Posted: 12 / 08 / 2026

What is the Companies House identity verification deadline?

If you’re a company director or person with significant control (PSC), identity verification is now a legal requirement.

The process became mandatory on 18 November 2025, starting a 12-month transition period for existing directors and PSCs. That means there isn’t one universal deadline for everyone. Your actual deadline depends on your role and circumstances:

  • New Directors: Must verify their identity before appointment or company incorporation.
  • Existing Directors: Must verify their identity and provide their personal code when filing their next Confirmation Statement during the 12-month transition period.
  • PSCs: Must also verify their identity and provide their unique personal code to Companies House. They have a 14-day period to do this:
    • PSC and Director: 14 days from the day after the company’s Confirmation Statement date.
    • PSC only: Within the first 14 days of their birth month.
    • New PSC: When first added to the register or within 14 days of being added

At Sedulo, we’re seeing this cause some confusion among business owners. The important thing is not to wait for November 2026 and assume you have until then. Your own verification date may be earlier.

When do directors need to verify their identity?

If you’re an existing company director, you’ll generally need to provide your Companies House personal code when your company files its next confirmation statement.

If you’re a director of more than one company, you need to complete the process for each company.

New directors must verify their identity when they are appointed, while new companies must provide verification details for their directors when they incorporate.

Our advice is simple: check your next confirmation statement date now and make identity verification part of that compliance checklist.

What are the PSC identity verification requirements?

PSC requirements work slightly differently.

Every PSC needs to verify their identity and provide their Companies House personal code. The timing of that submission depends on the PSC’s circumstances.

For example, if you’re both a director and PSC of the same company, you have to provide your personal code separately for each role.

If you’re a PSC but not a director, your 14-day period is linked to your month of birth. If you became a PSC after 18 November 2025, your verification details can be provided when you’re added to the register or within 14 days of being added.

So, if you’re a PSC, don’t assume your company’s confirmation statement date is automatically your deadline.

How do you verify your identity with Companies House?

There are two main routes.

You can verify yourself online through GOV.UK One Login. You’ll need suitable photographic ID, such as a biometric passport from any country, a UK photo driving licence or certain UK biometric residence documents.

Once you’ve completed verification, you receive a Companies House personal code. This code is important because it connects your verified identity to your Companies House records.

Alternatively, you can use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to complete the verification on your behalf.

As a Co-Sec specialist, I can take on the administrative burden, leaving you to focus on the day-to-day running and long-term growth of your business.

What happens if you miss your Companies House ID verification deadline?

Failing to comply can have consequences. Companies House states that continuing to act as a director without meeting the verification requirements can constitute an offence. PSCs who do not comply may also commit an offence, and financial penalties or fines can apply. A note may also be displayed against a PSC’s name on the public register.

The common mistake is treating this as another piece of paperwork that can be left until the last minute.

It isn’t.

Identity verification is part of a wider change to how Companies House is checking those running UK companies. Getting it dealt with early means one less compliance headache.

How can I make Companies House compliance easier?

Identity verification is only one part of company secretarial compliance.

We can also help with company formations, share capital and technical services, corporate governance support, nominee and registered office services, agreements and company searches.

If you’d rather have someone keep track of these requirements for you, that’s exactly what company secretarial support is there for.

We believe that directors should spend their time running their businesses, not trying to keep up with every change to Companies House requirements.

If you’re unsure when your identity verification is due, or you’d like us to handle the process for you, get in touch and we can take it from there.

Article by Mel Tough, Company Secretarial Specialist