Companies House ID verification: a guide for firms

Identity verification is now a legal requirement at Companies House. For accountancy practices it means a wave of client questions, blocked filings and a new piece of work to manage across the whole client list. Here is what practices need to know.

Who has to verify

Since 18 November 2025, identity verification has applied to company directors (including LLP members) and people with significant control (PSCs). A new director must verify before they can be appointed, and anyone forming a new company must do the same.

When existing directors and PSCs must verify

• Existing directors:each director's personal code must be provided with the company's next confirmation statement. A company cannot file its confirmation statement until all of its directors are verified.
• PSCs who are also directors:the PSC verification is due within 14 days starting from the day after the company's confirmation statement date.
• PSCs who are not directors: they verify within the first 14 days of their birth month.
• New PSCs: when they are added to the register, or within 14 days of being added.

How to verify

There are two routes:

1. Directly with Companies House, using the free GOV.UK One Login service.
2. Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) - for example an accountant registered with Companies House and supervised for anti-money laundering.

Either way, the person receives a unique personal code. It is needed for confirmation statements, director appointments and PSC filings, and should be kept as securely as a UTR.

What happens if someone does not verify

Companies House can treat it as an offence, with a fine or financial penalty, and may note it against the person's name on the public register. In practice the first problem most clients hit is simpler: the confirmation statement cannot be filed.

A practical plan for your practice

1. List every client company with its confirmation statement date and every director and PSC.
2. Record who is already verified and who holds a personal code.
3. Work back from each confirmation statement date and contact clients well in advance.
4. Decide whether your firm will verify clients as an ACSP or guide them through GOV.UK One Login.
5. Collect personal codes securely and keep the tracker current as directors change.

How ZAH can help

Our business setup and support and due diligence teams can build and run the tracker for your client list, prepare the reminders and organise the information directors need - so your team only handles the decisions. Talk to us.

Based on Companies House guidance at the time of writing. Always check the latest GOV.UK guidance.