If you are a company director or person with significant control, identity verification has been a legal requirement since 18 November 2025, introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
If you want a full breakdown of what identity verification is, who needs to verify, deadlines by role, and how to complete the process step by step, we have covered all of that separately. Read our complete guide: Companies House Identity Verification Guide
This article focuses on something different. It covers what Companies House has put in place to help businesses get through this change without unnecessary stress, and how FigsFlow helps accountants manage the identity and AML checks they need to run for their clients.
Key Points at a Glance
- Identity verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025 under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act
- The 18 November 2025 date opened a 12-month window for existing directors and PSCs to get compliant. It was not an immediate deadline
- Companies House opened early access to verification on 8 April 2025, and more than one million people completed the process before the mandatory start date
- Support includes direct email communications, step-by-step videos, guidance documents, and a dedicated technical helpline
- FigsFlow helps accountants run AML and identity checks on clients as part of the same onboarding workflow
What Is Companies House Identity Verification
Identity verification is a legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. It requires every director, person with significant control, and other qualifying role holders to confirm who they are before acting on behalf of a UK company. The requirement came into force on 18 November 2025.
Once verified, Companies House issues you a unique 11-character personal code. That code is personal to you, not tied to any specific company. If you hold multiple directorships, one verification covers all of them.
It is worth noting that completing the identity check and submitting your personal code are separate steps. The check gives you the code. You then need to provide it through the appropriate filing or service to formally connect your verified identity to each role you hold.
How Companies House Is Helping Businesses Through the Transition
Companies House opened early access to verification on 8 April 2025, giving businesses several months to get ahead before the requirement became mandatory. More than one million people verified during that early period. The approach since then has been to reduce friction wherever possible, through targeted communication, accessible guidance, and a 12-month window for existing role holders to comply.
Direct Communication to Registered Companies
Since 4 March 2024, all companies have been required to hold a registered email address with Companies House. That address is now the primary channel for identity verification updates. Rather than generic reminders, the emails include specific action steps, relevant deadlines, and direct links to guidance based on each company’s situation.
If your registered email address belongs to your accountant or agent, it is worth checking that those communications are being passed on to you.
Online Guidance and Resources
Companies House has published comprehensive guidance through a dedicated website that has received over 700,000 visits. The content is role-specific, breaking down the process for directors, PSCs, and ACSPs separately. There are short explainer videos, worked examples, and FAQs alongside the written guidance. None of it assumes you already know how the process works.
Support Through Business Organisations
To reach business owners who may not be actively monitoring Companies House directly, the guidance was distributed through the Federation of Small Businesses, ICAEW, and other professional networks. The information reached people through the organisations and advisers they were already in contact with.
A Dedicated Technical Helpline
Companies House set up a separate helpline specifically for GOV.UK One Login issues. This is distinct from the general Companies House contact line, so technical queries get to the right team without delay.
The Transition Period
The most practical support measure is the rollout structure itself. Existing directors and PSCs have until 17 November 2026 to comply. Companies House has been clear that this 12-month window exists so businesses can get organised properly, not at the last minute.
The table below summarises the full support offering:
What Happens If You Do Not Comply
After 17 November 2026, Companies House will add a public note to the register against anyone who has not complied. Unverified individuals will be unable to be appointed as a new director, register a new company, or register as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. Continuing to act as a director without completing verification after that date is a criminal offence. Both the individual and the company could face prosecution and financial penalties.
How FigsFlow Helps Accountants With Identity Verification for Clients
For accountants registered as Authorised Corporate Service Providers, verifying a client’s identity is a compliance obligation with real legal weight. You are confirming to Companies House that the person is who they claim to be, keeping records for seven years, and taking responsibility for the outcome.
FigsFlow handles this within the same platform you already use for proposals, engagement letters, and pricing. Its AML and ID verification module covers client document validation, face match and liveness checks, Companies House identity verification checks, PEP and sanctions screening through LexisNexis World Compliance Data, a full audit trail, and a secure client onboarding link so clients submit their own documents directly.
AML checks are priced on a pay-as-you-go basis from £3 per check, with PEP screening, sanctions, liveness, and Companies House verification all included in that price.
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Helpful Resources & Links for 2026 Verification
- Verify your identity for Companies House: Official GOV.UK guidance walking through the complete verification process, document requirements, and available routes.
- Find an Authorised Corporate Service Provider: Searchable list of ACSPs registered with Companies House who can verify identity on your behalf.
- Changes to UK company law: Companies House campaign site covering all Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act changes, including identity verification, registered email addresses, and filing requirements.
- Identity Verification Through ACSP: Why identity verification creates new revenue opportunities for accountants, how to register as an ACSP, and what clients expect from professional verification services.
- Directors’ Identity Verification Engagement Letter Templates for Accountancy Firms Registered as ACSP: Ready-to-use engagement letter templates for identity verification services, including scope, fees, client responsibilities, and MLR compliance requirements.
- ACSP: How Can Accountants Prove & Verify Clients’ Identity: Complete guide to ACSP identity verification standards, covering acceptable documents, verification procedures, record-keeping, and compliance with Companies House requirements.
These resources will help you prepare for identity verification and ensure you don’t miss any steps.
Final Thoughts
Companies House has invested heavily in making this transition manageable. The guidance is specific, the support is accessible, and the 12-month window exists precisely so businesses have no excuse to be caught out.
If you are a director or PSC who has not yet verified, the process is free and takes under 20 minutes. Get it done now and share your personal code with whoever handles your Companies House filings. If you are an accountant managing verification for clients, FigsFlow brings the identity checks, AML screening, and compliance records into the same place you already manage the rest of your client work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You have two options: verify yourself for free using GOV.UK One Login (through a smartphone app, online security questions, or Post Office visit), or use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider like an accountant or solicitor who verifies your identity on your behalf for a fee, typically between £50 and £150.
Yes. From 18 November 2025, identity verification is mandatory for all company directors and people with significant control (anyone owning more than 25% of shares or voting rights). The requirement also applies to LLP members, general partners in limited partnerships, and managing officers.
Unverified directors cannot file documents at Companies House, cannot be legally appointed to new director roles, and risk criminal penalties for acting as a director without verification. Your accountant cannot file your confirmation statement until you provide your personal code, which blocks routine compliance filings.
It depends on your role. New directors appointed on or after 18 November 2025 must verify before their appointment is submitted. Existing directors must provide their personal code in their company’s next confirmation statement. PSCs have a 14-day window that varies depending on whether they are also a director. All existing role holders have until 17 November 2026 at the latest.
No. The GOV.UK One Login process typically takes 10 to 20 minutes if you have the right documents ready (UK passport, photo driving licence, or biometric residence permit). The system guides you through each step, and Companies House provides video tutorials and detailed guidance on their campaign website.
