ID Verification at Companies House

ID Verification at Companies House: Obligations and Deadlines to look out for in 2026 for your business

The new identity verification regime at Companies House was introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA 2023). This was part of the government’s wider effort to combat economic crime and improve corporate transparency on Companies House. The reforms are designed to prevent false or misleading information on the public register, and the verification element contributes to that policy framework. The requirements apply to company officers and persons with significant control (PSCs), although the timelines for verification are different for the different roles. This blog aims to help officers and PSCs understand their obligations and the timelines that apply to them.

Directors

All directors of a company must verify themselves on Companies House regardless of nationality or residency. As of 18 November 2025, it is no longer possible to incorporate a company, or appoint new directors, without the directors having verified their identity.

There is an extended 12-month transition period for existing directors to comply with the verification requirements. The deadline for the directors is linked to the submission of the Confirmation Statement for the specific company. It is therefore different for different companies. All directors of a company must have verified themselves before submitting the Confirmation Statement, or it will not be possible to make the filing. When a person verifies themselves on Companies House, they receive a personal code. To make filings, the company must be in possession of that code.

Compliance is essential: it is a criminal offence for the company and the director to have unverified directors. Enforcement action can include penalties, or disqualification to act as a director.

Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)

The PSC regime was previously introduced to Companies House to ensure transparency on the register regarding the individuals who own or control UK companies. Under the new rules, PSCs must now verify their identity directly with Companies House.

PSCs that are appointed on or after 18 November 2025 must verify their identity within 14 days of the appointment on Companies House.

For existing PSCs, the rules are slightly more complicated. PSCs that are also directors of the company must verify their identity and link themselves to the company 14 days after the Confirmation Statement was submitted. PSCs that are not directors of the company must verify their identity within the first 14 days of their birthday month. If, for example, the PSC’s birthday is on 24 April 2026, the period would run from 1-14 April 2026.

It is a criminal offence to be an appointed PSC without being verified on Companies House within the statutory timelines. The company must also take certain prescribed enforcement actions against the PSC if they are not compliant.

 LLP Members

Similar to company directors, members of Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)must also verify their identities with Companies House. This requirement applies to both new members and those already in post.

The same timelines apply for LLP members as for directors. If the LLP is registering as new on Companies House or there is a new member, the member(s) must verify themselves before membership is notified to Companies House. Existing members have an extended period during 2026 which is linked to the submission of the Confirmation Statement. As in the case of directors, non-verified members will prevent the LLP from filing its Confirmation Statement.

It is a criminal offence for an LLP member to act without having verified their identity with Companies House within the outlined statutory deadlines.

Relevant Legal Entities (RLEs)

An RLE refers to a corporate body that meets the PSC criteria, e.g. a holding company that has significant control over another company. However, the verification requirements are focussed on natural persons and, therefore, the new regime makes it mandatory to appoint a “relevant officer” of the RLE. This would typically be a director or a member for an LLP. The person would act as the entity’s representative for verification purposes.

There is a delay in implementing the verification of RLEs and it is still pending guidance from Companies House. It is expected that this will come into place during 2026 or 2027. Companies with RLEs as their PSCs should look out for guidance being issued from Companies House in relation to when the deadlines for RLEs will come into force.

Steps to ensure you are compliant

It is essential that directors, PSCs and LLP members are vigilant of the dates that apply to them in relation to the verification process. The management board of a company/LLP should also ensure that there is a process in place for accessing the personal codes of the directors/members in order for them to be able to do the company filings and protect the company from committing a criminal offence. There should also be an outlined process for how to handle PSCs that have not verified themselves on Companies House within the statutory timelines.

If you want more information on how a person verifies their identity with Companies House and some practical tips in relation to that process, please read Gilson Gray’sprevious blog on this subject. Gilson Gray has an experienced team and would be delighted to provide further guidance on the new ID verification rules. Please get in touch today if you require any help.