What is Companies House identity verification?

Identity verification is a new legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. All company directors and PSCs must verify their identity to receive a Companies House personal code.

How much does identity verification cost?

Digital verification starts from £39, with video call verification available from £49. We also offer in-person verification from £59 and priority same-day service at £99.

How long does verification take?

Most digital verifications are completed within 24 hours. The actual identity check takes just 5-10 minutes.

What documents do I need?

For digital verification, you need a biometric passport or UK driving licence. For video call and in-person verification, a wider range of documents is accepted including national ID cards.

Companies House changes in 2026: identity verification, fees and key dates

Two big changes affect every UK company in 2026: mandatory identity verification for directors and people with significant control (PSCs), and a rise in Companies House fees from 1 February 2026. This page is a plain-English reference to both, with the key dates and figures, verified against GOV.UK.

Key facts

IDV mandatory from:: 18 November 2025 (12-month transition to ~mid-November 2026)
Who must verify:: Every director and PSC
Incorporation fee:: £100 digital, from 1 February 2026 (was £50)
Confirmation statement:: £50 digital, from 1 February 2026 (was £34)
Personal code:: 11-character, issued by Companies House, reusable across roles
People to verify:: An estimated 6–7 million by mid-November 2026

Identity verification (ECCTA)

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, identity verification became mandatory on 18 November 2025. There's a 12-month transition to around mid-November 2026, during which an estimated 6–7 million people need to verify.

New companies: directors and PSCs verify at the point of incorporation.
Existing companies: verify their directors and PSCs by the company's confirmation statement due date during the transition.
A PSC who is not a director: gets a 14-day window to provide their personal code, starting on the first day of their month of birth as shown on the register.

Verification is person-level: you verify once and receive a reusable Companies House personal code. You can do it free via GOV.UK One Login, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) — and you can verify before you incorporate.

The 1 February 2026 fee changes

Filing (digital)	Before	From 1 Feb 2026
Incorporate a company	£50	£100
Confirmation statement (annual)	£34	£50

These are statutory Companies House fees, set on a cost-recovery basis and separate from any formation-agent or service fee. See why the fees went up and the full cost of forming a company in 2026.

Where to go next

TaxStats Ltd is a Companies House Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP AP006589). This page is for general information; always check current GOV.UK guidance for your specific situation.

Frequently asked questions

When did identity verification become mandatory at Companies House?

On 18 November 2025, starting a 12-month transition period running to around mid-November 2026.

How much are Companies House fees in 2026?

From 1 February 2026, digital incorporation is £100 (up from £50) and the digital confirmation statement is £50 (up from £34). These are statutory fees, separate from any agent fee.

Who has to verify their identity?

Every company director and every person with significant control (PSC). New companies verify at incorporation; existing companies verify their people by their confirmation statement due date during the transition.

What is a personal code?

An 11-character identifier issued by Companies House once your identity is verified. It is tied to you, not a company, and can be reused across every role you hold.

Written and reviewed by TaxStats ID

TaxStats Ltd is a Companies House Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP AP006589) — an independent agent authorised by Companies House, not Companies House or a government body. We verify identities and submit them on your behalf; the Companies House personal code is issued by Companies House. Last updated June 2026; checked against GOV.UK guidance. Our Companies House record