Companies House ID verification FAQs for company directors and PSCs

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From 18 November 2025, identity verification became a legal requirement for company directors, People with Significant Control (PSCs), and others responsible for filing company information.

We are now in a 12-month transition period where those required to verify their identity must do so – at the latest - before their next Confirmation Statement is due. Earlier voluntary verification is recommended, and once this is completed, no further verification will be required.

Below are the answers to some FAQs that might help you with this process.

Who needs to verify their identity?

1. Company directors
2. The equivalent of a director – LLP members, general partners and managing officers
3. Directors of an overseas company registered in the UK
4. People with Significant Control (PSC)
5. Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSP) - also known as a Companies House authorised agents
6. Those who file for a company, for example, a company secretary

What documents are required to verify my ID?

The documents required to verify your identity will depend on whether you have a chipped photographic document, such as a biometric passport, photocard driving licence, or UK work or identity permit. You will firstly need to use the GOV.UK One Login service to find out the best way to verify your identity and what documents need you will . You may be required to have your .

I don’t have any photographic ID, how can I complete the checks?

Photographic ID is needed for the verification checks to be completed, so you will need to ensure you have a form of photo ID.

I am a director and a PSC, but I have been contacted by Companies House to say my ID checks are overdue. Why is this?

This is due to the fact that the records at Companies House for you as a director and PSC are not linked. This will be due to a slight variation in how you have been appointed, so for example, Joe Bloggs is a director, but Mr Joe Bloggs is a PSC. The difference in the name will mean that Companies House is identifying both names as separate individuals. Unfortunately, Companies House have no fix for this, and we must be compliant by the PSC due date . For Armstrong Watson clients, our team are working through this in chronological order, so we will be in touch in due course.

We have completed the checks ourselves. Why do we need to provide our accountant with the code?

We require the code to be able to file Companies House documents, such as the Confirmation Statement on your behalf. Without the code proving that you have identified yourself, this cannot be submitted.

I want you to complete the ID checks. How much will it cost?

• If we do not complete your company Confirmation Statement, the cost of verifying your identity will be £50 + VAT, per company.
• If we complete a Confirmation Statement for the company, our standard fee for Confirmation Statements has increased to £125 + VAT, plus the Companies House filing fee, which is now £50, to ensure compliance with the ECCTA regulations.

I am an existing Armstrong Watson client, when should I expect to hear from you?

• You should expect communication from our team around six weeks prior to your due date for compliance.

The government made a U-turn on ID checks a couple of weeks ago. Why do we still have to do this?

Confusingly, the ID check U-turn was in relation to digital ID to work in the UK and was part of the Labour Party Manifesto. Company director and PSC ID checks are different and are as a result of the ECCTA 2023 Act and remain unaffected.