Companies House Identity Verification 2026: What Every UK LTD Director Must Know (Deadline, Process, Penalties)
Mandatory Identity Verification Is Here
Since November 18, 2025, every director and Person with Significant Control (PSC) of a UK company must complete identity verification with Companies House. This is not optional — it is a legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), the biggest reform of Companies House in 180 years.
For existing companies, there is a transitional period: directors and PSCs have until November 18, 2026 to comply. After that date, failure to verify will carry serious consequences.
Who Must Verify?
- All directors — regardless of where they live. Non-UK residents are not exempt.
- All PSCs — individuals holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights.
- New directors and PSCs — must verify before taking up their role.
If you are a Polish entrepreneur running a UK LTD from Poland, this applies to you.
Key Deadline: November 18, 2026
Why you should act now rather than later:
- System overload — hundreds of thousands of directors will attempt verification in the final weeks
- Document challenges — non-UK residents may need additional time to obtain required documents
- PSC deadlines are shorter — PSCs have a 14-day verification window tied to their birth month
- Banking risks — banks may freeze accounts of unverified companies
Two Verification Routes
Route 1: GOV.UK One Login (Free)
Self-service verification through the government portal. Requires a biometric ID document (passport or chipped ID card), an NFC-enabled smartphone, and a facial scan.
Route 2: Authorised Corporate Service Provider — ACSP (Paid)
Verification through a regulated professional — accountants, solicitors, or company formation agents. This route is particularly suitable for non-UK residents and those who encounter difficulties with GOV.UK One Login.
What Happens If You Don’t Verify?
- Financial penalties from Companies House
- Compliance annotation on your company’s public register entry
- Bank account freezes
- Criminal liability for persistent non-compliance under ECCTA
Act Now
Identity verification is the biggest change to UK company administration in decades. As a company director, you cannot afford to ignore it.
Need help with your LTD? Contact Semper Paratus — we support Polish entrepreneurs with UK companies:
📞 +48 530 447 230 (PL) | +44 745 638 6117 (UK)
📧 [email protected]
📅 Book a free consultation: calendly.com/semperparatus
📍 42-44 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AH, London
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
