The nation is implementing a new UK company law 2026 to the people behind its business structures. During 2026, individuals holding key positions must deal with additional checks, while the Companies House registrar powers has gained broader authority to question doubtful submissions and request evidence.
Identity verification for Companies House 2026 is central to this reform. The rollout started on 18 November 2025 and continues through the year. People joining a business after that date face the new process first, while those already listed are being brought into the system according to separate deadlines.
So, who needs to verify identity with Companies House? The principal groups are PSCs. Those who prefer assistance can also complete the required checks through an authorised agent professional.
All of this needs to be considered when deciding on UK company registration 2026 or acquiring an organization.
UK Company Law 2026 at a Glance
| Measure | Start date | People affected | What to do |
| New checks for key roles | 18 November 2025 | New leaders and PSCs | Go through the demanded process |
| Existing participants added to the system | Until November 2026 | Current chiefs and PSCs | Receive a code and use it when required |
| Greater scrutiny of filings | Phased rollout | UK businesses and filing agents | Review submissions before filing |
| ACSP route | From 2025 | Accountants and other eligible advisers | Use an authorised professional if preferred |
| Additional filing measures | No earlier than November 2026 | Third-party filing agents | Follow the new procedure once introduced |
People already holding relevant positions will deal with UK company law 2026 throughout the following year.
Companies House Identity Verification 2026
The purpose of the UK company law changes 2026 is to connect a genuine individual with the position they hold within a local business.
A biometric passport from any country can be used through the digital route. Certain UK-issued photographic documents are accepted as well. Once the check has been passed, a code is issued for use with the relevant role.
For someone involved with several regional businesses, this is useful because the same code can be connected with more than one position.
Companies House Identity Verification for Directors
Concerning Companies House new rules for directors, the timeline hinges on when the designation takes place.
Someone completing a company formation UK must deal with the process before the relevant filing is made. Those already serving in such positions are being brought into the system during the 12-month rollout, usually in connection with the upcoming data update.
Companies House Identity Verification for PSCs
When it comes to PSC identity verification UK companies, there is a somewhat different timetable.
Where a PSC also serves as a director, the timing generally follows the business’s confirmation statement cycle. Someone who has significant control but does not hold that position has a 14-day period connected with their birth month. Newly recorded PSCs have a separate 14-day period following the relevant filing.
This distinction becomes important when ownership and management are handled by different people. It also makes UK beneficial ownership verification an increasingly important part of UK corporate transparency.
Identity Verification in 5 Steps
According to UK company law reform:
- Open or create an account. Go to the GOV.UK portal and select the relevant procedure.
- Enter your details. Supply the details requested by the system.
- Submit an accepted document. A biometric passport issued anywhere in the world can be used through the digital route, alongside certain UK documents.
- Finish the check. The system compares the document with a facial image. Alternative routes exist for people unable to use the digital option.
- Receive your code. Once the process has been passed, a code is issued. It can then be linked with the relevant position when the necessary filing takes place.
How to Verify Identity for Companies House
The choice is not limited to one method. GOV.UK One Login provides the main digital route. Some people can use an in-person Post Office option instead. A third possibility is assistance from an authorised intermediary.
An authorised corporate service provider UK may be an accountant, solicitor, formation specialist or another eligible professional holding such status. A professional carries out the required checks and sends the result to the relevant authority.
This can be particularly practical for overseas entrepreneurs who already rely on a UK adviser for filings and administration.
UK Company Law Changes for Foreign Directors
The alterations for overseas chiefs are relevant to anyone managing a UK business from abroad. Living outside Britain does not, by itself, remove the obligation to take part in the new process.
A non-UK passport is not a barrier to the digital route. Biometric passports issued by countries outside Britain can be accepted.
Where several people involved in one business live in different jurisdictions, each person deals with their own procedure separately.
Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2026
There is an important naming point here. The legislation behind these reforms is the Act of 2023. References to the 2026 Act generally arise because a substantial part of its implementation is taking place during 2026.
The broader aim is to make local business records more reliable and reduce opportunities for misuse.
By June 2026, the Registrar had reported substantial action against misleading material and closer cooperation with HMRC, the Insolvency Service and other public authorities.
New Powers of Companies House Changes 2026
They give the Registrar greater scope to examine what businesses submit.
The relevant authority may:
- ask for evidence supporting a filing;
- question material that appears inaccurate;
- remove certain entries;
- intervene where unsuitable premises are being used for official correspondence;
- share relevant material with public authorities;
- examine filings for signs of misuse.
How Will Identity Verification Affect UK Companies?
The main consequence is an additional administrative task for people holding relevant positions.
Businesses should keep track of:
- who occupies each relevant position;
- when each person must go through the process;
- where their codes are kept;
- the next confirmation statement date;
- whether an external filing agent has the necessary status.
The workload is likely to be greater for businesses with several owners, international participants or frequent changes among senior personnel.
Companies House Compliance Requirements 2026
Criteria regarding UK company compliance 2026 involve more than the new individual checks.
A business should regularly review its ownership structure, PSC details and management records. Filing dates should also be monitored.
A practical review can include:
- current management positions;
- PSC details;
- issued codes;
- upcoming filing dates;
- premises used for official correspondence;
- submissions prepared by outside advisers;
- messages received from the authority.
ACSP Identity Verification UK
An ACSP may be an accountant, solicitor, formation specialist or another eligible professional subject to the required authorisation and AML supervision.
The professional conducts the necessary checks and reports the outcome. For an international business that already works with a local adviser, this may be the more convenient option.
What Companies Should Do Before the New Companies House Reforms Apply
- Review everyone currently holding a relevant position.
- Identify anyone who still needs to go through the new process.
- Check the deadline applying to each person.
- Keep issued codes in a secure location.
- Review PSC data for accuracy.
- Note the next confirmation statement date.
- Check the premises used for official correspondence.
- Look through earlier filings for inconsistencies.
- Ask outside filing agents whether they hold ACSP status where relevant.
- Follow UK corporate law changes announcements throughout the year.
- Review the latest UK company registration requirements if forming or restructuring a business.
FAQ
What is changing in UK company law 2026?
UK company law 2026 introduces checks for board members and PSCs alongside broader scrutiny of submissions and stronger action against misleading material.
What is Companies House identity verification?
Companies House identity verification is a process through which an individual demonstrates that they are a person connected with a particular role.
Who needs to verify their identity with Companies House?
The main groups are individual directors and PSCs. Other positions are being brought into the framework at later stages.
Do UK company directors need to verify their identity?
Yes, company director identity verification is needed. New appointments entered the process on 18 November 2025, while existing directors are being brought into the system during the 12-month rollout.
Do PSCs need to complete identity verification?
Yes. The timing depends on the PSC’s circumstances and whether that person also holds a board position.
Can multinational firm leaders confirm their details?
Yes. People living outside the nation can use a process, and biometric passports issued by countries outside Britain can be accepted through the digital route.
What are the new Companies House powers?
According to Companies House new powers, the authority can examine filings more closely, request supporting material, remove certain entries, intervene over unsuitable premises used for official correspondence and share relevant material with public authorities.
- UK Company Law 2026 at a Glance
- Companies House Identity Verification 2026
- Companies House Identity Verification for Directors
- Companies House Identity Verification for PSCs
- Identity Verification in 5 Steps
- How to Verify Identity for Companies House
- UK Company Law Changes for Foreign Directors
- Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2026
- New Powers of Companies House Changes 2026
- How Will Identity Verification Affect UK Companies?
- Companies House Compliance Requirements 2026
- ACSP Identity Verification UK
- What Companies Should Do Before the New Companies House Reforms Apply
- FAQ