New personal code ID verification codes for Companies House
New personal code ID verification codes for Companies House
All company directors will have to verify their identity and will be given an 11-character code from November, which will be used for Companies House services.
The verification which will be instant according to Companies House, as long as the correct documentation which is supplied to prove identity such as a valid passport is valid and correct, will affect all directors, with many already registered at Companies House. However, directors will only need to register once if they hold multiple directorships.
The start date for ID verification has been confirmed as 18 November 2025, although the deadline for individual directors varies depending on their confirmation statement deadline.
Although Directors will be able to verify themselves directly, it is expected that most will be verified through an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP), such as an accountancy or law firm.
Once identify is verified, directors will receive an 11-character code from Companies House, which will have to be used to access services, and is also confirmation that the individual has been checked as a genuine director.
The date at which individual company directors need to do the ID check depends on the due date of their company’s next confirmation statement on or after 18 November 2025, so could be as late as November 2026.
Companies House have advised: ‘In the majority of instances, the identity verification (IDV) process can be completed in a matter of minutes, and the individual will immediately receive their personal code through the service upon successful completion.
Once the code has been received individuals will be able to sign up on Companies House as a director or persons with significant control. Without the code registrations will not be allowed, including director changes and mandatory filings.
Current directors will need to provide their personal code in their company’s next confirmation statement filing with effect from 18 November 2025.
New directors appointed from 18 November will need to provide the code as part of their appointment filing or when they incorporate a company after ID verification.
It will be an offence not to comply with the new ID verification requirement. Penalties could be charged for non-compliance once the system is up and running. As an indication the penalty for failure to file accounts on time ranges from £150 to £750 depending on company size.’