The Companies House ID verification deadline is 17 November 2026, when the 12-month transition period ends. Directors, PSCs and LLP members must verify their identity, and existing directors must give their personal code with their company’s next confirmation statement. You can verify free through GOV.UK One Login, at a Post Office, or via an ACSP.
Picture this: you are running a growing business in Hertfordshire. Your accounting team is busy working on the next confirmation statement, and you assume Companies House filings are under control. Then suddenly someone asks about all directors’ and PSCs’ identity verification, and you are not sure of it.
Companies House ID verification may look like routine admin, but it is now a legal requirement, and leaving it unfinished until the last minute can block your company filings.
The verification is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. It will help make the Companies House register more reliable, tackle fraud, and generate more confidence in who owns and runs the business.
The transition period ends on 17 November 2026, but that does not mean every person has the same deadline. Here is what SME owners, directors and PSCs need to know, how to complete the process and what to do before the deadline approaches.
What Is the Companies House ID Verification Deadline?
The Companies House ID verification deadline is the end of the 12-month transition period that started on 18 November 2025 (when the mandatory identity verification regime was launched) and ends on 17 November 2026. However, directors and PSCs have different requirements depending on their role and circumstances. Missing your deadline is an offence, and after it passes an unverified individual cannot lawfully act as a director.
Under this verification, you will need to prove to Companies House that you are who you claim. You can get your verification done through GOV.UK One Login, at a Post Office, or use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as an eligible accountant or solicitor registered with Companies House.
Once your identity is verified, you will get a Companies House personal code. This code will link your verified identity to your company roles and must be shown when asked for.
Companies House estimates that around 6 to 7 million individuals will need to verify their identity by mid-November 2026. Therefore, it’s high time to treat it as a compliance task instead of regular administrative work.
Who Needs to Verify Their ID? Directors, PSCs and LLP Members
The requirement applies to several types of company roles.
Company Directors
Existing directors and people appointed as directors after 18 November 2025 are required to complete their identity verification. New directors need to verify as part of their appointment process. This applies to dormant companies too.
People with Significant Control (PSCs)
These individuals or legal entities are significant owners or have control over a company. For example, an individual holding more than 25% of the shares or voting rights in a company, or who can appoint or remove a majority of the directors, or who otherwise has significant influence or control over the company.
Members of Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
LLP members are also within the current identity verification requirements.
If you are both a director and a PSC, then you will need to verify your identity once as an individual. However, you will be required to provide your personal code in relation to each relevant role according to the applicable rules. Separate verification for people who file documents on a company’s behalf is planned for a later date and is not part of this deadline.
Companies House ID Verification Deadline: Key Dates for Directors and PSCs
The following table summarises the main dates and actions.
| Date or period | What it means | What you should do |
| 8 April 2025 | Voluntary identity verification became available | Individuals could verify before it became mandatory |
| 18 November 2025 | Mandatory identity verification began | New directors and PSCs must verify before appointment or registration |
| Existing director | Must provide a personal code with the company’s next confirmation statement | Check your confirmation statement date on the register and verify before it |
| Existing PSC who is also a director of the same company | Must provide a personal code within the 14-day period starting the day after the confirmation statement date | Check the confirmation statement date and diarise the 14 days |
| Existing PSC who is not a director of the same company | Must provide a personal code within the first 14 days of their birth month, as shown on the register | Check the birth month on the register. A PSC born in November has 1 to 14 November 2026 |
| New PSC (after 18 November 2025) | Must provide a personal code within 14 days of being added to the register | Verify as soon as the PSC is appointed or registered |
| 17 November 2026 | End of the 12-month transition period | Ensure outstanding identity verification requirements have been completed |
The most important point is that the end of the transition period is not a universal personal deadline. Existing directors provide their code with their next confirmation statement, and most will reach that date before the transition ends. Existing PSCs who are not directors follow a separate 14-day window based on their birth month. A company also cannot file its confirmation statement until all of its directors have verified.
How to Verify Your ID: Step-by-Step
Don’t wait for a letter or reminder from Companies House to get started with the verification.
Just follow the steps below and get the verification done.
Step 1: Choose Your Verification Route
You can either verify through GOV.UK One Login, at a Post Office, or get assistance from an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) like Julian Hobbs & Co.
Step 2: Prepare Your Identity Documents
Be ready with all the identity documents like passport and UK driving licence and keep yourself updated with the latest document requirements.
Step 3: Complete the Identity Check
Always follow the instructions of the verification route you have chosen. Keep your smartphone ready and be prepared for additional checks. If online verification is not possible, then check for other options.
Step 4: Save Your Companies House Personal Code
After completing the verification, a personal code will be received, which must be saved properly. Ensure it is not accessible to those who can misuse it.
Step 5: Provide the Code When Required
Keep the code ready for the relevant confirmation statement or appointment filing. PSCs must follow their specific reporting process and deadline. Verification is not complete until your personal code has been submitted for each role you hold, so repeat this for every company.
What Happens If You Miss the Companies House ID Verification Deadline?
Missing or ignoring the Companies House ID verification deadline will lead to significant legal and administrative problems for your SME business.
Failing to comply on time is an offence. After the applicable deadline, an unverified individual cannot lawfully act as a director, and the company will be unable to file its confirmation statement until all directors have verified. Prosecutions for ID verification offences have also begun.
Companies House follows a risk-based approach when deciding how to proceed on any perceived breaches.
During the transition period its focus is on education and reminders, including emails to companies before their confirmation statement date. After that, the consequences can include:
- Being unable to file statutory documents, such as confirmation statements, until every director has verified.
- Financial penalties for continued non-compliance.
- Referral to the Insolvency Service, and possible director disqualification, if an unverified person keeps acting as a director.
- Prosecution in serious cases, such as repeated offences or the use of fraudulent ID documents.
For the full detail, read the Companies House enforcement policy on GOV.UK.
What Hertfordshire Directors and PSCs Should Do Now
It is important for local SMEs like yours to avoid last-minute issues related to Companies House ID verification by making it part of your normal compliance checklist.
Start by checking the current Companies House record of your business. Make sure all the directors and PSCs are listed correctly, especially those who have joined recently, left, or changed roles.
Next, ask each of these individuals about their identity verification and whether they have received their personal code. Keep a record of who has completed their verification and store their codes securely. Prioritise PSCs who are not directors, as their window is tied to their birth month and may fall before your confirmation statement date.
Then review your next confirmation statement date and any PSC-specific deadlines. If you manage more than one company, repeat the process for each business.
By following this short review, you can help prevent a small administrative task from disrupting a more important filing.
Why Choose Julian Hobbs & Co for Companies House Identity Verification Support
You might find this Companies House compliance an additional workload which can burden your already overburdened accounting staff; in such situations, you can take third-party assistance. Julian Hobbs & Co helps SMEs across Hertfordshire and beyond manage their accounting and financial responsibilities with clear, practical advice.
Its team supports businesses with bookkeeping, annual accounts, tax compliance and wider financial management.
If you are unsure about the process or short of time, speak to your accountant and confirm the requirements against the latest Companies House guidance. If you use an outside professional, confirm their registration as an ACSP before asking them to complete identity verification on your behalf.
Julian Hobbs & Co can help you review your wider accounting and compliance arrangements and identify the next steps for your business.
Conclusion
With the Companies House ID verification deadline coming up, doing the verification at the end will lead to unnecessary stress for you and your business. Therefore, it is wise to get the verification done before the deadline, depending on whether you are a director, PSC or LLP member.
Check your Companies House record, complete identity verification, store your personal code securely and confirm when it needs to be submitted for each role. If you are unsure about the process, use the official guidance or speak to a suitable professional.
Need help keeping your business compliance on track? Contact Julian Hobbs & Co for clear, practical accounting and financial support. Book a conversation with the team and take the next step with confidence.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Do all company directors have to verify their ID?
Yes. Identity verification is a legal requirement for company directors, including existing directors and those appointed after 18 November 2025. The date by which you must provide your personal code depends on your appointment and filing requirements.
Is Companies House ID verification mandatory?
Yes. Mandatory identity verification began on 18 November 2025 under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The transition period runs until 17 November 2026, but individual deadlines may fall earlier.
How much does Companies House ID verification cost?
Verifying directly through GOV.UK One Login is free. If you use an accountant, solicitor or another registered ACSP, they may charge a fee for their service. Ask for the cost before proceeding.
Can an accountant verify my ID for Companies House?
Yes, if the accountant is registered with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Check their registration before using them for identity verification.
Do people with significant control (PSCs) need to verify too?
Yes. PSCs must verify their identities and provide their personal codes within the applicable period. Their deadline may differ from the deadline for directors.
Is ID verification a one-off process for all my company roles?
Identity verification itself is generally completed once per individual. However, you must provide your personal code for each relevant company role when required. If you are a director of several companies, check the requirements for every appointment.
What happens if I have not verified by the deadline?
Failing to comply on time is an offence. An unverified individual cannot lawfully act as a director after the applicable deadline, and the company cannot file its confirmation statement until all directors have verified.
Do dormant companies need to verify?
Yes. Directors and PSCs of dormant companies must verify their identity and provide their personal code in the same way as any other company.
Can I verify at a Post Office?
Yes. Besides GOV.UK One Login and an ACSP, you can verify at a Post Office. Companies House then sends your personal code to your email address.
