In relation to a private limited company, the following people now have to prove they are who they say they are by verifying their identity:

• existing directors,
• new directors,
• existing people with significant control (PSCs),
• new PSCs.

These individuals will need to verify their identity irrespective of their nationality or where they are resident.

Those delivering documents to the Registrar at Companies House (CH) are expected to have to verify their identity from Spring 2026. This includes anyone delivering documents to the Registrar on behalf of another person or entity, including a company secretary.

Corporate directors of companies and officers of corporate PSCs (relevant legal entities) will also be required to verify their identities but this will be at a later, as yet unspecified, date.

Identity verification will ensure that there is always a verified natural person associated with an incorporation or a filing. Each director, PSC and those presenting information on the register will have an account that includes a verified identity and links their appointment in one place. Where an individual has more than one role or is registered with multiple companies as a director or a PSC, all that information will be contained in one place on the register. Therefore, this change will impact every UK registered company.

Registration will require a legitimate identity document to be provided and matched to the individual. There are different rules for new and existing directors and PSCs.

ID verification is a one-off requirement. Once a person is verified, they obtain a verified status. There may be instances where re-verification is required, for example, if someone changes their name. 

ID verification is a two step process - firstly the individual needs to have their identity verified, which will generate their unique identifier (their CH personal code). This personal code then needs to be provided to CH to confirm that their identity has been verified.

It is expected that the systems at CH will ensure that a person who is registered as a director will automatically receive a digital notification informing them of their appointment and giving them the opportunity to challenge it.