Companies House Issues Updated Guidance on PSC Identity Verification
Following the introduction of new director identity-verification rules, Companies House has released further guidance explaining how these requirements apply to Persons with Significant Control (PSCs).
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, identity-verification obligations will come into force on 18 November 2025, significantly strengthening company-registration and transparency requirements.
Key requirements from 18 November 2025
From this date, any individual who becomes a company director or PSC must verify their identity with Companies House.
Verification process:
- Individuals may verify their identity either directly with Companies House or through an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP).
- Identity verification is generally required only once.
- After successful verification, Companies House will issue a personal code, which must be provided when submitting a statement confirming identity verification for each company role held.
14-day deadline for PSC identity-confirmation statements
Every PSC must submit a statement confirming their verified status, together with their Companies House personal code, within a 14-day window. The start of this 14-day period varies depending on the PSC’s circumstances:
- PSCs who were already in place on 18 November 2025 and are also directors:
Their 14-day window starts on the first day of the month of the company’s confirmation-statement date. - PSCs who are not directors:
Their 14-day window begins on the first day of their month of birth as recorded on the Companies House register. - New PSCs registered after 18 November 2025:
Companies House will send a notification letter confirming the start date of their 14-day period.
Legal obligations and penalties
These verification duties are statutory requirements. Failure to comply may constitute a criminal offence, with potential penalties including fines or imprisonment, according to the Department for Business and Trade.
Entities covered
The rules apply to a range of legal structures, including:
- registered and unregistered companies
- limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
- Scottish limited partnerships
- Scottish qualifying partnerships
Identity-verification requirements for limited partnerships, corporate directors, corporate LLP members, and officers of corporate PSCs have not yet commenced.
Additional considerations
- Companies House notes that its summary guidance may be sufficient for organisations with simple ownership or control structures, but entities with more complex arrangements may require specialist professional advice.
- Special provisions apply where ownership or control is exercised through a trust or other legal arrangement. Trusts cannot be named as PSCs, and companies must assess each trustee, member, or controlling legal entity against statutory PSC criteria.
- Companies House will email entities using the registered email address on record, providing links and instructions for completing the identity-verification process.
Further resources