Apex News · Regulation · 7 September 2026

Companies House identity verification: directors and PSCs face a November 2026 cut-off

The 12-month transition that began on 18 November 2025 ends on 18 November 2026. Existing directors must verify before their company’s next confirmation statement is due; failing to do so is an offence.

By Matthew Bartlett, Director, Apex Insurance Brokers · Published 7 September 2026 · Bristol · All news

Who has to do what, and by when

• New directors and PSCs — verify before appointment or registration. Mandatory since 18 November 2025.
• Existing directors — verify before the date the company’s next confirmation statement is due, within the transition that ends on 18 November 2026. The deadline is therefore the firm’s own confirmation-statement date, not a single national date.
• Existing PSCs who are also directors — supply the Companies House personal code within 14 days of the company’s confirmation statement.
• Existing PSCs who are not directors — verify within the first 14 days of their birth month.
• LLP members — in scope now. People who file on behalf of companies follow from no earlier than November 2027, with at least six months’ notice.

What happens if you miss it

Companies House says: “If you do not comply with identity verification requirements on time, you’ll be committing an offence,” and that an unverified person “will not be able to make any filings for your company or start a new company.” A note is displayed against the person’s name on the public register and financial penalties can follow. Practically, a firm whose director has not verified by the confirmation-statement date cannot file the statement, and it becomes an offence for that person to continue to act as a director.

Why an insurance broker is writing about it

Three reasons. First, the register annotation and the filing block are exactly the kind of fact an insurer asks about at renewal and that a firm forgets to mention; under the Insurance Act 2015 duty of fair presentation it should be disclosed. Second, directors’ and officers’ policies respond to regulatory investigations and defence costs in different ways, and fines are often uninsurable as a matter of law — a policy is not a substitute for verifying on time. Third, accountancy and law firms acting as authorised corporate service providers are taking on a new regulated task; check your professional indemnity wording covers it before you offer it.

What to do this month

• Look up your company’s next confirmation-statement date and diarise verification for every director and PSC at least a fortnight before it.
• Verify through GOV.UK One Login, or ask your accountant or solicitor whether they are an authorised corporate service provider and will do it.
• If you hold PSC interests in several companies, each has its own timetable.
• Tell your broker if a director has received a penalty or a register annotation.

Apex Insurance Brokers Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales, company number 07014570. This article is news and general information, not advice on your individual circumstances. Corrections: email info@apexinsurancebrokers.co.uk; corrections are noted and dated on the article.