The UK has changed how it checks who runs its companies. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, every company director and every person with significant control (PSC) must verify their identity with Companies House. It doesn't matter whether you live in London, Lagos or Lahore: if you're a director or PSC of a UK company, this applies to you. This guide explains who must verify, the deadlines, the documents you need, the two ways to do it, and how to stay on the right side of the rules if you live outside the UK.
What is Companies House identity verification?
For most of its history, Companies House accepted whatever names and details were filed without checking them. That made it easy to set up companies in false or stolen names. Identity verification closes that gap. Each person who runs or controls a company proves who they are once, using a recognised method, and receives a unique personal code. That code is then linked to every company role they hold.
Verification doesn't put any new personal information on the public register. Your date of birth stays partially hidden as it is today, and your home address remains private if you use a service address. What changes is that Companies House now knows the person behind the name is real.
Who has to verify?
| Role | Must verify? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Company director (any UK limited company) | Yes | Including non-UK resident directors |
| Person with significant control (PSC) | Yes | Anyone owning or controlling more than 25%, or with significant influence |
| LLP member | Yes | Same rules as directors |
| Anyone filing documents for a company | Yes | Unless they file through an authorised agent |
| Company secretary | Only if they file | No separate requirement just for holding the role |
| Shareholder with 25% or less and no control | No | Unless they are also a director or PSC |
If one person is director of five companies, they verify once. The same personal code is used for every company. Read the official GOV.UK identity verification guidance for the full rules.
Key deadlines
- New directors: from 18 November 2025, a new director must verify before they can be appointed. Companies House won't accept the appointment without a valid personal code.
- Existing directors: existing directors have a 12-month transition period and are expected to confirm their verification when the company files its next confirmation statement.
- New PSCs: must provide their verification details within 14 days of becoming a PSC.
- Existing PSCs: must verify within the transition window, generally linked to the company's confirmation statement date or their date of birth, depending on whether they are also a director.
Because dates depend on each company's filing cycle, the safest approach is simple: verify now, before your next confirmation statement is due. Our portal shows your exact Companies House deadlines if we manage your confirmation statement.
The two ways to verify
1. Directly with GOV.UK One Login
You can verify yourself online using GOV.UK One Login. You create an account, scan your photo ID with the GOV.UK ID Check app, take a selfie or short video, and answer some questions. It works well if you have a UK passport, a UK photo driving licence or a biometric residence permit, and a recent smartphone.
Many non-UK residents find this route harder. The app may not accept some foreign documents, and the knowledge-based questions often rely on UK credit history, which international founders don't have. If the online check fails, you can try again, but you can't skip the step.
2. Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
An ACSP is a firm registered with Companies House and supervised for anti-money laundering. It can verify your identity on your behalf using its own checks and then tell Companies House you're verified. Formation agents, accountants and company secretarial firms can become ACSPs.
This is usually the easiest route for overseas directors. The ACSP checks your passport, a proof of home address and a likeness check, then submits the verification. You receive your personal code the same way.
| GOV.UK One Login | Through an ACSP | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Service fee (ours is £30) |
| Best for | UK residents with UK documents | Non-UK residents and busy directors |
| Accepted ID | Mostly UK documents and some foreign passports | Passport or national ID from most countries |
| Help if something fails | Self-service | A person guides you |
| Speed | Minutes if it works | Usually within 1–2 business days |
Documents you need
- Photo ID: a valid passport is best. A photo driving licence, national identity card or residence permit may also be accepted.
- Proof of home address: a bank or credit card statement or utility bill from the last three months, a council tax bill, or a tenancy or mortgage agreement. It must show your full name and current home address. Mobile phone bills usually aren't accepted.
- Your personal details: full legal name exactly as on your ID, any previous names, date of birth, nationality and current home address.
- Company details: the company name and Companies House number for each role you hold.
Make sure the name on your ID and on your proof of address match exactly. Small differences, such as a missing middle name, are the most common reason checks are delayed.
Step by step: verifying with us
- Submit our short form on the Director and PSC ID verification page: your legal name, date of birth, nationality, home address and the company you're linked to.
- Pay the £30 fee using the secure link we email you.
- Upload your documents through a secure link: passport scan with all four corners visible, proof of address, and a quick selfie or liveness check.
- We complete the check and submit your verification to Companies House.
- You receive your personal code. Keep it safe; you'll use it for every UK company role.
- We link the code to your company and confirm it on your next confirmation statement.
Your personal code
When verification succeeds you get a personal code made of letters and numbers. Treat it like an important reference number, not a password: it isn't secret, but you'll need it whenever you're appointed to a new company or confirm your verification on a filing. If you lose it, you can find it again in your Companies House account or ask the ACSP who verified you.
What happens if you don't verify?
- Criminal offence: acting as a director without being verified, or failing to provide verification details as a PSC, can be an offence for the individual and the company, with fines.
- Blocked filings: Companies House may refuse filings that rely on an unverified person, such as appointing a new director or filing a confirmation statement.
- Register notes: the public register can show that someone hasn't verified. Banks and payment platforms check the register, and an unverified director can trigger account reviews.
- Knock-on risk: missed filings can lead to penalties and eventually strike-off. If that happens, see our guide on restoring a dissolved company.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the confirmation statement is due. If verification fails at the last minute, the filing deadline still applies.
- Name mismatches between passport, proof of address and the Companies House record. Update the record first if your name has changed.
- Blurred or cropped scans. All four corners of the passport photo page must be visible.
- Using an old address on your proof of address. It must be your current home address.
- Verifying twice. One personal code covers all your companies; you don't verify per company.
- Forgetting PSCs. A shareholder with more than 25% must verify even if they aren't a director.
Special situations
You live outside the UK
You can still verify. If the online app doesn't accept your passport, use an ACSP. Your home address abroad is fine as long as your proof of address shows it.
Your company has a corporate director or corporate PSC
Corporate officers are handled through a different process: the relevant individuals behind the corporate entity provide verification details. Get advice if your structure includes companies as officers.
You're about to change directors
The incoming director must be verified before the appointment is filed. Plan ahead if you're using our director change service.
Your company is on the default address
Fix that first. A company moved to the Companies House default address can be struck off, which makes every other filing harder.
Why verify with Biz E-Formations?
- Built for international founders: passports and addresses from most countries accepted.
- A real person reviews your documents before submission, so checks don't fail on small errors.
- Flat £30 fee, with your personal code and filing status kept in your client portal.
- We can also handle the confirmation statement that confirms your verification.
Conclusion
Identity verification is now a permanent part of running a UK company. It takes a few minutes of preparation: a clear passport scan, a recent proof of address and your exact legal details. Do it once, keep your personal code safe, and you're covered for every UK role you hold. If you'd rather not deal with apps and failed checks, verify through us for £30 and we'll handle the rest.
Get in touch
Questions about your deadline or your documents? Contact our team, chat with Biz AI on this page, or book a free 30-minute consultation.
