Companies House have now begun contacting Directors about the upcoming changes to ID Verification (IDV). The changes will be rolled out in stages, and it’s essential to familiarise yourself with the new requirements and ensure you are prepared in advance to avoid any issues when the changes become mandatory.
Once Directors and PSC’s have completed the new Director ID Verification process, they will receive a code which is specific to them as an individual, this will then be entered onto confirmation statements and accounts when filed. Without this code, those documents will not be accepted by Companies House which could lead to fines if the documents are filed late.
PM+M are an Authorised Corporate Service Provider and therefore if PM+M file your accounts and confirmation statements for you, all you need to do is pass on your ID Verification number and we will do the rest.
WHAT IS CHANGING?
The changes mean that Directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) will need to undergo mandatory ID verification for any new appointments to a company and for all new company formations starting from 18th November 2025.
Directors
You will need to provide your Companies House personal code as part of your company’s next confirmation statement from 18 November 2025.
If you are a Director of more than one company, you will need to do this for each company.
If you’re registering a new company, you’ll be asked to provide the Companies House personal code for each director as part of the registration filing.
People with significant control (PSCs)
PSCs must verify their identity and provide their Companies House personal code. The period for doing this depends on your situation.
- If you’re both a director and a PSC of the same company
You’ll need to provide your personal code separately for each role.
As a Director, you must provide the code in the company’s confirmation statement.
As a PSC, you must provide it using a separate service within 14 days of your company’s confirmation statement date. This service will be available when the requirement comes into force on 18 November 2025. If PM+M prepare and submit your confirmation statement we will also ensure this is completed.
- If you’re a PSC but not a director of the same company
You must provide your personal code within the first 14 days of your birth month. For example, if your date of birth is 22 January, your 14 day period will begin on 1 January.
- If you become a PSC after 18 November 2025
You must provide your personal code within 14 days of being added to the Companies House register.
CURRENT TIMELINE
- 18 November 2025: Directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) must comply with mandatory ID verification for any new appointments to a company and for all new company formations.
- Spring 2026: Any individual filing information at Companies House must be ID verified or be an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
- Spring 2026: If directors are not verified, the company or an ACSP will not be able to file confirmation statements due after this date.
- Spring 2026: Directors signing accounts must be verified to file the accounts.
- By November 2026: All directors and PSCs must be ID verified.
WANT TO ACT EARLY?
While it is not yet compulsory, Directors who wish to verify themselves ahead of the mandatory requirement can chose to do so on a voluntary basis. There are three routes available for directors to verify their identity:
Route 1: Directly through Companies House
- Use the GOV.UK One Login system: Verify your identity for Companies House – GOV.UK
- Upload documents (biometric passport, UK driving licence, UK biometric residence permit (BRP), UK biometric residence card (BRC), frontier work permit (FWP)) or answer security questions related to your bank account/other credit agreements, alongside providing a UK passport/driver’s licence.
Route 2: Post office in-branch service (only applies to participating Post Office branches)
- For UK-based individuals who fail GOV.UK verification requirements or do not have access to the app online
- Provide photo ID in person (passport, UK/EU driving licence, EU national ID). Staff will verify your identity and send confirmation to Companies House
Route 3: Via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)*
- PM+M will use SmartSearch Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT) to complete the checks on your behalf
- Upload biometric documents (passport, UK/EU driving licence, UK biometric residence permit (BRP), UK biometric residence card (BRC), frontier work permit (FWP)
*PM+M will have charge £75 plus VAT per Director for this service.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Once the process is completed, by whichever method, Directors will receive their Director IDV code via email. This code should be shared with your Accountant and kept safe for future reference. A Director only needs to be verified once, regardless of how many directorships they hold. This is a one-off process, not an annual requirement.
Get in touch by emailing enquiries@pmm.co.uk or calling 01254 679131.
