Companies House Identity Verification is no longer a future change or a compliance footnote!
It's live, enforced, and already causing issues for UK companies that aren't yet compliant with the legislation including:
In almost every case, the problem isn’t ignorance of the necessary legal requirements, it’s more one of assumption. Conversations we're now having include:
'I thought my accountant handled that.'
'I assumed company verification covered me personally.'
'I didn’t realise Persons of Significant Control (PSCs) had to do it too.'
This guide explains what applies now in 2026, what’s actually going wrong in practice, and how directors, PSCs, and business owners can avoid being caught out.
Quick links to sections of this blog post:
IDV is now a legal requirement for individuals involved in UK companies.
It was introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act with one core aim:
to stop individuals hiding behind false identities or complex, opaque company structures.
In plain English, Companies House now requires real people behind companies to prove who they are — not just once, but in a way that links future filings directly to verified individuals.
This is no longer a “coming soon” change. It is live, enforced, and already affecting filings.
If any of the following apply to you, identity verification is mandatory:
One of the more common mistakes is assuming only directors are affected. Another is assuming only new appointments matter. Unfortunately neither is correct.
Now that identity verification is fully in force, several things are happening that weren’t obvious during the “guidance” phase:
Unfortunately there's no warning email before a filing fails. The system simply refuses to proceed forward.
There's 2 routes you can take to verify your identity as a director:
This is done through the GOV.UK One Login service. To do this you'll need a valid:
The process includes:
Once verified, you receive a personal Companies House verification code. This code is tied to you, not your company, and will be required for future filings.
An ACSP is a trusted professional such as an accountant, solicitor, or company formation agent who has been officially approved by Companies House to verify your identity and handle business filings on your behalf. They're usually supervised under UK AML regulations.
This option:
Of note, not all accountants or agents are automatically ACSPs. Assuming they are is a common (and costly) mistake we come across.
There’s no universal “right” answer, it's more a case of what best fits your circumstances. The key element isn't so much the route you take as making sure verification actually happens.
| Direct to Companies House | Indirect via an ACSPT |
| Free | Paid service |
| Manage it yourself | Guided support |
| Works well for straightforward cases | Preferable for complex or overseas scenarios |
| No help available if verification fails | Help on hand to resolve problems |
Most non-compliance issues we’re seeing aren’t caused by refusal to comply, but by misunderstandings about who must verify and how the system works. We are still in early enforcement but common problems have been:
If the above applies to you at all, you need to get it actioned and rectified ASAP.
Non-compliance isn't really an option because the consequences for it include:
So, make sure you act and get IDV sorted because we find issues such as these can rear their head at the worst possible time including during funding rounds, restructures, or even statutory filing deadliness.
Ask yourself:
If any of those are uncertain then it's time to action compliance measures.
You may see this as yet another administrative hoop, it's understandable. But IDV marks a shift toward personal accountability in UK corporate law. It means the days of anonymous or passive directorship are over.
Also, businesses that treat this as a one-off task tend to stumble later on. Those that treat it as part of governance can more likely move forward without the potential disruption.
Is Companies House identity verification mandatory now?
Yes. Companies House identity verification is a legal requirement for all directors, PSCs, LLP members, and anyone filing documents on a company’s behalf.
Identity verification is fully in force and is applicable to both new, and existing, appointments.
Do existing directors need to verify, or only new ones?
All existing directors must verify their identity, not just newly appointed directors.
The requirement applies to every director currently listed at Companies House, and that's regardless of when they were appointed.
Is company verification the same as personal verification?
No. Companies are not verified only individuals are.
Each director, PSC, or LLP member must complete identity verification personally, even if the company itself is fully compliant in other areas.
Can my accountant verify me automatically?
No, an accountant can only verify you if they're registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) and have completed the verification process on your behalf.
Not all accountants or agents are authorised, plus historic filing activity does not mean identity verification has been completed.
What happens if one PSC isn’t verified?
If a required PSC is unverified, Companies House can block filings and treat the company as non-compliant.
Even if directors are verified, a single unverified PSC can cause compliance issues.
Do overseas directors need to verify?
Yes. Overseas directors are required to complete Companies House identity verification in the same way as UK-based directors.
Where UK-issued ID is unavailable, verification typically needs to be completed via an ACSP.
Is there a deadline in 2026?
There is no future deadline because identity verification is already mandatory and must be completed before filings are made.
If a required individual is unverified at the time of submission, the filing can be rejected.
What are the penalties for failing to comply with Companies House Identity Verification?
Failure to comply can result in blocked filings, financial penalties, and potential director disqualification in serious or continued cases.
Both the individual and the company may face consequences where identity verification requirements are not met.
While the rules themselves are clear, most non-compliance issues we’re seeing are caused by misunderstandings rather than refusal to comply. The most common mistakes include:
1. Assuming your accountant has already verified you
Many directors assume that because their accountant files on their behalf, identity verification is automatically handled.
It isn’t. Unless your accountant is registered as an ACSP and has completed verification for you, your identity may still be unverified even if filings were submitted in the past.
2. Believing company verification covers personal verification
Each director, PSC, or LLP member must complete identity verification personally. Verifying one individual does not cover others. Company-level compliance does not replace personal verification.
3. Overlooking Persons of Significant Control
PSCs are frequently missed, particularly where they are:
However, if a PSC is unverified, filings can still be blocked and cause compliance issues.
4. Assuming overseas directors are exempt
Overseas directors are not exempt from identity verification.
Where UK-issued identification isn’t available, verification usually needs to be completed via an ACSP. Delays often occur because this is only discovered when a filing is due.
5. Verifying once and forgetting about it
While identity verification itself is not repeated annually, the verification code issued is required for ongoing filings.
Problems arise when:
6. Leaving verification until a filing deadline
Companies that only file once a year are often among the most commonly caught out.
Identity verification issues usually surface at the point of filing, not in advance. This is why confirmation statements and other statutory filings are often rejected at the last minute.
7. Using an agent who isn't authorised
If an agent is not authorised, they cannot legally submit filings, even if they have done so in the past. This often only becomes apparent when Companies House rejects a submission.
This post was created on 16/02/2026.
Please be aware that information provided by this blog is subject to regular legal and regulatory change. We recommend that you do not take any information held within our website or guides (eBooks) as a definitive guide to the law on the relevant matter being discussed. We suggest your course of action should be to seek legal or professional advice where necessary rather than relying on the content supplied by the author(s) of this blog.
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