Companies House Identity (ID) Verification: What you Need to Know
From 18 November 2025, Companies House are introducing identity verification as a new legal requirement. You will need to prove your identity to set up, run, own or control a company in the UK.
These changes aim to reduce the risk of fraud along with improving transparency, trust and accuracy of information on the Companies House register.
Who needs to verify
You’ll need to verify your identity if you are:
- a new director or person with significant control (PSC)
- an existing director or PSC
- a member of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Identity verification will be introduced at a later date for people who file at Companies House, corporate directors of companies, corporate members of limited liability partnerships (LLP’s) and officers of corporate PCS.
Key Facts About ID Verification
- This is a one-off process. Even if you are a director or member of multiple companies, you only need to complete verification once
- Once verified, you will receive a personal verification code. This will be linked at Companies House to any roles that you hold.
What This Means for You
From 18 November 2025, directors and persons with significant control will need a personal verification code for various reasons. For example
- when you file your confirmation statement
- if you are appointed as a director
- if you become a person with significant control (PSC)
Non-Compliance
If you fail to verify your identification, you will be unable to:
- make any filing
- start a new company or entity
If you continue to act as a director without verifying after it becomes a legal requirement, you will be committing an offence. You may have to pay a financial penalty or fine and could be disqualified.
You should therefore verify your identity ahead of the next confirmation filing date to ensure you are compliant.
How to verify
There are currently two ways in which you can verify your identity:
- Companies House offers a free ID verification service available via their website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house
- Using an Authorised Corporate service Provider(ACSP) also known as a Companies House authorised agent
Can CFW Complete Verification for You?
CFW are an Authorised Corporate Service Provider registered with Companies House. This means that we can offer an identification verification service to our clients who are company director’s and/or person’s with significant control.
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