Companies House identity verification: What’s changing?

Companies House has announced it will introduce mandatory identity verification for company directors, people with significant control, and those submitting documents on behalf of a company.

Just a few weeks ago, we wrote about the proposals to reform Companies House rules, highlighting the planned removal of abridged accounts, the introduction of new filing requirements, and the need for software to submit accounts.  

Since then, comments have emerged in the Financial Times that suggest that Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, may have paused or even ruled out these reforms to Companies House. However, we’ve yet to receive any formal confirmation from the government that these changes have been officially withdrawn.

While we await this confirmation, Companies House has confirmed that identity verification is moving ahead. Below, we outline what this all means for company directors and why it could be complicated for owner-managers.

From 18 November 2025, identity verification will become mandatory for all company directors. For new directors, that means verifying your identity before you can be appointed or incorporate a company. For existing directors, you will need to verify the identity of all directors before filing your company's next confirmation statement that falls after 18 November 2025.

For instance, if your company’s confirmation statement is due on 31 March 2026, all directors must be verified by that date. 

If you're a director of multiple companies, you’ll need to provide your Companies House personal code for each one. 

You will be able to verify your identity with Companies House in one of two ways: either through the free GOV.UK One Login service or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (i.e. company formation agents, solicitors or accountants).

Once successfully verified, you will receive a personal code from Companies House. 

Company directors will need to use this code when submitting their company’s next annual confirmation statement after 18 November 2025, and for each company they are associated with. 

Identity verification requirements also apply if you hold significant influence or ownership over a company – commonly referred to as people with significant control. In many cases, this will include owner-managers, majority shareholders, or anyone who ultimately makes key decisions about how the company is run. 

A person with significant control is generally someone who: 

• Owns more than 25% of the company’s shares
• Holds more than 25% of the voting rights
• Has the right to appoint or remove the majority of directors
• Otherwise exercises significant influence or control over the company

If you're both a director and a person with significant control, you’ll need to provide your personal code separately for each role. 

As a director, you’ll include your code in your company’s confirmation statement. As a person with significant control, you’ll need to submit it via a separate Companies House service within 14 days of the confirmation statement date.

If you're a person with significant control but not a director, the deadline is tied to your birth month. You’ll need to verify your identity within the first 14 days of that month. For example, if your birthday is 25 December, your verification window runs from 1 to 14 December. 

If you become a person with significant control after 18 November 2025, you must verify your identity within 14 days of being added to the register.  

We will, of course, continue to monitor developments and provide our members with any new information or guidance as and when we receive it. 

In the meantime, if you're unsure how these changes apply to your business structure or filing responsibilities, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Policy Team at [email protected].

As the rollout date approaches, we’ll also be publishing further resources to help the sector understand what identity verification means in practice, whether you're a director or person with significant control.

For further information, you can also find the official announcement from Companies House here.