What is Companies House identity verification?
In 2023 the UK government introduced the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act to crack down on fraud, money laundering, and the use of “fake” or “front” companies. As part of this, Companies House – the UK’s official company register – will soon check the identities of the people running and controlling companies, something it has never done before.
This is a big shift: until now, anyone could set up a company online with very little proof of who they were. But with the rise of corporate fraud over the last few years, it will now be mandatory for every company director and Person with Significant Control (PSC) to prove their identity.
The Companies House identity verification rollout aims to support business growth and provide extra assurance about who is running and controlling companies in the UK. By having more accurate and secure data, companies will benefit from increased protection against fraud.
Who must verify their identity and when?
The timing for you to verify your identity will depend on your role within the company and when the company was established. To support all required companies and individuals through this transition, Companies House will phase in identity verification over the next 12 months.
Here is a breakdown of the deadlines for the three categories:
New directors and company incorporations
From 18th November 2025, any individual being appointed as a new director to an existing company or a director of a new company being incorporated, must have their identity verified at the relevant time of filing.
New directors must provide their Companies House personal code (more information on that later) as part of the appointment or incorporation process.
Existing directors and the confirmation statement trigger
The deadline for existing directors is the date of the company’s next annual confirmation statement filing, on or after the 18th November 2025. The requirement must be met within the 12-month transition period which runs from 18th November 2025 to mid-November 2026.
They must confirm they have verified their identity by providing their Companies House personal code at the time of filing its next confirmation statement.
Note: The company will be unable to file the Confirmation Statement until all directors have been verified, putting the company at risk of being struck off the register.
Persons with Significant Control (PSC)
The deadline for Persons with Significant Control is a bit more complex and is based on a 14-hour window after a specific trigger date:
PSC status | Identity verification deadline (start date of 14-day window) |
|---|
New PSC (appointed on or after 18th November 2025) | The date they are first registered with Companies House |
Existing PSC who is also an existing director | The company's next annual confirmation statement date (on or after 18 Nov 2025) |
Existing PSC who is not a director | The first day of their month of birth (as recorded on the Companies House register). |
Note: Once an individual has successfully verified their identity, they receive a unique Companies House personal code. This code is used for all their roles (director, PSC, etc.) across all their UK companies. Individuals who have not verified their identity may face penalties, including being unable to file and, in the case of directors, committing an offence.
Three ways to complete Companies House ID verification
Companies House identity verification can be done in one of three ways, depending on what suits you best. Usually, this only needs to be done once and should be relatively straightforward.
Through an ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider)
An ACSP is a company or individual (like a formation agent or an accountant) that has registered with Companies House to verify their clients' identities for them. To become an ACSP, you also need to be supervised by a UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) body and be able to verify the identity of your clients.
At Tide, we’ve done just that, meaning that companies and individuals will be able to verify their identity via Tide instead of doing it through Companies House.
We’ve made identity verification simpler at Tide
Companies House identity verification forms are more complex and therefore time-consuming, which is exactly why we became an ACSP. From 18th November 2025, we’ll take you through the process step-by-step and decode the legal jargon, so you can stay compliant with ease:
✅ Access your Companies House filings directly in the Tide app
✅ Get notified about your confirmation statement deadline
✅ Receive your Companies House personal code and store it securely in the Tide app for future filings
✅ Simply review your business details for accuracy – we’ll submit your confirmation statement on your behalf
Haven’t registered your company yet? Register with Tide for only £14.99 instead of the £50 Companies House fee and stay compliant all year round. Get incorporated within 1 business day and open your free business bank account in minutes. You’ll also get access to a complete financial toolkit – designed to save you time and money, so you can do more of what you love.
Directly through GOV.UK
Companies House identity verification can also be done online using GOV.UK One Login. Go to the "Verify your identity for Companies House" service and create a One Login account using the email address you use for Companies House.
You’ll need a smartphone and a valid photo ID, such as a passport or UK driver’s license. You’ll be guided through the process and receive your personal code once everything has been checked.
In-person at a Post Office
If you’re unable to verify your identity online, you may be able to do this at the Post Office – although, you’ll still need to use the "Verify your identity for Companies House" service to check eligibility.
Once you have a reference, you can go with your ID documents to your nearest branch and finish identity verification in-person.
What is the Companies House personal code?
Upon successful identity verification and approval, Companies House will issue an 11-digit alphanumeric code. This code is unique to you as an individual, not to your company. As a result, you only need to complete the verification process once, and the code is yours forever.
If you verify your identity via an ACSP like Tide, Companies House will send the personal code to you with the email address they provided for you. Otherwise, you can find your Companies House personal code in the “Manage my account” section of GOV.UK One Login.
How to use and share your personal code
From 18th November 2025 onwards, you will need to use your unique identifier for the following purposes:
✅ When you file your annual confirmation statement
✅ If you are made director of a company
✅ If you become a Person of Significant Control (PSC)
✅ To link your existing roles to your verified identity
You can share your personal code if you need someone to file on your behalf, like your accountant or agent, however it’s essential you keep it safe. While Companies House identity verification was introduced to prevent fraudulent activity, it doesn’t stop it completely – you should only share it with someone you trust.
At Tide, we’ll store your unique code securely in your account, so you don’t need to re-enter it for future filings. For example, your code will appear pre-filled on your confirmation statement, that we will then submit on your behalf – making compliance easier, faster and less error-prone.
What happens if I fail to verify my ID by the deadline?
Failing to verify your identity by the official deadline, as a director or Person with Significant Control (PSC), is a serious breach of the new legal requirements and triggers immediate penalties for both you as an individual and the company. The verification process is mandatory to ensure the Companies House business register is up to date and accurate.
Implications for an unverified company director or PSC
Inability to submit company filings. You and the company will be blocked from submitting key documents to Companies House, most importantly the annual confirmation statement.
Legal offences and fines. Continuing to act as a director or PSC without a verified identity is considered a criminal offence. This can lead to significant financial penalties for you and the company.
Director disqualification. In cases of serious or persistent non-compliance, unverified directors face the risk of being disqualified from acting as a director in the future.
The impact on the company
Operational block. Being unable to file your confirmation statement can quickly lead to non-compliance with the Companies Act, putting the company's "good standing" at risk.
Company strike-off. If a company repeatedly fails to meet its filing obligations due to an unverified individual, Companies House may initiate action to strike the company off the register.
Reputational damage. An unverified status may be publicly visible on the register, which can impair trust with investors, banks, customers, and suppliers – affecting corporate transactions and access to finance.
What documents do I need to verify my identity?
To verify your identity you’ll need:
A valid photo ID: biometric passport, UK driver’s license or biometric residence permit
Proof of address: for all UK residents and non-UK nationals, dated within the last three months
Personal details: full legal name, date of birth, and current residential address ready
Ready for the Companies House identity verification launch?
Staying compliant should be simple and manageable, and at Tide we’ve done exactly that. Searching GOV.UK for the correct information can waste time that business owners simply don’t have. Streamline the Companies House identity verification process with Tide and put your mind at ease. We’ll submit all your company filings on your behalf and securely store your personal code.
Whether you're just starting out, or you've already registered your company, rest assured that Tide has your back.
If you incorporate your company with us, don’t forget to use our company name check tool. We’ll also verify you and help you get your personal code. Beyond compliance, Tide provides a complete financial toolkit built to help you thrive. Manage your operations seamlessly – from paying staff with our payroll software to establishing your digital presence with our website builder.
It’s time to lead with Tide – get back to doing what you love and we’ll take care of the rest.
