One government check can stop you becoming a director of the company you have just bought. Companies House identity verification now covers 78% of director appointments, according to figures Companies House published on 29 October.
The figures show 6.59 million director appointments verified at 30 September 2026. At the end of June the share was 55%.
01Where Companies House identity verification stands
Identity verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025. Companies House says that date marked the start of a 12-month transition.
For people with significant control, 66% of appointments were verified at 30 September. Across all appointment types, the figure was 73%.
Existing directors give their personal code with their company's next confirmation statement. So some directors will not have needed to verify yet.
02Why it matters if you are buying a company
If you buy the shares of a company, you usually become one of its directors. A new director has to give their Companies House personal code as part of the appointment filing. Without a verified identity, you cannot be appointed as a new director.
The same applies if you set up a new company to buy through. Each director's personal code is needed to register it.
So verify early, well before completion is booked. It is one less thing to hold up the deal.
Our guide on how long it takes to buy a business sets out each stage, from agreed terms to completion. If you are planning a purchase, an acquisition finance broker can help you line up the funding while the legal work runs.
