If you’re a company director, you’ve probably heard murmurs about new identity verification rules from Companies House.
Well, the wait is over – the changes are now live, and we wanted to give you a clear rundown of what’s happening and how we can help.
What’s changed?
From 18 November 2025, Companies House required all individual directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) to verify their identity. This is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 – essentially the government’s effort to crack down on fraud and make the companies register more trustworthy.
The good news? It’s a one-off process.
Once you’re verified, you’ll receive a personal code that works across all your director and PSC roles. No need to do it again for each company you’re involved with.
When do I need to do this?
Here’s where it gets a bit nuanced:
For new directors (appointed from 18 November 2025 onwards): You must verify your identity before your appointment can be registered. No verification, no appointment – it’s as simple as that.
For existing directors: You need to confirm your verification when your company files its next annual confirmation statement. This gives most businesses a 12-month transition window.
For PSCs: The deadline depends on your circumstances, but broadly follows a similar pattern tied to confirmation statements or birth month.
The key point: your earliest deadline across all your roles is the one that matters. If you’re a director of multiple companies, check which confirmation statement comes first.
What happens if I miss it?
Companies House won’t accept any filings until all directors and PSCs are verified. That means accounts, confirmation statements – everything gets stuck. Beyond the practical headaches, there’s the risk of penalties, public censure, and potential criminal liability for acting as an unverified director.
How do I verify?
There are two routes:
- Directly through GOV.UK One Login – this is free and doesn’t take too long if you have suitable UK photo ID (passport, driving licence, or biometric residence permit).
- Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – this is particularly useful if you don’t have UK photo ID, live overseas, or simply want someone to handle it for you.
How Shapes can help
Good news: Shapes is registered as an ACSP with Companies House, which means we can verify your identity on your behalf.
We’ll be reaching out to our existing clients over the coming weeks to confirm what you need to do and help make the process as seamless as possible. We’ll check your filing deadlines, let you know when you need to act, and handle the verification for you if that’s easier.
There’s a small fee of £25 plus VAT per individual for us to complete the verification on your behalf. Given the hassle it saves – especially if you don’t have UK ID or are juggling multiple appointments – we think it’s worth it.
What you need to do now
Honestly? Not much, if you’re already a Shapes client. We’ll be in touch with everything you need.
If you’re not yet a client but want help with identity verification, drop us a line and we’ll point you in the right direction.
And if you’re keen to get ahead of the game, you can start the verification process yourself through GOV.UK One Login any time.
Questions? Get in touch with the Shapes team – we’re happy to help.
Sources:
Companies House press release, August 2025: gov.uk/government/news/companies-house-confirms-identity-verification-rollout-from-18-november-2025
GOV.UK guidance: gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house
