Companies House Identity Verification: 2026 Director Checklist
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, Companies House requires mandatory identity verification for all company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) across the UK.
If you serve as a company director or manage an active UK business, failing to comply with these rules will prevent you from submitting your annual confirmation statement on time. This exposes your company to financial penalties, potential director disqualification, or being struck off the register.
Working with qualified accountants in Ilford or your local financial advisors ensures your statutory filings, verification details, and annual accounts remain compliant without disrupting your business operations.
What Is Companies House Identity Verification?
Companies House identity verification requires every director and Person with Significant Control (PSC) of a UK company to verify their identity before filing statutory documents. Once verified, Companies House issues a unique 11-character "Personal Code". This code links your verified identity to every directorship or PSC role you hold across all UK entities.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
VERIFICATION PROCESS
[ Director / PSC ] ──► [ GOV.UK One Login or ACSP ]
│
▼
[ 11-Character Personal Code ]
│
▼
[ Attached to Statutory Filings ]
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The system aims to prevent fraudulent appointments, fake filings, and misrepresentation on the public register.
Key Deadlines for Directors and PSCs in 2026
The rollout follows a 12-month transition phase that began on 18 November 2025, leading up to full enforcement by 18 November 2026.
| Role Type | Compliance Requirement & Timing |
| New Directors | Must verify identity before the incorporation or appointment filing can be completed. |
| Existing Directors | Must provide their personal code on or before the company's next annual Confirmation Statement (CS01). |
| New PSCs | Must complete verification within 14 days of being added to the company register. |
| Existing PSCs | Must complete verification through the dedicated PSC service within their specific 14-day window (linked to their birth month or confirmation statement date). |
Note: Your actual operational deadline is your company's next Confirmation Statement filing date. Waiting until the end of the 12-month transition period will cause rejected filings if your confirmation statement is due earlier.
The 2026 Director Verification Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure all officers in your business complete identity verification smoothly:
Step 1: Audit Your Officers and Statutory Register
Download an up-to-date officer list from the Companies House Register.
Check for dormant directorships or outdated PSC records that require updating or removal.
List every individual who holds an active directorship or PSC status across your entities.
Step 2: Identify Your Next Confirmation Statement Date
Log in to the Companies House service or consult your accountant to check your exact CS01 filing deadline.
Schedule identity verification at least 30 days prior to the filing deadline to accommodate potential document checks or identity issues.
Step 3: Choose Your Verification Route
You can complete identity verification using two permitted routes:
Route A: Direct GOV.UK One Login (Free)
Requires a smartphone with NFC capabilities and a biometric photo document (e.g., UK passport or photo driving licence).
Takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes via the GOV.UK ID Check app.
Alternative non-digital options via Post Office face-to-face checks are available for those without smart devices or compatible photo IDs.
Route B: Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
You can complete verification through an AML-regulated agent, such as your chartered accountant or company secretarial provider.
Essential for overseas directors without biometric identity documents or complex corporate structures.
Step 4: Securely Store Your 11-Character Personal Code
Once verified, Companies House issues an 11-character Personal Code.
Keep this code confidential. It is tied to you personally and will be reused across all present and future directorships.
Step 5: Update Your Confirmation Statement Submissions
Pass your Personal Code to the individual or firm managing your company secretarial filings.
Confirm that your confirmation statement includes verified codes for all active directors before submission.
Common Mistakes Directors Must Avoid
Assuming verification as a director covers your PSC role: Being verified generates one Personal Code, but you must submit that code separately through the PSC portal if you are also listed as a PSC.
Leaving verification until filing day: If a co-director is travelling, lacks documentation, or encounters technical issues, your confirmation statement cannot be accepted.
Ignoring overseas directors: Overseas directors are subject to the same compliance timelines as UK residents. Ensure non-UK resident directors initiate checks early using biometric passports or an ACSP.
Conflating Personal Codes with WebFiling Authentication Codes: The WebFiling code belongs to the company; your 11-character Personal Code belongs to you as an individual.
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| Companies House Identity Verification: 2026 Director Checklist |
Penalties and Risks of Non-Compliance
Failing to verify identity carries severe personal and corporate consequences:
Rejected Filings: Companies House automatically rejects confirmation statements submitted without valid director personal codes.
Financial Fines: Directors and companies face potential civil fines of up to £10,000 for non-compliance.
Criminal Prosecution & Disqualification: Persistent failure to comply constitutes a criminal offence under section 167M of the Companies Act 2006, potentially leading to formal prosecution or director disqualification.
Company Strike-Off: Non-compliant entities risk being struck off the Companies House register.
When to Seek Professional Accounting and Secretarial Support
Managing statutory compliance alongside day-to-day bookkeeping, payroll, VAT returns, and corporation tax submissions can overwhelm busy business owners.
STATUTORY COMPLIANCE DASHBOARD
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
[✓] Director ID Verification Codes
[✓] Confirmation Statement (CS01)
[✓] VAT & MTD Record Keeping
[✓] Year-End Statutory Accounts
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
Working with experienced local accountants, whether you work with accountants in Ilford, consult with accountants in Stratford, or coordinate through accountants in Brentwood, helps streamline these legal obligations. A qualified practice acting as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) can manage director verifications, maintain statutory registers, and ensure annual confirmation statements are filed accurately and on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for Companies House identity verification?
The overall transition period ends on 18 November 2026. However, existing directors must provide their personal code when filing their company's next annual Confirmation Statement. New directors appointed after 18 November 2025 must verify before their appointment is registered.
How do I get my Companies House Personal Code?
You obtain your personal code by completing identity verification directly via the free GOV.UK One Login portal (using the GOV.UK ID Check app or Post Office service) or through an AML-supervised Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Is there a fee for Companies House identity verification?
Verifying your identity directly through the GOV.UK One Login portal is entirely free of charge. If you choose to use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as an accounting practice, they may charge an administrative fee for handling the verification process on your behalf.
What happens if one director fails to verify before the confirmation statement is due?
Companies House will not accept the confirmation statement until every active director has verified their identity and provided their personal code. Blocking this filing can lead to late filing penalties, criminal prosecution, or risk of company strike-off.
Do I need multiple personal codes if I am a director of several companies?
No. You only need to verify your identity once. Companies House issues a single 11-character Personal Code that applies across all your present and future directorships and PSC roles.
Keep Your Business Compliant with Expert Support
Navigating statutory compliance changes does not have to disrupt your focus on growth. From handling director identity checks to managing annual statutory accounts, VAT, and tax returns, professional support gives you complete peace of mind.
Contact our team of local accounting specialists at SKZ Accountant today to review your statutory register, manage your upcoming confirmation statement, and ensure your business remains fully compliant with Companies House rules.
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