As with directors, People with Significant Control (PSCs) are required to verify their identity. However, there are some key differences in relation to the verification process of PSCs as opposed to directors.

New PSCs

From 18th November 2025, identity verification for new PSCs who are individuals is mandatory.

Individual PSCs will have a 14-day period after registering in which to verify their identity. This means submitting their identity verification confirmation and personal code (that is issued once successfully verified) to Companies House within 14 days from the date that they are registered as a PSC.

Since only a natural person's identity can be verified, where a Relevant Legal Entity (RLE) qualifies as a PSC of a company, the identity of the relevant officer of the RLE will also need to be verified. To date, no timetable has been set for this. However, it is expected they will have a 28-day period in which to verify. 

Advance verification/Already verified

PSCs may have chosen to verify in advance of registration, in the same way as directors. In addition, some PSCs will already have a verified account with CH (for example if they are a director of the company in question or another company), if this is the case, they will not need to reverify. However, each individual PSC will need to provide CH with their unique identifier code (issued to the individual once successfully verified), for each separate company and each separate role for which the individual needs to identity verify. Whilst individuals only need to be verified once, an individual may have multiple applicable notification deadlines for different roles for different companies. Individuals will need to identify their earliest deadline and ensure that they have been verified by that date. They will then potentially have to notify CH of their verification multiple times in respect of each different role or appointment.

Not already verified

If the PSC doesn’t have a verified CH account, CH will notify the PSC and the company of the requirement that the PSCs must verify their identity. Provided the PSC provides all relevant information within the set period, the PSC will be flagged as “verified” on the companies register. However, if the PSC within the set period after registration does not verify their identity, CH will annotate the register to show that the PSC is “not verified”. The PSC will have committed a criminal offence and may be liable to a civil penalty. It is also expected that if PSCs are not verified within a short time after the incorporation of a company, they will commit a criminal offence.

Existing PSCs

Since 8th April 2025, Companies House has allowed existing PSCs who are individuals to voluntarily verify their identity. From 18th November 2025, this becomes mandatory during a 12-month transition period. This is largely tied to the date of a company's confirmation statement. Any existing PSC who is not also a director of the company must have their identity verified within 14 days of the first date of their birth month (e.g. if the person's birthday is 15 January, the 14 day period will begin on 1 January 2026). If the PSC is also a director of the company, then the deadline for verifying their identity in their capacity as a PSC will be 14 days from the company's confirmation statement date.

Non-Compliance

The consequences of non-compliance with the ID verification requirements will depend on the circumstances. However, failure to verify identity could result in criminal proceedings, civil penalties, the incorporation or registration of a new company being rejected, the company being unable to file statutory filings and the public register being annotated to show the PSC’s status as “unverified”.