Companies House identity verification is no longer a future reform. Mandatory verification began on 18 November 2025 for new directors and people with significant control, while existing company officers have been moving through a 12-month transition period.
For many existing directors, the practical deadline is linked to the next confirmation statement rather than one universal calendar day. That makes company-level compliance tracking more useful than simply circling November 2026 in a diary.
Existing directors should map the confirmation-statement cycle
Companies House guidance says existing directors need to provide their personal code in connection with the company's next confirmation statement during the transition. Where somebody is a director of more than one company, each role needs to be connected correctly.
The personal code is therefore an identity credential, not a substitute for the company's own filing obligations. Companies should know who has verified, which roles have been linked and which confirmation statement will trigger the requirement.
Verification can be direct or through an authorised provider
Individuals can verify directly with Companies House or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, depending on the route and circumstances. Businesses using external accountants or company-secretarial providers should confirm who is responsible for the verification step and who retains evidence that it was completed.
The risk with a phased regime is assuming somebody else has handled it. A simple register of directors, PSCs, Companies House personal codes and required filing dates can prevent last-minute problems.
The reform changes the quality of the register
Identity verification sits inside the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency reforms intended to increase confidence in the companies register and make abuse harder. It also means the register is becoming more operationally demanding for legitimate companies.
BBR will keep the transition date and implementation guidance inside its permanent regulation calendar. Businesses should rely on the latest Companies House instructions for their specific filing rather than older summaries written before mandatory verification began.