If you’re a director of a limited company, 18 November 2026 is a date to put in the diary now.
It’s the end of the 12-month window Companies House gave existing directors to verify their identity. After that, there’s no transition period left, and acting as a director without verifying is an offence.
The good news is that for most people it takes a few minutes online. Here’s what small business directors need to know, and what to do next.
What identity verification is
Since 18 November 2025, identity verification has been a legal requirement for company directors and people with significant control (PSCs). It’s part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which gives Companies House new powers to tackle fraud and fake companies.
In plain terms, Companies House wants to know that the people running UK companies are who they say they are. Once you’ve verified, you get a personal code that links your identity to every company role you hold.
For honest small business owners, that’s a good thing. It makes it harder for someone to register a company in your name or use your address, and it makes the register more trustworthy for the customers and suppliers who check it.
Who needs to verify and when
Companies House’s guidance sets out different timings depending on your role.
| Your role | When you need to verify |
|---|---|
| New director appointed since 18 November 2025 | Before you’re appointed |
| Existing director | When your company files its next confirmation statement, and by 18 November 2026 at the latest |
| Director who is also a PSC | With the confirmation statement as a director, then again as a PSC within 14 days of the confirmation statement date |
| PSC only | Within the first 14 days of your birth month |
For most small business directors, the real deadline is your company’s confirmation statement date, which could be well before 18 November. You’ll need your personal code to file it, so if you’re one of several directors, everyone needs to be verified in time.
If you’re a director of more than one company, you only verify once. You then use the same personal code for each company.
How to verify your identity
There are 2 ways to do it, and the online route is free.
Online with GOV.UK One Login
- Go to the Companies House identity verification service and create or sign in to a GOV.UK One Login account.
- Have your photo ID ready. A passport, UK photo driving licence (full or provisional) or UK biometric residence permit all work.
- Follow the steps to scan your ID and confirm it’s you. Companies House says it takes an average of 2.4 minutes.
- Make a note of your personal code. You’ll need it for your confirmation statement and any other company roles.
No photo ID? You may be able to verify using your bank or building society details, or in person at a Post Office. You’ll need to start online first either way.
If you’d rather not do it yourself, we can help as we provide registered third-party ID services
What happens if you miss it
Companies House has said it’ll take a proportionate approach, but its enforcement guidance is clear that acting as a director without verifying is unlawful. The consequences can include:
- financial penalties for you as a director, and for your company
- a public note on the Companies House register showing you haven’t complied
- prosecution, which can lead to a criminal record, a fine and disqualification as a director
- in the most serious cases, your company being struck off the register
Enforcement has already started. In September 2026, the Insolvency Service secured its first convictions against 3 directors who kept running their companies without verifying. One of them had verified their own identity but was still convicted for letting a fellow director carry on unverified.
The fines were small, but each of those directors now has a criminal conviction. And if you share the board with someone, their verification is your problem too.
Your ID verification checklist
- Check your company’s confirmation statement date on the Companies House register
- Verify your identity online with GOV.UK One Login, or get in touch with us to assist
- Save your personal code somewhere safe
- Make sure every other director and PSC has verified too
- File your confirmation statement on time, with everyone’s codes
- If you’re appointing a new director, get them verified before they start
If you’re not sure where your company stands, or you’d like someone to keep an eye on your Companies House deadlines for you, get in touch with our team. Our business and accounting services cover confirmation statements and company secretarial support, and if you’re setting up a new company, our new business set up team will make sure verification is sorted from day 1.
