Companies House Director Identity Verification: What Businesses Need to Know in 2026

Companies House identity verification is now a legal requirement for company directors and other individuals within scope of the new Companies House identity-verification regime. The requirement was introduced from 18 November 2025, with a 12-month transition period for existing companies.

Identity verification can be completed directly through GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Companies House requires ACSP checks to meet the same required level of assurance as verification completed directly with Companies House.

What does director identity verification mean?

The purpose of identity verification is to establish that an individual acting as a director is who they claim to be. The requirement forms part of wider reforms introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), intended to improve the reliability of information held on the Companies House register and reduce the risk of companies being used for unlawful purposes.

For new companies, directors need to complete the applicable identity-verification process as part of incorporation. New director appointments are also subject to the requirement. Existing directors are being brought into the regime during the transition period, with verification linked to their company's confirmation statement timetable.

There is more than one way to verify

A director does not necessarily have to complete the verification process directly through the GOV.UK One Login route.

Companies House provides two principal routes:

• Direct verification through GOV.UK One Login
• Verification through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

An ACSP can verify an individual's identity on behalf of Companies House, provided the required verification standard is met.

This distinction can be particularly relevant where a director's circumstances make the standard digital route less straightforward, including some international situations.

International and overseas directors

Living outside the UK does not, by itself, remove a director from the Companies House identity-verification requirements.

Companies House guidance expressly includes directors of overseas companies registered in the UK within the individuals who may need to verify their identity.

However, terminology such as "international director," "overseas director" and "non-UK resident director" can describe overlapping practical circumstances rather than formal Companies House classifications.

The important questions are the individual's actual corporate role, residence and circumstances, together with the applicable Companies House requirements.

For directors using international identity documents, differences in names, alphabets, transliteration and document formats can also become practical considerations during verification.

The Companies House Personal Code

Once an individual has successfully verified their identity, Companies House provides an 11-character personal code. The code belongs to the individual rather than to the company.

Directors use their personal code to confirm that they have completed identity verification when required for their company appointments. If an individual is a director of multiple companies, the same personal code is used to confirm verification for each appointment.

This makes it important for directors to retain their personal code securely after verification.

What should companies do now?

Companies should not wait until the end of the transition period to start considering identity verification.

A practical approach is to:

1. Identify all directors and other individuals within scope.
2. Determine whether they have already completed identity verification.
3. Establish which verification route is appropriate.
4. Complete verification and retain the resulting personal code.
5. Check the company's upcoming filing and confirmation-statement requirements.
6. Address any unusual circumstances early, particularly where international documents or complex corporate structures are involved.

Companies House itself encourages people to verify early rather than waiting until their relevant filing deadline.

How Coddan can help

Coddan provides Companies House identity-verification services through its ACSP framework for customers who need assistance with the verification process.

Our director identity-verification resources cover different circumstances rather than treating every director as the same type of customer.

For example:

• New directors can follow the identity-verification process alongside company formation or a new appointment.
• Existing directors can prepare for verification during the transition period.
• Overseas directors can review the practical considerations associated with living outside the UK.
• International directors can consider the appropriate verification route for their particular circumstances.
• Customers forming a new UK company can consider company formation and director identity verification together.

The appropriate route depends on the individual's circumstances and the requirements that apply to the particular company role.

If you need assistance completing these statutory checks, you can explore our multi-tier director identity verification packages to secure your 11-character personal code.