Identity verification for UK companies is moving from nice to have to a legal requirement. From 18 November 2025, all individual directors and persons with significant control must verify their identities with Companies House. The rules sit within the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, and they affect new and existing appointments alike with different timings for each1. At Pennine Accounting, we have translated the regulations into practical steps so you can get ready smoothly.
What exactly is changing?
Every individual director and each PSCA person with significant control usually means someone who holds more than twenty five percent of shares or voting rights, or otherwise exercises significant influence or control over the company.
View More Details will need to complete identity verification either directly with Companies House or through an ACSPAn Authorised Corporate Service Provider is a regulated agent, such as an accountancy firm or company formation agent, approved to verify identities and file on your behalf.
View More Details. New appointees must verify before they act, while existing directors and PSCs have a transition window that links to the next confirmation statement after the start date2.
The process assigns each verified person a personal codeCompanies House will generate a unique identifier once you pass identity checks. You will use this same code across all your UK company roles.
View More Details. That code then ties into routine filings, so your company can submit the confirmation statement only when all required individuals are verified and their codes are included2. Act early to avoid filing blocks.
Who must verify
In scope are individual directors of UK companies, people with significant control, and anyone filing on behalf of a company where identity checks are mandated. Corporate directors and corporate PSCs must ensure their relevant managing officers are verified. Charities and subsidiaries should evaluate structures now to pinpoint exactly who needs checks1.
How to verify
You can verify directly via the GOV.UK One Login, or appoint an ACSP to complete checks for you. Direct verification will use digital identity tools, while ACSP routes sit within existing anti money laundering frameworks that firms already follow3. Both routes aim to be simple, secure, and trusted.
Scope at a glance
Quick essentials before diving deeper.
- Directors: Must be verified individually, new directors before appointment is effective, existing within the transition window1.
- PSCs: Each qualifying individual must verify, or the company may be unable to file on time2.
- Agents: Verification can be delegated to an ACSP, which may suit groups with many roles across entities3.
- Filing impact: Confirmation statements will require verified personal codes for all directors, otherwise submission will fail2.
Key facts and helpful numbers
Here are the headline figures that most boards and owners ask about. They help with planning, sequencing, and communication.
Companies with complex structures should map out roles now. Even a small oversight can block filing, which in turn can affect banking, supplier onboarding, and bids for public contracts.
Roles, timing, and methods
Use this quick comparison to brief your board and company secretariat.
| Role | Verification timing | How to verify |
|---|---|---|
| New director | Before appointment is effective1 | Direct via GOV.UK One Login or through an ACSP3 |
| Existing director | By the next confirmation statement after the start date2 | Either route works, plan early to avoid filing delays |
| Individual PSC | By the company’s next confirmation statement2 | Direct or ACSP, code must be included in filing |
New director
Before appointment is effective
Direct or via ACSP
Existing director
By next confirmation statement
Direct or via ACSP
Individual PSC
By next confirmation statement
Direct or via ACSP
Five preparation steps for peace of mind
These actions will keep your company on track. Do them now rather than weeks before filing.
Map the people in scope
List all directors, PSCs, and managing officers of corporate entities. Confirm spellings and dates of birth align with company records for clean matching.
Choose your route
Decide between direct verification or an ACSP. Groups with many appointments often prefer an ACSP for coordination and audit trail3.
Gather documentary evidence
Prepare passports, driving licences, and proof of address documents. Keep scans ready for secure upload. Avoid last minute scrambling.
Coordinate with filing dates
Work backwards from your confirmation statement. If you leave verification late, the statement may not submit successfully2.
Create a simple policy
Document how your company will onboard new directors and PSCs, including verification checks, storage of the personal code, and who is responsible.
Common questions we are hearing
Will I need to verify for every company I am involved with? No. Once verified, your personal codeA reusable identifier issued after successful checks. It connects your identity to all UK roles you hold.
View More Details covers all your roles2.
What happens if a director refuses to verify? The company may be unable to file and both the individual and the company could commit offences by continuing to act without verification1. Boards should escalate early.
Does this replace anti money laundering checks? No. These requirements complement existing AML duties. If you use an ACSP, they will apply regulated checks alongside Companies House verification3.
Our team in Littleborough supports local companies across Rochdale, Oldham, and West Yorkshire with practical compliance. We can coordinate ACSP relationships, calendar reminders, and document capture, all tied neatly into Xero workflows so finance and compliance do not drift apart. One less worry while you focus on trading.
Bringing it all together
Identity verification for directors and PSCs becomes a legal requirement from the stated date, with new roles verifying before they act and existing roles aligning to the next confirmation statement. Choose your route, direct or ACSP, gather documents, and build a simple policy now.
If you would value help organising the process, Pennine Accounting can support planning, reminders, and secure evidence capture.