One of the most-searched questions on our site over the last six months has been a deceptively simple one: "Do directors need to verify identity?" The answer in 2026 is unambiguously yes, but the rules around how you verify, what counts as acceptable proof, and by when, are still catching directors off guard. This is the practical walkthrough.
Who must verify
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act extends mandatory identity verification to:
- All new directors at the point of appointment.
- All existing directors during the transitional window.
- Every Person with Significant Control (PSC).
- Members of LLPs in equivalent positions.
- Anyone delivering documents to Companies House on behalf of a company (unless filing through an ACSP).
Practically, this means almost everyone who appears on a Companies House filing in a personal capacity must be verified once and only once across all their roles.
The two verification routes
There are two acceptable routes:
- Direct verification with Companies House using GOV.UK One Login. This is free, runs through the same identity flow as other government services, and is straightforward for UK residents with standard documents.
- Verification through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). The ACSP carries out the identity check, retains the evidence, and notifies Companies House that the individual is verified.
Both routes produce the same legal outcome. The choice usually comes down to convenience and complexity.
Acceptable documents
You generally need one photo ID and one proof of address. Acceptable photo ID includes:
- UK or EEA passport (in date)
- UK driving licence (photocard, full or provisional)
- National identity card from an EEA country
- Biometric residence permit
Acceptable proof of address, dated within the last three months, includes:
- Utility bill (gas, electric, water, landline — not mobile)
- Bank or building society statement
- Council tax bill (within the last 12 months)
- HMRC correspondence
- Tenancy agreement signed by both parties
Documents must be in the individual's own name and match the name supplied on the Companies House filing. Mid-name initials and minor variations cause the majority of failed verifications we see.
The biometric step
Whether direct or through an ACSP, verification now includes a biometric match — a live selfie or short video that is compared against the photograph on the ID. This is the same technology used in bank onboarding. Glasses, hats, poor lighting and old photos in faded passports are the four most common rejection reasons. Allow a few minutes in good light.
Deadlines and the transitional window
New directors must be verified before appointment. Existing directors must be verified during the transitional window, with completion dates tied to the company's confirmation statement filing date. Missing the window does not just trigger penalties — it can render filings invalid and, in extreme cases, lead to director disqualification.
Overseas directors
Overseas directors face the most friction. GOV.UK One Login does not always handle non-UK documents smoothly, and document translations may be required. This is where the ACSP route is materially easier: we can verify overseas individuals using internationally accepted documents and video processes, then file the verification on the UK record. Our director verification service handles overseas verifications routinely.
What happens if you fail to verify
The consequences are real:
- Filings rejected, with knock-on effects on confirmation statement compliance.
- Fixed and daily penalties under the ECCTA regime.
- Personal criminal liability in extreme or knowing cases of false declaration.
- Difficulty opening or maintaining bank accounts, since banks increasingly check verification status.
How PushDigits helps
We verify directors, PSCs and members as an ICAEW-supervised ACSP. The process takes around 15 minutes per person once documents are ready, with verification confirmed to Companies House the same day. Whether you are forming a new company through our UK formations service or bringing an existing directorship into compliance, book a verification slot and we will walk you through it.