18.11.2025 | Tax

This month, Companies House began the most significant overhaul of its register in decades. Here, Andrew Diver, Head of Tax, Beatons Group, looks at how the changes will impact business owners and what you need to do to get your ducks in a row.

From yesterday, 18th November, every company director and every person with significant control (PSC) must verify their identity with Companies House.

The move is part of a wider push to make the UK business register more accurate, reduce fraud, and strengthen trust in corporate information.

It may sound like a small administrative step. Still, it marks a fundamental shift in how Companies House operates – from a passive record-keeper to an active regulator of corporate transparency.

Who needs to verify – and when

The new identity rules apply to all directors and PSCs, whether you run a limited company, a start-up, or sit on the board of several entities.

Existing directors will need to verify their identity before submitting their following confirmation statement after 18 November 2025.

That means timing will vary from company to company, so it’s worth checking your filing date now and planning.

If you’re a director of more than one company, you’ll need to provide your single personal verification code for each role you hold – so keeping a record of your code will be essential.

For new directors, the process will happen automatically as part of the company formation or appointment. You won’t be able to take up your role until verification is complete.

The rules also extend to People with Significant Control (PSCs) – typically anyone who owns or controls more than 25% of a company.

If you are a PSC and also a director, you’ll need to verify both roles simultaneously.

If you are a PSC but not a director, your verification window will open on the first day of your birth month. For example, if you were born on 20 December, your 14-day window begins on 1 December.

If you become a new PSC after 18 November, you’ll have 14 days from the date you are added to the register to complete verification.

Companies House has confirmed that it will contact each company directly with details, so you’ll receive guidance when your deadline approaches.

How the process works

Verification can be completed in two ways:

1. Directly through Companies House, using the GOV.UK One Login service. This involves submitting identification such as a passport or driving licence, along with a live photo to confirm your identity.
2. Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as your accountant or solicitor, who can verify your identity on your behalf.

Once verified, you’ll be issued a personal code.

This code confirms your verified status and must be provided each time you act in a new company role.

Over one million people have already completed voluntary verification since the service opened earlier this year – so if you haven’t done so yet, it’s a good time to start.

What happens if you don’t verify

Failure to complete verification won’t simply be an administrative oversight – it will carry consequences.

From next year, unverified directors will be prevented from performing their duties, Companies House filings may be rejected, and in some cases, continuing to act as a director could constitute an offence.

Put simply, if your identity isn’t verified, you could find yourself unable to submit statutory filings or continue in your role legally.

How to prepare your business

These checks might sound bureaucratic, but they are part of a broader cultural shift towards greater accountability in UK business.

Getting ahead of the process now will save time and potential disruption later.

Here are five practical steps to take this month:

• Map your roles – List every directorship and PSC position you hold, including those in group or dormant companies. You’ll need to verify each one separately, so an accurate list will make the process smoother.
• Check your filing dates – Look up when your following confirmation statement is due, as that’s when the requirement will likely apply. Adding this to your compliance calendar will ensure you don’t miss your window.
• Complete your verification early – Use GOV.UK One Login or ask your accountant to verify through the Authorised Corporate Service Provider system. Early verification means fewer headaches when deadlines approach.
• Ensure your records match – Make sure your Companies House records, ID documents, and registered address all align exactly. Minor discrepancies – even a middle initial – can cause delays.
• Communicate with fellow directors and shareholders – Everyone in a leadership position will need to verify, so make sure the whole board understands the requirement and the process.

A new era for corporate transparency

The introduction of identity checks is more than a compliance exercise – it’s a cultural milestone.

For years, Companies House has mainly operated on trust, with minimal verification of who was behind the companies on its register. The new system aims to restore confidence in UK corporate data and create a more transparent, fair and trusted business environment.

That’s good news for investors, suppliers and customers – but it means businesses need to treat this as a must-do, not a nice-to-do.

Beatons can help directors and shareholders navigate the verification process and manage filings across multiple companies. If you would like advice or to arrange verification through our Authorised Corporate Service Provider service, please call 01473 659777 or visit www.beatons.co.uk.

Image credit: GOV.UK