For decades, the UK has been one of the easiest places in the world to set up a company. However, that ease of use came with a loophole that was often exploited by bad actors. As part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, those days are officially over.

As we move through 2026, we are now in the heart of the "transition year." If you are a director or a Person with Significant Control (PSC), "proving who you are" is no longer a suggestion—it is a strict legal requirement. At CoreAcc Accountants, we are guiding our clients through this new digital hurdle to ensure their companies stay on the right side of the law.

1. Who Needs to Verify?

The new rules cast a wide net. You must verify your identity if you are:

● An existing director of a UK company.

● A new director being appointed (verification must happen before the appointment is filed).

● A Person with Significant Control (PSC).

● An LLP Member.

The 2026 Deadline: While the rules began rolling out in November 2025, existing directors have a 12-month grace period. You must be verified by the time your company files its first Confirmation Statement after 18 November 2025. This means by November 2026, the entire register must be verified.

2. How the Process Works

Once you verify your identity, you are issued a Companies House Personal Code. This is an 11-digit alphanumeric code that stays with you for life—regardless of how many companies you run.

There are two main ways to get your code:

● Directly via GOV.UK One Login: Using a smartphone app to scan a biometric ID (like a passport) and taking a "selfie" to match your face to the document.

● Via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP): If you prefer not to use the app or have complex ID requirements, you can use a registered intermediary—like CoreAcc Accountants—to verify you and report back to Companies House.

3. The Risks of "Ignoring the Email"

Companies House has been granted significant new enforcement powers, and they aren't afraid to use them. If you fail to verify by your deadline:

● Filing Blockade: You will be unable to file your annual Confirmation Statement. This will eventually lead to your company being marked as "Overdue" and eventually struck off the register.

● Public "Unverified" Status: A note will be placed against your name on the public register. This is a massive red flag for banks, lenders, and potential suppliers.

● Criminal Offence: Acting as a director while unverified is now a criminal offence, punishable by a fine or, in persistent cases, prosecution.

● Director Disqualification: Continued non-compliance can lead to being banned from acting as a director for up to 15 years.

4. A Special Note for PSCs

If you are a PSC but not a director, your deadline is slightly different. You generally have a 14-day window to verify, which is triggered by the first day of your birth month in 2026. For example, if your birthday is in June, your verification window opens on 1 June 2026.

How CoreAcc Accountants Can Help

Identity verification is the "gatekeeper" to your business’s legal standing. If you can’t verify, you can’t trade. CoreAcc Accountants is a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), meaning we can handle this entire headache for you. We provide:

● Identity Verification Services: We can verify your ID and the IDs of your fellow directors, acting as your official link to Companies House.

● Compliance Monitoring: We track the "Verification Due Dates" for all your directors and PSCs to ensure no one misses a deadline.

● Code Management: We’ll help you manage and securely store your Personal Codes for future filings.

● Foreign Director Support: If you have directors living overseas who are struggling with the UK GOV.UK app, we can facilitate the manual verification process required for non-UK residents.

Get in Touch

Don't let a missing ID check put your company at risk. Let CoreAcc Accountants get your identity "Personal Code" sorted today.

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