Has your company complied with identity verification?

Companies House enforcement has started

Companies House identity verification has moved from being something directors can leave on their “to do” list to an issue requiring immediate attention.

On 17 September, the Insolvency Service announced the first successful prosecutions involving directors who had failed to comply with the new identity verification requirements. Three directors were fined following proceedings at the City of London Magistrates’ Court.

This is an important development because it demonstrates that the new requirements are being enforced.

What is identity verification?

Identity verification became a legal requirement from 18 November 2025. Existing directors are generally required to verify their identity and provide their Companies House personal code when their company files its next confirmation statement during the 12-month transition period. New directors have different requirements and must generally verify before acting.

A director who is also a person with significant control, or PSC, should take particular care. The same personal code is used, but the code normally has to be provided separately for the director and PSC roles. The PSC requirement also has its own 14-day compliance period.

The recent prosecutions also contain another warning. One of the directors prosecuted had verified his own identity but was convicted after failing to take reasonable steps to prevent another unverified director from continuing to act.

In other words, this is not necessarily just an individual compliance matter.

What should companies do now?

Check that every director has completed identity verification and has retained their Companies House personal code. Then check whether any directors are also PSCs and whether the separate PSC requirement has been dealt with.

Companies approaching their confirmation statement date should make this a priority. Companies House states that a company will be unable to file its confirmation statement unless all its directors have verified their identities.

Most people can verify directly through GOV.UK One Login, while verification can also be undertaken through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, such as an accountant or solicitor that offers the service.

Directors experiencing difficulty should not simply leave the matter unresolved. The first prosecutions demonstrate that continued non-compliance can ultimately result in court action.

The majority of our company clients should be compliant, but if you are unsure whether you, your fellow directors or the PSCs of your company have completed everything required, and you are our clients, call now before the next Companies House filing becomes due.

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