While understanding the upcoming identity verification with Companies House is important, it is also vital to understand the penalties that await any who fail to comply with this new requirement.
From 18 November 2025, new directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) must verify their identity at appointment and existing officeholders have a 12-month transition window and face enforcement from 18 November 2026 for non-compliance.
What happens if you fail to verify your identity?
Verifying your identity with Companies House is a strict legal requirement, with serious penalties for those who fail to comply.
Once the regime is live, any person who should have been verified but has not done so will be unable to file a Confirmation Statement for their company.
This in itself is the catalyst for a number of problems that will prevent compliance across many of your business’s operations.
Failure to file a Confirmation Statement leaves a company and its directors open to fines, personal liability and prosecution for breaching the Companies Act 2006.
It can also result in the company being struck off the register for non-compliance.
Prosecutors and regulators will expect companies to follow the rules, although there is some degree of grace and understanding during the transition period.
However, from November 2026, the tolerances of the transition period evaporate and fines for officers, the risk of official strike-off action and, in serious cases, director disqualification become realistic outcomes for persistent non-compliance.
Being unable to file means your public record can become inaccurate and your company’s good standing may be impaired.
That can affect corporate transactions, limit the ability to raise finance and undermine trust with customers and suppliers.
Director disqualification or a formal strike-off also carries reputational damage that lasts well beyond any immediate fine and will impact a person’s ability to work even with other companies.
The regime is designed to protect the integrity of the register and failing to act exposes both individuals and companies to avoidable disruption.
How do you verify your identity to stay compliant?
Verification can be completed by the individual using GOV.UK One Login, but for many businesses, the sensible route is to use a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
ACSPs are authorised to handle identity checks on your behalf, manage the process end-to-end and submit filings to Companies House.
This all serves to reduce the chance of errors and delays and will ensure that the process is completed in a way that will avoid penalties.
If you choose to use an ACSP, check they are properly registered as only authorised providers can perform the verification tasks that Companies House requires.
Careful planning is the best way to stay ahead of the deadline.
List every director and PSC and note each company’s Confirmation Statement date, as this will tell you when the identity verification must be completed.
You should note that particular rules apply to PSCs who are not also directors.
You should communicate the timetable clearly to anyone who must verify, particularly those overseas or who may struggle to provide standard ID documents.
It may be worth designating an individual to coordinate the process internally and liaise with the ACSP if multiple verifications are needed.
Ensure that you record each verification and retain the evidence so you can demonstrate compliance if Companies House queries your filings.
It may feel like you have plenty of time before the deadline, but the severity means you cannot afford to make mistakes.
If you’d like a practical audit of your register, help coordinating bulk verifications, or assistance with an ACSP relationship, then we are on hand to give you expert support and guidance.
Don’t risk facing the penalties for not verifying identity. Speak to our team today!
