New Companies House Identity Verification Requirements.

Get ready for the new Companies House identity verification requirements, which will apply to all directors, persons of significant control (PSCs) and relevant legal entities (RLEs) of UK companies from 18 November 2025.

Who needs to verify their identity for Companies House?

From 18 November 2025 both directors, PSCs and RLEs of UK companies will need to verify their identity at Companies House.

Directors

You will need to verify your identity at Companies House as follows:

• If you are a director of an existing company, before your company’s next confirmation statement is due;
• If you are intending to be appointed as a director of an existing company, at the time of your appointment; or
• If you are intending to be appointed as director of a new company, at the time of incorporation of the new company.

PSCs and RLEs

You will need to verify your identity at Companies House as follows:

• If you are a PSC of an existing company, before your company’s next confirmation statement is due;
• If it is proposed that you will become a PSC of an existing company, at the time the company notifies Companies House or within 14 days;
• If it is proposed that you will become a PSC of a new company, at the time of incorporation of the new company or within 14 days.

RLEs will need to nominate a director as a 'relevant officer' who must verify their identity as set out above, albeit the deadline is 28 days from incorporation or notification to Companies House (as applicable).

What is the consequence for failing to verify your identity for Companies House?

Directors

You are prohibited from acting as a director unless your identity has been verified. If you act as a director without verification, both you and the company will have committed an offence and you will be liable to a fine.

PSCs and RLEs

If you are a PSC or the ‘relevant officer’ of an RLE, and you fail to verify your identity within the relevant timeframe, then you will be annotated as ‘not verified’ on the public register. You will also have committed an offence and be liable to a fine.

How to verify your identity for Companies House?

There are four methods to verify your identity for Companies House:

1. Using the GOV.UK One Login mobile phone app
   a. You will need to download the GOV.UK One Login app on your mobile phone.
   b. You will need to take a photo of your biometric ID.
   c. You will need to take a forward-facing photo of yourself.
2. Online at GOV.UK
   a. You will need to create a GOV.UK One Login by going to the following web address: https://signin.account.gov.uk/enter-email-create
   b. You will need to enter details from your photo ID.
   c. You will then need to answer some security questions about things like your mobile phone contract, and any bank accounts, credit cards, loans or mortgages you may have.
3. At the Post Office
   a. You will need to create a GOV.UK One Login by going to the following web address: https://signin.account.gov.uk/enter-email-create
   b. You will need to enter details from your photo ID.
   c. You will need to go to a Post Office that offers ‘in branch verification’, where they will scan your photo ID and take a photo of you.
4. Using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider such as Lanyon Bowdler
   If you are unable to verify your identity using the mobile phone app, online or at a Post Office, or you would simply prefer for Lanyon Bowdler to verify your identity on your behalf, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Corporate & Commercial team.

Upon successful verification, you will be provided with a Companies House personal code. Be sure to keep a record of this, as you will need to submit the code to Companies House upon incorporating a new company, filing a confirmation statement, being appointed as a director, or registered as a PSC or a ‘relevant officer’ of an RLE (as applicable).