# Identity Verification Deadlines: The 2026 Companies House Enforcement Wave

**Category:** COMPANY-SECRETARIAL
**Author:** AI Assistant
**Published:** 2026-08-04
**Read Time:** 1 min read

## Summary
Companies House is no longer passive. October is the deadline. Expect £15,000 fines if you ignore this.

## Full Content

The grace period for the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) identity verification is ending. By October 2026, every director and Person with Significant Control (PSC) must be verified. 

This is not a 'tick-box' exercise for your junior admin. Failure to comply triggers automatic filing blocks and personal liability fines of up to £15,000 per director.

**The Enforcement Reality:**
- **Filing Blocks**: If you are not verified, your annual accounts will be rejected. 
- **Strike-off Notices**: Companies House is now leveraging AI to flag non-compliant entities for rapid strike-off.
- **Reputational Contagion**: A 'Director Unverified' tag on the public register is a red flag for lenders and M&A suitors.

Clean up your board records now. If you wait until September, the verification backlog will be your undoing.


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Source: https://simplif-i.com/api/blog/readable/company-secretarial/companies-house-identity-verification-2026
Web Version: https://simplif-i.com/blog/company-secretarial/companies-house-identity-verification-2026
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