Know what each role must do
Identity verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025. Directors and people with significant control (PSCs) need to verify their identity and receive a Companies House personal code.
The code links a verified identity to a role. You must provide it separately for each role you hold.
- Director: provide your personal code as part of the company’s next confirmation statement. Companies House says it will not accept the statement until all directors have verified their identities.
- PSC who is not a director of the same company: provide your code within the first 14 days of your birth month.
- PSC who is also a director: provide your code again for your PSC role, using the separate PSC service. Your 14-day window starts the day after the company’s confirmation statement date.
Check the Companies House identity verification guidance and the company’s Companies House register record for your specific role and dates.
Check October and November deadlines now
There is no single confirmation statement deadline for all UK companies. Each company has its own review period and filing deadline, which you can see on its Companies House register record.
A company must file at least one confirmation statement every 12 months, even if nothing has changed. The review period normally ends 12 months after incorporation or the confirmation date on the previous statement. You can file up to 14 days after the review period ends. Missing the deadline can lead to a fine of up to £5,000, and the company may be struck off.
For PSCs who are not directors of the same company, the 14-day window is tied to their birth month. For example, a November-born PSC’s window is normally 1–14 November. If an October-born PSC has not yet completed the required step, the usual 1–14 October window has passed as of 20 October. Check the Companies House record promptly and follow the official guidance. An extension may be available for a PSC, but you must request it before the deadline passes.
If you are both a director and PSC, do not assume that submitting your code with the confirmation statement completes both steps. Submit it for the PSC role separately in the relevant 14-day window. The PSC verification guidance explains the process and how to check your dates.
Use this checklist before you file
A simple review now can prevent a last-minute scramble:
- Check your company’s confirmation date and filing deadline on the Companies House register.
- Ask every director to verify their identity and securely share their personal code with the person preparing the confirmation statement.
- Check each PSC record and verification due date. Do not rely on someone’s director submission to complete their PSC requirement.
- Review company details before filing. Confirm that directors, PSC information, registered office, registered email address and other required details are correct.
- Set reminders for the filing date and PSC windows. Add more than one reminder so travel, busy trading periods or missing information do not catch you out.
- Keep a record of completion. Store filing confirmations and internal reminders with your company compliance records.
The official confirmation statement guidance explains what to review, when to file and what information must be updated.
Worked example: a small ecommerce Ltd company
Imagine a small online retailer with a confirmation statement date of 31 October 2026. Its founder is the only director and owns all the shares, so they are also the company’s PSC.
The founder should:
- Complete identity verification and obtain a Companies House personal code.
- Include the code and director verification confirmation when filing the company’s next confirmation statement.
- Check the company’s register for its filing deadline. If the review period ends on 31 October, the usual 14-day filing window runs to 14 November.
- Submit the same personal code separately for the PSC role. With a confirmation statement date of 31 October, the PSC window is normally 1–14 November.
- Keep evidence of both submissions.
Filing the confirmation statement early does not move the PSC window. The founder should check the specific dates shown by Companies House rather than assuming the two processes happen together.
Keep your accounting records ready for compliance
Identity verification is a Companies House requirement, not an accounting calculation. But reliable records and a clear compliance calendar make it easier to manage company filings alongside your bookkeeping, VAT and year-end accounts.
For practical uk limited company accounting, keep your financial records and statutory company details organised in one secure workflow. Make sure changes to directors or PSCs are communicated promptly to the person handling your filings. This reduces the chance of submitting a confirmation statement with outdated information.
If you use accounting services for small business uk, check how compliance deadlines are tracked and what information your provider needs from you. We work with clients who provide their business data while we manage bookkeeping and agreed compliance tasks on an ongoing basis. Our UK accounting services cover structured accounting support, while our ecommerce accounting services support businesses managing marketplace sales, VAT and company filings.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to file a confirmation statement if nothing has changed?
Yes. Every company must file at least once every 12 months, including dormant and non-trading companies. The statement confirms the information on the register is up to date.
If I am both director and PSC, do I need two personal codes?
No. You generally verify your identity once and receive one personal code. However, you must provide that code separately for each role, following the relevant submission process and deadline.
Can I check whether Companies House has recorded my verification?
Yes. Check your company’s record and the relevant director or PSC information on the Companies House register. Follow the official guidance if the status or due date is unclear.
What should I do if a PSC deadline has passed?
Check the company record and PSC verification guidance immediately.