For months, there has been talk of new identity rules for users of Companies House, but with no implementation date, many directors have taken a “wait and see” approach.
That time, and approach, is now over, writes Helen Christopher, founder of Beansprout Consultancy.
ID verification at Companies House is required from mid-November 2025
From November 18th 2025, identity verification becomes a legal requirement for all UK company directors and ‘People With Significant Control’ (‘PSC’).
So the countdown to Companies House ID rules has very much started. Indeed, emails from the public register for all limited companies are being sent to directors as you read this.
What if directors ignore identity verification?
And with good reason. The consequences of ignoring the identity verification requirement will be serious — your limited company will not be able to file its confirmation statement unless every director is verified.
These reforms are part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, designed to clamp down on fraud and misuse of UK companies.
Whether you run a single business or sit on multiple boards, action is required now to stay compliant. You can’t just sit back and not act; inertia simply isn’t an option.
Four key aspects of Companies House identity verification rules
As an advisory that specialises in accounting and financial growth advice for small businesses, we believe there are four key aspects of the Companies House ID rules that directors need to know:
1. Mandatory identity checks for all directors
Every UK company director must verify their identity before the company’s next confirmation statement can be filed.
Anyone incorporating a new company or joining an existing company after that date will need to verify straight away.
Directors of multiple companies only need to verify once and can use the same personal code across each company.
Without verification, the company simply cannot file its confirmation statement or accounts, leaving it exposed to penalties and reputational damage.
2. A two-step process contractors can’t skip
Identity verification under the November 2025 Companies House rules is a two-stage process:
- Verify your identity using GOV.UK One Login or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) such as your accountant or solicitor.
- Once you have verified your ID, you need to link your verified identity to each company role by supplying your personal code and a verification statement.
Your personal code is unique, and once you’ve got it, it’s yours to use across all roles.
3. Deadlines depend on your limited company
Although the rules apply from November 18th 2025, directors have until their company’s next confirmation statement to be verified.
For example, if your next confirmation statement is due on March 31st 2026, you must be verified before then.
But don’t leave things to the last minute and risk a late filing penalty, particularly given that Companies House fees increased across the board in March 2024.
Instead, check your company’s confirmation statement deadline now, and then plan backwards.
4. Mismatched details? The biggest pitfall
One of the easiest ways directors could fall foul of the new ID verification rules is if the personal details held at Companies House don’t match their identity documents.
A common issue is an incorrect date of birth on the register. Other mismatches, such as typos in names or missing middle names, could also block verification.
Our advice? Check your details with Companies House now.
If you spot an error, get it corrected before starting the verification process. That way, you won’t hit unnecessary delays when the rules come into force.
Companies House’s November 2025 identity rules: a lockout if you don’t comply
The rules are no longer theoretical, unlike the Profit and Loss filing requirement. Therefore, November 18th 2025 is the line in the sand. Be under no illusion — these changes to UK company law are some of the biggest in decades. The simple fact is this: no verification, no filings. Directors who act early will stay compliant and avoid disruption. Those who delay risk grinding their company’s compliance processes to a halt, and paying penalties simply for failing to prove who they are.
