If you are a director or Person with Significant Control (PSC) of a UK company, identity verification is no longer something to put on the “to-do later” list.
Since 18 November 2025, identity verification has become a legal requirement under the Companies House reforms. Existing directors and PSCs are currently moving through the 12-month transition period — and individual deadlines are now becoming increasingly important. (GOV.UK)
And enforcement is no longer theoretical.
On 17 September 2026, Companies House and the Insolvency Service announced the first convictions of company directors for identity verification offences. Three directors were fined after failing to comply with the requirements. (GOV.UK)
So, what should business owners know?
1. If you are an existing director
You will generally need to provide your Companies House personal code as part of your company’s next confirmation statement.
If your company has several directors, each director must have completed identity verification before the confirmation statement can be filed. (GOV.UK)
2. If you are both a director and a PSC
This is where it can become confusing.
Although you only need to verify your identity once, you must connect that verified identity to each role separately.
Your director personal code is provided through the company’s confirmation statement.
For your PSC role, you must separately provide the personal code through the Companies House PSC verification service, within the relevant 14-day period. (GOV.UK)
3. If you are a PSC but not a director
For an existing PSC who was registered before 18 November 2025 and is not also a director of that company, the 14-day period generally begins on the first day of their birth month.
For example, if your month of birth is September, your relevant period begins on 1 September. Your actual deadline can be checked on the Companies House register. (GOV.UK)
4. Living overseas does not automatically remove the requirement
This point is particularly relevant to international business owners.
You may live in Hong Kong, Singapore or elsewhere while remaining a director or PSC of a UK company. The verification requirement is linked to your company role, rather than simply where you live.
Companies House allows identity verification directly through GOV.UK One Login, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as an accountant or solicitor registered to provide the service. (GOV.UK)
What happens if you do nothing?
Failure to comply on time may constitute an offence and can result in financial penalties, prosecution or fines through the courts. Companies House has also confirmed that a company cannot file its confirmation statement unless all its directors have completed the required verification. (GOV.UK)
The practical message for UK company owners is simple:
Don’t assume that 18 November 2026 is your personal deadline.
Your actual deadline depends on whether you are a director, a PSC, or both — and on your company’s confirmation statement date or your individual PSC verification period.
For business owners, particularly those managing UK companies from overseas, now is a good time to check:
• Have all directors completed identity verification?
• Has each person received their Companies House personal code?
• Are any directors also PSCs?
• What are the relevant verification deadlines shown on the Companies House register?
• Is the company prepared for its next confirmation statement?
A few minutes checking these details now could prevent unnecessary compliance problems later.
This post is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or accounting advice. Requirements may depend on individual circumstances.