Companies House identity verification hard deadline

18 November 2026 is the hard deadline for Companies House identity verification.

Mandatory identity verification for company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) began on 18 November 2025, with a 12-month transition period. That transition ends on 18 November 2026 - by then, existing directors and PSCs should have verified their identity with Companies House.

If you trade through a limited company, this almost certainly applies to you.

Your real deadline may be sooner

18 November 2026 is the outer limit, not necessarily your personal due date:

• Existing directors usually need to verify in time for the company's next confirmation statement - you must provide your personal code when that statement is filed
• PSCs have a 14-day window to confirm verification, which depends on whether they are also a director and (if not) their birth month on the register

Check your due dates by signing into Companies House, or on the public register for your company roles.

What to do

1. Verify your identity via the free GOV.UK One Login service, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (for example your accountant)
2. Keep the personal code Companies House gives you
3. Share that code with whoever files your confirmation statement, and use it for any PSC confirmation you need to make

In most cases you only need to verify once. Do it ahead of your next filing - waiting until November 2026 risks blocking your confirmation statement and attracting follow-up from Companies House.