Companies House Identity Checks: A Simple Guide for Small Business Owners

Companies House Identity Checks: A Simple Guide for Small Business Owners

Ciaran McGowan is a solicitor in the corporate team at law firm Harper Macleod

If you run or own a business in the United Kingdom, you may be required to verify your identity with Companies House. This is one of the biggest changes in recent years for small business owners, and it applies to both new and existing businesses.

The changes have been introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 with the aim to reduce fraud and misuse of British companies. In practice, these changes introduce an additional administrative burden for those who file at Companies House. It is therefore a sensible time to familiarise yourself with the new identity verification requirements.

Who is affected?

You will need to verify your identity if you are a company director, a person with significant control (PSC), or a member of an LLP. In most small businesses, this means anyone who owns or manages the business.

These identity verification requirements will also be extended to other roles, including anyone who files documents at Companies House on behalf of a business, such as confirmation statements or accounts.

In practical terms, identity verification will become a condition of owning or managing a company or an LLP.

How does identity verification work?

There are two ways to verify your identity.

Most individuals will be able to do it directly with Companies House using the GOV.UK One Login system. This involves uploading photo ID and completing a biometric check, usually by scanning a passport or driving licence and taking a live selfie using a phone or computer. For many people, this will only take a few minutes.

Alternatively, you can ask a professional adviser, such as a solicitor or accountant who is authorised as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), to verify your identity for you. This can be helpful if you would prefer assistance or want reassurance that the process has been handled correctly.

Whichever route you choose, you will need to provide an accepted form of photo ID (such as a passport or photocard driving licence), your home address, and details of where you have lived over the last 12 months.

Do you need to repeat this?

For most people, identity verification is a one-off requirement.

Once your identity has been verified, Companies House will issue you with a unique personal code. You will use this code whenever Companies House needs to confirm your identity in connection with a role at your business. You will not need to repeat the verification process for each business you are involved in, unless Companies House asks you to re-verify due to changes in your details or concerns about accuracy. However, you will be required to provide your personal code separately in respect of each role.

When do you need to act?

The new rules took effect on 18 November 2025.

From that date, new directors need to provide their personal code before their appointment can be registered. Existing directors need to provide their personal code as part of the company’s next confirmation statement. If you are a director of more than one company, you will need to provide your personal code for each company.

New PSCs must provide their personal code within 14 days of being added to the Companies House public register. Existing PSCs who are also directors need to provide their personal code separately for each role. As a director, they will provide their personal code as part of the company’s next confirmation statement. As a PSC, they will provide their personal code within 14 days of the confirmation statement date. PSCs who are not directors will need to provide their personal codes during the first 14 days of their birth month.

Failure to comply can result in fines, criminal sanctions and practical issues such as Companies House rejecting filings, which can cause knock-on problems for the business.