Creative Takeaways
- From 18 November 2025, all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity with Companies House.
- You can verify your identity in two ways: through GOV.UK One Login or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) registered with Companies House and supervised under AML regulations.
- After verification, you’ll receive a Companies House personal code used to link your verified identity to your company roles.
- All directors and PSCs must provide their personal code within 14 days of appointment or registration, or they risk penalties, filing restrictions, or committing an offence.
You don’t have to wait until the deadline! You can verify your identity for Companies House now.
Check how Companies House explains this in their video:
Table of contents
- 1. Who needs to verify their identity
- 2. Two ways to verify your identity
- 3. What happens after you verify
- 4. Why the new verification system matters
- 5. What happens if you don’t verify on time
- 6. How to check your company information
- 7. Preparing for verification
- 8. Verify with WallsMan Creative to stay compliant
1. Who needs to verify their identity
The new Companies House identity verification requirements apply to anyone who manages, controls, or represents a company in the UK. This includes individuals and authorised agents acting on behalf of clients.
You’ll need to verify your identity if you are:
- A company director or are about to be appointed to an existing company
- A person with significant control (PSC), including existing PSCs
- A member of an LLP or an officer of a corporate PSC
- An authorised corporate service provider (ACSP) filing information for others
Verification is mandatory for new companies and will also apply to existing directors and PSCs during a 12-month transition period. Everyone added to the Companies House register must verify their identity within 14 days of their appointment or registration.
| Creative Tip If you manage several companies, you’ll need to verify your identity for each company role separately once the new system begins in 2025. |
2. Two ways to verify your identity
There are two official ways to verify your identity for Companies House.
You can complete the process:
- directly through GOV.UK or
- ask an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP) to do it for you.
Both options meet the identity verification requirements set out in UK company law.
Verify directly with Companies House
You can verify directly with Companies House using GOV.UK One Login, a secure government portal.
This route is available to anyone who has suitable identity documents:
- Passport
- UK driving licence
- Biometric residence permit
The GOV.UK One Login system will guide you through a few simple steps based on your device, your location, and the type of photo ID you use.
Verify through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
If you prefer, you can verify your identity through an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP).
An ACSP can be an accountant, company formation agent, or legal firm registered with Companies House and supervised under UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations.
This option is ideal if:
- You want support completing the process
- You’re based outside the UK
- You already use an agent to handle your company filings
Verification through an ACSP can be completed from any country, and once confirmed, you’ll receive your Companies House personal code by email.
3. What happens after you verify
Once you’ve completed the Companies House identity verification process, you’ll receive a personal code confirming that your identity has been verified. This code links your verified identity to your company roles on the Companies House register.
If you verified directly with Companies House using GOV.UK One Login, you’ll find your personal code inside your Companies House account.
If you verified through an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP), your Companies House personal code will be emailed to you directly.
From 18 November 2025, this personal code becomes essential for all company activity. You’ll need to:
- Link your verified identity to each company role you hold
- Provide your personal code within the first 14 days of being appointed as a director or added as a PSC
- Share your personal code with a trusted filer if someone else handles your company updates
4. Why the new verification system matters
The introduction of identity verification requirements at Companies House is one of the biggest updates to UK company law in years. It’s part of the government’s plan to build a more transparent and trustworthy business environment under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Requiring every company director, PSC, and authorised corporate service provider (ACSP) to verify their identity, Companies House aims to:
- Strengthen the accuracy of information on the Companies House register
- Reduce the risk of fraud and misuse of corporate structures
- Ensure only verified individuals can create, control, or file for companies
- Support the UK’s wider efforts to combat economic crime and money laundering
For example: the change is actually a good thing. Right now, the Companies House register includes lots of name variations…
- Mr. Paul A. Smith
- Mr. Paul Alfred B. Smith
- Mr. Paul A. B. Smith
- Mr. Paul A. Brice Smith
- Mr. Paul Alfred Brice Smith.
If you only search one version, you might miss the rest.
The new identity verification rules aim to fix that by confirming who someone really is and pulling all their records into one clear profile.
5. What happens if you don’t verify on time
If you don’t verify your identity with Companies House by the deadline, you’ll risk serious delays and possible penalties.
From 18 November 2025, your company won’t be able to file its confirmation statement or update any company details unless all directors and PSCs have a verified identity.
Failing to verify on time means you could:
- Be committing an offence under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
- Receive a financial penalty or fine
- Be blocked from making filings or changes on the Companies House register
You’ll also create administrative issues for your company, especially if filings like the confirmation statement or director changes are due.
Don’t wait until the deadline!
It’s faster, safer, and simpler to verify your identity now and keep your company compliant under the new UK company law.
6. How to check your company information
Before you verify your identity for Companies House, it’s worth checking that your existing company details are accurate and consistent.
A simple mismatch (wrong date of birth or an old service address) can delay the process when you try to link your verified identity to your company record.
Take a few minutes to review your company information on the Companies House register:
- Go to ‘Get information about a company‘ page
- Search for your company name.
- Check that the details for all directors and PSCs match your current records.
Make sure:
- Your full name, date of birth, and address are correct.
- Each person with significant control (PSC) is listed properly.
- There are no duplicate or outdated records for former officers.
You should also confirm when your next confirmation statement is due.
From 18 November 2025, your company will not be able to file it unless every director has verified their identity.
7. Preparing for verification
Getting ready to verify your identity for Companies House is easy once you know what’s required.
A little preparation now will save time later and help your company stay compliant with the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Start with these steps:
- Gather your identity documents: your passport, UK driving licence, or biometric residence permit.
- Check your details: make sure your name, address, and date of birth match what’s on the Companies House register.
- Decide how to verify: directly through GOV.UK One Login or with help from an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP).
- Keep your personal code safe: you’ll receive it once verified and may need to share it with someone you trust to file on your behalf.
If you’re forming a new company, you must verify your identity before incorporation.
If you’re an existing director or person with significant control (PSC), you’ll have a 12-month transition period to complete verification.
Remember!
Anyone appointed to an existing company after 18 November 2025 must provide their personal code within the first 14 days of their appointment.
8. Verify with WallsMan Creative to stay compliant
You don’t need to wait until 18 November 2025 to verify your identity for Companies House.
Complete the process early, and you’ll avoid last-minute issues, prevent filing delays, and ensure your company remains fully compliant with UK company law and the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
As accountants for the creative industries, we’re encouraging our clients in London and around the UK to complete their verification themselves for now.
However, it’s likely that in the near future we’ll need to register as Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) to verify and file on their behalf. That means making sure our internal verification process is strong and compliant, since we’ll be legally responsible for confirming each person’s identity.
If you’d like support managing the new Companies House verification process for your business or clients, WallsMan Creative accountants help you simplify compliance and keep your filings on track.
