Companies House Identity Checks: Design the Process Around the Person, Not the Deadline

Companies House Identity Checks: Design the Process Around the Person, Not the Deadline

A single calendar reminder is not a company secretarial process. Identity verification has different steps for new directors, existing directors and people with significant control (PSCs). Build a person-by-person register, then connect each record to the relevant appointment, filing and confirmation-statement workflow.

Companies House states that identity verification became a legal requirement from 18 November 2025. Its guidance describes a 12-month transition period for existing directors and PSCs. That is not a universal filing deadline on one date: existing directors verify by the time of the company's next confirmation statement, while PSC steps depend on their circumstances. Companies House, verify your identity and when you need to verify

Build a controlled person register

For every relevant individual, record their role, entity, appointment or status date, identity-verification status, Companies House personal code status where relevant, next action, due event and accountable owner. Restrict access to personal information and retain only what the organisation needs for the process.

Do not treat a director and a PSC as interchangeable records. A person may hold both roles, and the filing steps can differ. Companies House guidance says new directors need to verify before appointment. Existing directors must verify by the time the company files its next confirmation statement during the transition period. Companies House, when you need to verify

Treat the personal code as a controlled hand-off

Verification and filing are separate operational events. Make sure the person knows how to complete identity verification and return the personal code through an approved, secure channel. Record completion, not just that an email was sent. For PSCs, follow the current Companies House instructions for the person's circumstances and the relevant filing window. Companies House, PSC guidance

Before a confirmation statement is submitted, run a pre-filing check: identify directors, confirm each required identity-verification step is complete, confirm codes are available where needed, and assign an authorised filer. Companies House's confirmation-statement guidance explains the director verification requirement for filing. Companies House, filing your confirmation statement

Make the control repeatable

Use a change trigger for appointments, cessations and PSC changes. Reconcile the internal register to the public record on a defined schedule. Escalate exceptions early, with a named decision-maker and a dated next action. Keep evidence that the check was completed, but do not circulate identity documents unnecessarily.

The useful outcome is not a dramatic deadline campaign. It is a reliable company secretarial process that can answer four questions quickly: who is in scope, what step applies, who owns it and what evidence proves completion. Simplif-i's company secretarial platform supports governance and filing workflows. Verify the exact requirements against current Companies House guidance before each filing.