What Is Companies House Identity Verification, and Who Needs It?

Companies House identity verification is a check that you are who you say you are, and every director, person with significant control (PSC) and LLP member of a UK company needs to do it. When you pass, you get a personal code (sometimes called a Companies House ID check or ID verification code). The transition period for existing directors and PSCs ends around 18 November 2026. For most people their own date has already passed, so if you haven't verified yet, do it now.

Who Needs to Verify Their Identity With Companies House?

Directors and PSCs of UK companies need to verify, and so do LLP members. If you're not sure which role you hold, our guide on the difference between a director and a shareholder can help. The rule covers people setting up, running, owning or controlling a company, whether they're new or already on the register.

New directors verify before they can start a company or be appointed to an existing one. Existing directors and PSCs were given a 12-month transition period to catch up, and it ends in November 2026.

Does It Apply to Every Type of Officer?

Not yet. Corporate directors, corporate LLP members, limited partnerships and the officers of corporate PSCs come in at a later date, and no date has been confirmed. If your structure uses corporate appointments, our guide on whether a company can be a director covers what's expected.

When Is the Deadline for Identity Verification?

There isn't one date for everyone. Verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025, and that started a 12-month transition period. Your due date sits somewhere inside it, and for most people it has now passed.

Some of these dates may already have passed. If yours has, verify as soon as you can. You can still do it now, but until it's done you're not meeting the requirement.

The transition period ends around 18 November 2026. Companies House has said it expects 6 to 7 million people to need to verify by mid-November 2026, so if your date is close, don't leave it to the last week.

What Is a Companies House Personal Code?

A personal code is an 11-character code you get after you verify your identity. It belongs to you, not your company. Companies House uses it to link your verification to the company roles you hold.

How Do I Get My Personal Code?

How you get it depends on how you verified. If you used GOV.UK One Login, sign in to Companies House with the same email address you verified with, then go to "Manage account". If you verified after 8 July 2026, the code was also emailed to you.

If an authorised agent verified you, like Companies MadeSimple, the code goes to the email address they gave. If it doesn't turn up, ask them to check. It's a good idea to save the code in your Companies House account so you can find it later.

Where Do I Use My Personal Code?

Directors give it in their company's next confirmation statement, or in an appointment filing if they join after 18 November 2025. PSCs give it within their 14-day window through a separate process found here.

You use the same code for every role you hold. Keep it private, though you can share it with someone like an accountant who files on your behalf.

How Do I Verify My Identity for Companies House?

There are two routes. You can verify yourself online through GOV.UK One Login, or you can use an authorised agent who does the checks for you.

Verifying Yourself With GOV.UK One Login

You'll need photo ID. That means a biometric passport from any country, a UK photo driving licence, a UK biometric residence permit or card, or a UK Frontier Worker permit. You'll also need your current address and the year you moved in.

An expired passport isn't accepted. A UK driving licence that expired in the last 90 days can be, and so can some residence documents that expired in the last 18 months. If you can't complete the photo ID check online, you may be able to verify at a Post Office instead. Take your original photo ID, because photocopies and digital images aren't accepted. If you don't have photo ID and live in the UK, you may be offered a check using your bank or building society details.

Getting Help to Verify

If you'd rather not do it yourself, or you're short on time, our identity verification service can help you get your personal code.

This can be useful if you live outside the UK. An authorised agent can do the checks from any country, so you don't need to travel. And with an authorised agent such as Companies MadeSimple, you get excellent support from a human customer service agent.

What Happens if I Don't Verify in Time?

Not verifying on time is an offence, and it can bring a financial penalty. It also means you can't make filings for your company or set up a new one. Acting as a director without being verified is an offence too.

Companies House has said it will take a proportionate approach and help companies comply. It hasn't published penalty amounts, so don't rely on figures you may see elsewhere.

What Should I Do Before 18 November 2026?

If you haven't verified yet, do it now. For most people, their own due date has already passed, and 18 November 2026 is the end of the transition period for everyone, whatever your filing date.

• Directors: verify and save your code, then give it in your company's next confirmation statement.
• PSCs: verify and save your code. Your own window may have closed, so don't wait.
• Everyone: keep your personal code somewhere safe.

Short on time, or not sure which route suits you? Our identity verification service is there if you'd like help getting your code.

If you want to understand the PSC side in more detail, our guide to PSCs and the confirmation statement is a good place to start.

FAQs

Is 18 November 2026 the deadline for identity verification?

It's the end of the 12-month transition period, not one deadline for everyone. Your own due date depends on whether you're a director or a PSC, and on your company's dates. Most companies file a confirmation statement every year, so existing directors should already have verified and have a code by now. If you haven't, make sure you're verified before 18 November.

Where do I find my Companies House personal code?

Sign in to Companies House with the email you used to verify, then go to "Manage account". If you verified through an authorised agent, it's emailed to the personal email address you provided them initially.

What is a Companies House personal code?

It's an 11-character code you get once you've verified your identity. It belongs to you, not your company, so you use the same code for every role you hold.

Can I verify my identity with an expired passport?

No. An expired passport isn't accepted.

What happens if I miss my identity verification date?

Not verifying on time is an offence and can stop you making filings for your company. For most people the date has already passed, so verify as soon as you can. Companies House has said it will take a proportionate approach.

Do corporate directors need to verify yet?

No. Corporate directors and the officers of corporate PSCs come in at a later date that hasn't been confirmed.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Identity verification rules and dates can change, so please check GOV.UK or Companies House guidance, or speak to a qualified professional, before relying on the details above.