If you're a director or a Person with Significant Control (PSC) of a UK company, you've probably already heard the buzz: Companies House now requires everyone in these roles to verify their identity. It's not optional, it's not a suggestion, and it's not something you can quietly ignore. Since 18 November 2025, identity verification has been a legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 - and if you haven't sorted yours out yet, this is the article you need.
At Director Verifications, we've helped hundreds of directors, PSCs, and business owners get through this process without the stress, confusion, or last-minute panic. In this guide, we'll break down exactly what a PSC verification service does, why it matters, and how you can get verified quickly and correctly.
What Is a PSC, Really?
A Person with Significant Control is anyone who owns more than 25% of a company's shares or voting rights, has the right to appoint or remove directors, or otherwise exercises significant influence over how a company is run. If that sounds like you, Companies House already has you listed on the PSC register - and now they need proof that you are who you say you are.
Why Does PSC Verification Exist?
This isn't red tape for the sake of it. The UK government introduced mandatory identity checks to crack down on shell companies, fraud, and money laundering that hide behind fake or anonymous ownership. By confirming that real, identifiable people sit behind every company, Companies House is making the entire business register more transparent and harder to abuse.
The catch is that every PSC has a strict 14-day window to submit their personal code and a verification statement once their deadline period opens. Miss it, and you could be committing an offence, facing a fine, or seeing a note flagged against your name on the public register. That's not the kind of thing you want attached to your business reputation.
How Does the Verification Process Actually Work?
There are two routes to get verified:
- Do it yourself through GOV.UK One Login You can verify directly using your passport or UK driving licence through the government's official online system. It sounds simple, but plenty of people run into hiccups - documents not matching records, facial recognition failing, or the process timing out midway.
- Use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) This is where a service like Director Verifications comes in. As directors and PSCs increasingly turn to professional support to avoid errors and delays, using an ACSP means someone experienced handles the entire process for you - checking your documents, confirming your details match Companies House records, and submitting everything correctly the first time.
Once verification is complete, you'll receive a unique Companies House personal code. This code is tied to you personally, not to any single company, so if you're a director or PSC across multiple businesses, you only need to verify once.
Why Go Through a Professional Service Instead of DIY?
Honestly, most people could technically do this themselves. But here's where things get messy in practice:
- Overseas directors and PSCs often struggle with UK-based document checks, SMS verification codes, or passport recognition issues.
- Multiple businesses mean multiple confirmation statements, each with its own deadline - easy to lose track of.
- Errors on the PSC register (wrong dates, outdated ownership details) can complicate verification and delay filings.
- Peace of mind matters. A missed deadline isn't just an inconvenience; it's a potential fine and a public compliance flag.
Director Verifications exist to take that weight off your shoulders. We check your records for accuracy, guide you through document requirements, and confirm everything with Companies House on your behalf - so you're not left second-guessing whether you did it right.
Who Needs to Verify?
Short answer: pretty much every director and PSC in the UK, whether you're based locally or overseas. It doesn't matter if you've run your company for twenty years or just registered it last month - if your name is on the register, verification applies to you.
New directors and PSCs appointed after 18 November 2025 must verify before their appointment is officially registered. Existing directors and PSCs have a transition window tied to their company's confirmation statement date, but that deadline can arrive sooner than you'd expect.
Getting Started
The smartest move is not to wait until your deadline is looming. Verification queues get busier as more people rush to comply, and the last thing you want is to be caught in a bottleneck close to your cutoff date. At Director Verifications, we make the process simple: send us your details, we handle the checks, and you get your Companies House personal code without the back-and-forth.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happens if I don't complete PSC verification in time?
You could be committing an offence under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, which may lead to a financial penalty. Companies House may also place a note against your name on the public register, which isn't great for your business credibility. - Do I need to verify separately for each company I'm a PSC of?
No. Your personal code is linked to you as an individual, not to a specific company. However, you still need to submit that code separately for each role and each company where you're listed as a PSC or director. - How long does PSC verification take?
If your documents and details match Companies House records exactly, it can take as little as 10 minutes online. Using a service like Director Verifications can speed things up further by catching mismatches before they cause delays. - Can someone verify my identity on my own behalf?
Yes. A third party, including an authorised agent like Director Verifications, can submit your personal code and verification statement for you, which is especially useful if you're based overseas or simply want the process handled professionally. - Is PSC verification a one-time process?
Generally, yes. Once you're verified, you shouldn't need to verify again unless Companies House specifically requests it. That said, you'll still need to provide your personal code for every role and company you hold going forward.
