Director Verification Deadline November 2026 - Companies House Guide
The Companies House director verification deadline in November 2026 is part of the UK’s new identity verification requirements under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. However, 18 November 2026 is not a single deadline that applies to every existing director.
Instead, Companies House is using a 12-month transition period that began on 18 November 2025. Existing directors have individual due dates linked to their company’s confirmation statement filing.
Is 18 November 2026 the Director Verification Deadline?
Not exactly.
18 November 2026 marks the end of the initial 12-month transition period. Companies House expects the identity verification rollout for existing directors and PSCs to be substantially completed by around this point.
However, an individual director's actual deadline depends on their company and the relevant Companies House filing requirements.
Existing directors generally need to verify their identity before the company's next confirmation statement is filed and provide their personal code as part of that filing.
When Must an Existing Director Verify?
If you are already a company director, you should complete identity verification before your company's next confirmation statement.
For example, if your company's confirmation statement is due in October 2026, you should complete verification before that filing rather than waiting until November.
If your confirmation statement is due later, Companies House may give you a later verification date.
Directors can check the Companies House register and communications from Companies House to identify the relevant due date for their role.
What About New Directors?
The rules are different for people becoming directors after mandatory verification began.
New directors must complete the required identity verification when they are appointed to an existing company or when they incorporate a new company.
They then receive a personal code which is used to connect their verified identity with their Companies House record.
What Does a Director Need to Do?
A director should:
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Complete Companies House identity verification.
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Receive their personal code.
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Keep the personal code secure.
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Provide the code when required for their company role.
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Make sure their personal information held by Companies House is accurate.
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Complete the verification process before the relevant filing deadline.
Identity verification can be completed directly through Companies House or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
Failing to comply with the identity verification requirements can have legal and financial consequences.
Depending on the circumstances, non-compliance can result in an offence, financial penalties or other enforcement action. Companies House may also introduce restrictions and register annotations for people who fail to meet the requirements.
Directors should therefore avoid treating November 2026 as a date to wait for. Completing verification early can reduce the risk of problems with an upcoming confirmation statement.
Companies House Personal Code
After successful verification, a director receives an 11-character Companies House personal code.
The code belongs to the individual rather than the company. A director who holds positions in several companies normally uses the same personal code to confirm their verified identity for each relevant directorship.
The code should be kept secure but can be provided to an accountant, company secretary or other authorised person who files on the director's behalf.
Fraser Bond Director Verification Support
Fraser Bond provides practical UK company administration and corporate compliance support for directors, property companies, overseas investors and international businesses.
Support can include Companies House identity verification administration, personal code assistance, confirmation statement support, director compliance, PSC requirements and wider corporate administration.
If your company has a confirmation statement approaching during 2026, completing director verification early can help prevent last-minute compliance problems.
Prepare Before November 2026
The key point is simple: 18 November 2026 should not be treated as the individual deadline for every UK company director.
Existing directors should check their specific Companies House requirements and complete identity verification before the relevant confirmation statement or other applicable filing. New directors must meet the verification requirement when they take up their role.
