Companies House Identity Checks

What are the new changes and requirements?

To improve the accuracy and quality of the data held on their registers and to help deter those wishing to use companies for illegal purposes, Companies House has introduced a new identity verification process.

Anyone setting up, running, owning or controlling a company in the UK will need to verify their identity to prove they are who they claim to be.

By law, you will need to verify your identity to confirm you are who you claim to be.

This will:

• reduce the risk of fraud

• improve transparency, trust and accuracy of information on the Companies House register

  
  

You’ll need to verify your identity if you are:

• a director

• the equivalent of a director – this includes members, general partners and managing officers

• a person with significant control (PSC)

• an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) - also known as a Companies House authorised agent

• someone who files for a company - for example, a company secretary

  
  

In most cases, you’ll only need to verify your identity once. You must not verify again unless Companies House tell you to.

What happens when you verify?

When you have successfully verified, you’ll get a unique identifier known as a Companies House personal code. The code is personal to you, not your company or a company you work for.

From autumn 2025, you’ll need it for various reasons. For example:

• when you file your confirmation statement

• if you are appointed as a director

• if you become a person with significant control (PSC)

  
  

If you are currently a director or a PSC, you’ll need to use your Companies House personal code to connect your verified identity to our records. This is a legal requirement and will ensure that Companies House know the correct identity is linked to any roles you hold.

Only share the personal code with people you trust.

You may need to share this code with people you trust to file on your behalf, or for your company. Keep this information secure, as you would with other unique codes such as your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for HMRC.

How can I complete the verification?

Online

You can verify online if you have the identity documents or information required. This route uses GOV.UK One Login to verify your identity and is free of charge.

You’ll need one of the following types of photo ID:

• biometric passport from any country

• UK photo driving licence (full or provisional)

• UK biometric residence permit (BRP)

• UK biometric residence card (BRC)

• UK Frontier Worker permit (FWP)

  
  

GOV.UK One Login will ask you some simple questions to find the best way for you to verify your identity online. Depending on your answers, you’ll then be guided to verify using a GOV.UK mobile phone app or in your web browser.

If you do not have any of these types of ID but live in the UK, you may be able to verify with bank or building society details instead. You’ll need to use the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service to find out if you can verify this way.

In person at a Post Office

If you cannot verify online and you live in the UK, you may be able to verify your identity in person at a Post Office. You’ll need to use the ’Verify your identity for Companies House’ service first to find out if you can verify this way. This route uses GOV.UK One Login to verify your identity and is free of charge.

Using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

You can ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify your identity on your behalf. For example, an accountant or solicitor. This is also known as a Companies House authorised agent.

You can do this from any country, but your agent must register with Companies House to become authorised. They must be registered with a UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervisory body.

When an agent has agreed to verify your identity, you will need to provide documents from an approved list as evidence of your identity. They may charge a fee for their services.

What happens if you do not verify

You will not be able to:

• make any filings

• start a new company or entity

  
  

If you do not comply with identity verification requirements on time, you will be committing an offence and may have to pay a financial penalty or fine.

When do I need to verify my identity?

Directors and people with significant control (PSCs) will need to verify from 8 April 2025 and this will become a legal requirement from Autumn 2025.