verified your identity, you'll receive an 11-character Companies House personal code.
This code belongs to you as an individual, rather than to a particular company. You'll normally only need to verify your identity once, but you'll use the same personal code for each relevant company role you hold.
Keep your code secure and only share it with people you trust who need it to complete Companies House filings on your behalf.
Where Can You Find Your Personal Code?
Where you'll find your code depends on how you verified:
- GOV.UK One Login: Sign in to Companies House using the same email address you used for verification and select Manage account. If you verified after 8 July 2026, your code should also have been emailed to you.
- Authorised Corporate Service Provider: Companies House sends your code to the email address your provider supplied. If you haven't received it, contact the provider to check your details.
You can also read Companies House's personal code guidance for help accessing your code.
What Do You Need to Do After Verifying Your Identity?
Once you've verified your identity and received your Companies House personal code, you'll need to provide it for each relevant company role you hold.
If You're a Company Director
If you're an existing director, you'll need to provide your personal code when your company files its relevant confirmation statement.
If you're being appointed as a new director or setting up a limited company, your code must be provided as part of the appointment or incorporation process.
If you're a director of multiple companies, you'll need to provide the same code for each company.
If You're a Person With Significant Control
PSCs must provide their personal code using the separate PSC identity verification service, within their applicable 14-day window.
This isn't completed automatically when a company submits its confirmation statement.
What If You're Both a Director and a PSC?
For example, imagine you're the sole director and shareholder of your limited company.
You're both a director and a PSC, so although you only need to verify your identity once, you'll need to provide your personal code separately for each role.
One identity verification. One personal code. Two separate submissions.
Common Companies House Identity Verification Problems
If you're having trouble completing your verification requirements, here are some common issues and what you can do about them.
You Don't Have Suitable Photo ID
You may still be able to verify through GOV.UK One Login using another available method. Alternatively, you can use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.
You Can't Find Your Personal Code
Sign in to your Companies House account and check the Manage account section. If you verified through an ACSP, check the email address provided by your agent.
Your Personal Details Don't Match
If information such as your date of birth differs from what's held by Companies House, you may need to correct the registered details before you can complete the requirements for your role.
You Can't Meet Your PSC Deadline
If you can't meet your deadline, you can request an extension of up to 14 days through the PSC verification service.
Extensions are subject to approval, and you must make your request before your deadline passes.