Identity Verification: New Requirements for UK Company Directors and Beneficial Owners

As of 18 November 2025, identity verification for company directors and persons with significant control (beneficial owners) becomes mandatory in the United Kingdom. This requirement applies to both newly formed and existing UK-registered companies.

The purpose of the new verification regime in the UK

Verification is a process to check and confirm the identity of those who manage or own a company. The purpose of this new measure is to combat the misuse of British companies as a corporate vehicle and to improve the accuracy and reliability of data on the public register.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 stipulates that all company directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity for each UK company in which they act in this capacity.

New obligations for UK companies

To ensure a company’s compliance with legal requirements after November 18, 2025, you must:

1. Verify the identity of directors and PSCs using one of the suggested methods to receive a personal code from Companies House. If a person has already been verified and has a personal code, re-verification is not required.
2. Starting 18 November 2025, link the personal code to the corresponding role (director and/or PSC) in each company the verified person is involved with. This must be done within the specified timeframes (see below).

For more details on the identity verification process, you can refer to the official Companies House verification guidance.

Identity verification methods

There are two equally valid methods for checking your identity. You can choose the one that best suits you.

Verification method	Details
A. Verify directly with Companies House	This is a free digital process that uses the gov.uk One Login service. It requires a valid form of photo ID, such as a biometric passport from any country or a UK driving license. The process may also involve using a mobile app to scan your ID and take a selfie for biometric facial verification. The system will provide a clear set of steps and options to guide you through the process. Upon successful verification, a personal code will be assigned to you and will be available in your account on the Companies House website.
B. Verify through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)	You can hire an ACSP to verify your identity on your behalf. An ACSP is a company formation agent, accountant, or solicitor authorised by Companies House and supervised by a UK anti-money laundering authority. This method offers global accessibility, making it convenient for companies with directors or PSCs located in different countries. The individual provides the ACSP with company details, uploads personal documents, and follows their instructions. The ACSP verifies the person’s identity using its own secure platform and submits the information to Companies House. The verified person then receives their personal code directly from Companies House. The ACSP may charge a fee for their identity verification services.

Verification deadlines

The deadlines for identity verification vary depending on your role within the company and the company’s filing schedule.

For directors of existing companies

Beginning 18 November 2025, directors must complete their identity verification before the company’s annual confirmation statement is due. As a reminder, the confirmation statement must be filed with Companies House within 14 days after the end of the 12-month review period, which starts on the date of incorporation or the last confirmation statement.

For directors of new companies and new appointments

When a new company is registered or a new director is appointed to an existing company after 18 November 2025, the director’s identity must be verified before the relevant documents are filed with Companies House.

For persons with significant control (PSCs)

PSCs have different deadlines. Each PSC must link their personal code to the respective company within 14 days. This 14-day timeframe will be determined by whether the individual became a PSC before or after 18 November 2025, and whether they also hold the position of company director.

Obligations of UK company directors

Starting 18 November 2025, a company director must provide their personal code to Companies House when the company files its next confirmation statement. This means each company will have a specific deadline, which will vary.

If an individual is a director in multiple companies, they must submit their personal code separately for each one. The same personal code should be used for all submissions.

A company will not be able to file its confirmation statement without the director’s personal code. Delays in annual filings due to a lack of verification can result in penalties. Additionally, the company may face issues with its bank accounts, when entering into contracts, and in other situations where its compliance status is crucial and is checked by a counterparty.

Obligations of persons with significant control (PSCs)

A person with significant control (PSC), often called a beneficial owner, is an individual who holds more than 25% of a company’s shares or voting rights, or otherwise controls the company. Companies are required to maintain a register of their PSCs and to submit this information to Companies House, where it is made publicly available.

Under the new rules, the identity of a PSC must also be verified, and their personal code must be linked to the company they control. Depending on the situation, this must be done within the following deadlines:

Situation	Prescribed timeframes
A person is a PSC and a director of the same company	The person must link their personal code to each of these roles (as a director and as a PSC). As a director, the personal code must be provided with the company’s next confirmation statement. As a PSC, the code must be submitted via a separate online service within 14 days after the company’s confirmation statement is filed (this service will become available from 18 November 2025).
A person is a PSC, but not a director	The person will need to provide their personal code to Companies House within the first 14 days of their birth month.
A person becomes a PSC after 18 November 2025	The person provides the personal code within 14 days of the date their details as a PSC are submitted to Companies House.

How to prepare for the new verification regime

To ensure that verification and subsequent filings are successful, it is recommended that you:

• Make a list of all directors and PSCs in your UK company or companies;
• Check whether the names and dates of birth of directors and PSCs on file with Companies House match their passports and other identification documents;
• Choose the preferred method of verification (if verification has not been carried out before) – on the gov.uk portal or via an ACSP;
• For directors, determine the dates for the next confirmation statement filing for each company. For PSCs, find out the timeframe in which they will need to link their personal code to Companies House records;
• Create an action plan to avoid missing the deadlines.

Upcoming extensions to the verification requirement

In addition to directors and PSCs, the verification requirements will also be extended to individuals involved in the following:

• Limited Partnerships (LPs);
• Corporate directors;
• Corporate members in limited liability partnerships (LLPs);
• Legal entities that are PSCs in relation to other legal entities (relevant legal entities, RLEs)

Conclusion

Starting 18 November 2025, it will only be possible to register a company in the UK or file the annual confirmation statement if the directors and PSCs are duly verified. The identity check can be done online on the gov.uk portal or through an authorized agent. The personal code received during verification must be linked to the person’s role (director or PSC) as recorded with Companies House.