Companies House verification requirements for new and existing directors

From 18 November 2025, anyone being appointed as a director or person with significant control (“PSC”) of a new or existing UK company will need to verify their identity with Companies House.

If you’re already a director, then you will have until the first confirmation statement is due, after the 18 November 2025 deadline, before mandatory verification takes effect. The annual confirmation statement cannot be filed until all company’s directors have been verified.

If you are a PSC, then the 14 days rules will apply. The 14 days verification rules start from either:

• If the PSC is also a director of the company then, 14 days after the confirmation statement is due for that company.
• If the PSC is not a director of the company, then 14 days after the PSC’s date of birth.

What happens if I don’t comply?

Companies House has made it clear that failing to verify your identity will be an offence and hold serious consequences. These may include:

• Financial penalties
• Inability to submit statutory filings
• Rejection of new company registrations
• The company being struck off the register
• Disqualification for unverified directors

Therefore, it is important that all company directors and PSC’s act in a timely manner.

Why is this happening?

These new requirements form part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. The aim is to improve trust in UK companies by strengthening checks on who is behind them. It’s part of a broader move to crack down on fraudulent activity and increase corporate transparency.

What can I do now?

Although the rules may not directly apply to you now, ensuring verification early is important to ensure everything is filed on time to avoid any Companies House restrictions. Verifying early means you remain compliant and reduced the risk of not being able to file company information with Companies House should a director or PSC have issues when verifying themselves.

There are three main ways to verify yourself as a director or PSC:

1. Online through Companies House, using your GOV.UK One Login
2. At select local Post Office branches
3. By engaging an authorised corporate service provider to verify your identity.

Every individual should only verify themselves once as the code issued by Companies House on verification is then used for all current and future directorships/PSC notifications.

If you’re unsure what this means for your business or would like to talk through the next steps, we’re always happy to help.

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