The Insolvency Service has secured its first convictions for failing to meet Companies House identity verification requirements. Three directors from two companies were fined at City of London Magistrates’ Court on 16 September 2026. Two had continued to act as directors, including signing company accounts, without verifying their identity. The third had verified his own identity, but was convicted for failing to take reasonable steps to stop an unverified fellow director from continuing to act. All three were also convicted over late confirmation statements.
The fines were modest, ranging from £80 to £307 plus costs, but the cases establish an important principle. Every director on a board carries a duty to make sure that no unverified person continues to act for the company, so completing your own verification does not, on its own, discharge your responsibility. The Insolvency Service also noted that the directors had been given several opportunities to comply before enforcement action was taken.
The transition period runs until 18 November 2026, but each existing director must verify by their company’s next confirmation statement date, so many deadlines have already passed.
Both the Federation of Small Businesses and the British Chambers of Commerce have supported identity verification as a protection against fraud and misuse of the register, as covered in our earlier update.
If you share a board with other directors, check that every one of them has verified and that their personal codes are ready for the next confirmation statement. Verification is free through GOV.UK One Login.