Companies House confirms ID verification date

Companies House confirms ID verification date

From 18 November 2025 company directors and people with significant control (PSC) will have to verify their identities both when they incorporate a company and also if they become the director of an already existing company.

Also, all current directors will need to verify their identities when the next confirmation statement is filed if it is after the 18 November.

PSCs will have 12 months to verify their identities from the 18 November.

The intention behind this is so Companies House has more clarity over who is opening and running businesses as large scale fraud continues in this arena.

It is estimated that up to 7 million people will need to verify their identities by November 2026 with Companies House saying it should only take a few minutes for most people.

From 18 November 2025, directors and PSCs will also be able to check the Companies House register to see identity verification due dates for all their roles.

Companies House CEO Louise Smyth CBE said: ‘Identity verification will play a key role in improving the quality and reliability of our data and tackling misuse of the companies register. We encourage people to verify as early as possible’.

Once the mandatory ID verification comes into force it will become an offence to act as a director or person with significant control without verifying your identity.