Company directors, people with significant control (PSCs), and anyone who files at Companies House will be expected to verify their identities from autumn 2025.
While identity verification at Companies House is currently voluntary, it will become mandatory later this year. There could be financial penalties for failing to verify your identity when filing your company’s confirmation statement or becoming a director or PSC.
Ahead of mandatory verification, it’s possible for directors and PSCs to verify their identity on a voluntary basis right now – with the online verification process only taking 10-15 minutes.
How to verify your identity for Companies House
To get ahead of any problems that might come up, it’s a good idea to verify your identity in advance of the deadline. There are three ways to do this, which are:
- Online – Using a GOV.UK One Login to verify who you are with a photo ID through your web browser or the mobile phone app (free of charge).
- At a Post Office – Showing photo ID in person through the Post Office in-branch verification service, which requires providing details online first.
- Through an ACSP – An accountant or lawyer may be an Authorised Corporate Service Provider who can verify your identity for a fee.
After successfully verifying your identity, you will receive a Companies House personal code. This unique identifier will be required whenever you file company statements.
To voluntarily verify your identity at Companies House through the government website, you’ll need a valid photo ID, your address details, and a GOV.UK One Login.
Need help with Companies House?
Whether you own or work for an existing or new company, it’s crucial for all companies to follow the latest regulations for registering and filing at Companies House.
If you need assistance with managing accounts and fulfilling filing obligations, you may want to get in touch with our accountants in Barnsley, who can offer various financial services.
For help with company accounts, call the gbac team on 01226 298 298, or send us an email at info@gbac.co.uk and we’ll get back to you with more information.