Companies House identity verification is a mandatory identity check under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). It requires every UK company director, Person with Significant Control (PSC), and corporate filing agent to verify their identity using official photo ID through GOV.UK One Login or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

Key Takeaways

• Mandatory identity verification under ECCTA 2023 came into force on 18 November 2025 with a final transition window closing on 18 November 2026.
• Existing company directors must verify their identity before or at the time of filing their company’s next annual confirmation statement.
• Verification generates an 11-character personal code that links an individual across all current and future UK company appointments.
• Failure to complete identity verification blocks mandatory corporate filings, triggering civil penalties, director disqualifications, or company strike-offs.

What is Companies House Identity Verification?

Companies House identity verification is an identity assurance framework enacted under Section 1110A of the Companies Act 2006.

It mandates that company officers verify their identity against official government databases, issuing a single persistent 11-character personal code to eliminate corporate fraud and dummy directorships across the UK registrar.

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), Companies House identity verification became mandatory on 18 November 2025 to prevent corporate fraud and clean up the UK company register.

The primary goal of this framework is to prevent money laundering, fraudulent incorporations, and the misuse of dummy directorships across UK registers.

Historically, the UK registrar permitted company filings without requiring direct verification of the individuals behind those legal entities.

The current verification process verifies each individual’s identity once, issuing a persistent 11-character Companies House personal code (formatted as ABCD-1234-EFGH) that follows the person across all past, present, and future UK directorships or PSC roles.

What is the Companies House Identity Verification Rollout, Timeline, and Launch Date?

The Companies House identity verification rollout spans four statutory phases: a voluntary testing phase starting 8 April 2025, mandatory enforcement for new appointments on 18 November 2025, a 12-month transition period for existing officers, and a final hard deadline on 18 November 2026.

Rollout Phase	Key Implementation Date	Legal Requirement & Applicability
Voluntary Testing Phase	8 April 2025	Optional testing opened via GOV.UK One Login and registered ACSPs.
Mandatory Launch Date	18 November 2025	Verification enforced for all new incorporations and officer appointments.
12-Month Transition Period	18 Nov 2025 – 18 Nov 2026	Existing directors and PSCs complete verification alongside annual filings.
Hard Final Deadline	18 November 2026	Legal deadline by which all registered UK directors and PSCs must be verified.

Who Needs to Complete UK Companies House Identity Verification?

UK Companies House identity verification is required for all active company directors, Persons with Significant Control (PSCs), Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) members, general partners, and registered filing agents (ACSPs) operating within England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Directors and Corporate Officers

Every director of a UK company, including active directors, shadow directors, alternate directors, and overseas directors residing outside the United Kingdom, must complete Companies House identity verification.

The requirement applies regardless of whether the company is commercial, non-profit, dormant, or a property management firm.

Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)

Individuals who hold more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercise significant influence over a UK entity, must verify their identity independently.

LLP Members and General Partners

Individual members of Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) and general partners of Limited Partnerships (LPs) are subject to the same identity verification standard as corporate directors.

Filing Agents and Corporate Service Providers

Any individual who files documents on behalf of a company (such as accountants, company formation agents, or legal advisors) must complete verification and become registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

What is the Companies House Identity Verification Deadline?

The Companies House identity verification deadline is immediate for new directors appointed after 18 November 2025. For existing directors, the practical deadline is tied to the company’s next annual Confirmation Statement (Form CS01) filing date during the 12-month transition window.

Officer Category	Appointment Period	Statutory Verification Deadline
New Company Directors	Appointed on or after 18 Nov 2025	Immediate: Must verify before appointment or incorporation filing.
Existing Directors	Registered before 18 Nov 2025	Next CS01: Due on or before the company’s next annual Confirmation Statement.
New PSCs	Registered on or after 18 Nov 2025	14 Days: Must verify within 14 days of registration on the public ledger.
Existing PSCs (Non-Directors)	Registered before 18 Nov 2025	14-day window opening on the 1st day of their birth month during transition.

New Directors Appointed After November 2025

For any director appointed on or after 18 November 2025, identity verification must be completed before the appointment takes effect or before the company incorporation form is submitted.

Existing Directors Registered Before November 2025

For existing company directors, the practical Companies House identity verification deadline is tied directly to the company’s next annual Confirmation Statement (Form CS01).

Under Section 853A of the Companies Act 2006, a company cannot file its annual confirmation statement if any director remains unverified.

Therefore, if your confirmation statement is due in May 2026, your personal verification deadline is May 2026, not November 2026.

Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)

For existing PSCs who are also company directors, the deadline aligns with the company’s confirmation statement.

For existing PSCs who are not company directors, the 14-day statutory verification window opens on the first day of their month of birth as recorded on the register during the 12-month transition year.

How Much Does Companies House Verification Cost?

Companies House identity verification is completely free of charge when completed online via GOV.UK One Login or in-person at a participating UK Post Office.

Third-party Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs), such as accountants or solicitors, may charge an administrative fee for handling manual verification.

• GOV.UK One Login (Online/App): Free
• UK Post Office Verification (In-Person): Free
• Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP): Provider-defined fee (typically £20–£100)

What Documents Are Accepted for Verification?

Accepted documents for Companies House identity verification include biometric passports, UK photocard driving licences (full or provisional), UK Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs), and national photo ID cards containing readable biometric chips.

• Biometric Passport (UK or International with standard chip symbol)
• UK Driving Licence (Full or Provisional photocard)
• UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Biometric Residence Card (BRC)
• Frontier Worker Permit (FWP)

How to Do Companies House Identity Verification Online?

To complete Companies House identity verification online for free, sign in to GOV.UK One Login, download the GOV.UK ID Check app on an NFC smartphone, scan your photo ID chip, complete a face match video check, and receive your 11-character personal code instantly.

1. Access the Official Portal: Navigate to the official GOV.UK guidance page titled Verify your identity for Companies House and select the online service.
2. Sign in to GOV.UK One Login: Log in using your registered email address or create a new GOV.UK One Login account.
3. Select Your Identity Document: Choose from a biometric passport, a UK photo driving licence (full or provisional), a UK biometric residence permit (BRP), or a national identity card.
4. Use the Mobile App for Biometric Scanning: Download the GOV.UK ID Check app on an NFC-enabled smartphone (iPhone or Android). Scan the photo page of your document and hold your phone against the physical chip inside your passport to read the embedded biometric data.
5. Complete the Face Match Check: Use your smartphone camera to take a short video scan of your face. The automated system matches your live facial scan against the chip data stored in your official document.
6. Receive Confirmation and Code: Once matched, the portal generates an automated confirmation screen, sends a follow-up confirmation email, and issues your unique personal code.

For individuals without a smartphone or biometric document, alternative online options allow identity verification through security questions matching UK credit reference data, active UK bank accounts, and National Insurance records.

What are the Latest Identity Verification Methods?

There are three statutory identity verification routes available to UK directors and business owners.

Verification Method	Primary Requirements	Processing Time	Cost	Best Suited For
GOV.UK One Login (App/Online)	Smartphone with NFC, Biometric Passport or UK Driving Licence	Instant to 15 minutes	Free	UK residents with standard UK photo identification.
Post Office In-Person Verification	GOV.UK QR Code, Non-biometric Photo ID, Proof of Address	Same-day walk-in	Free	Individuals without an NFC smartphone or valid biometric chip document.
Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)	Verified ID documents submitted via Solicitor/Accountant	1–3 business days	Fee set by provider	Overseas directors, complex international structures, and manual edge cases.

Route 1: GOV.UK One Login (Online & App)

The primary free route for UK residents using the GOV.UK ID Check mobile application or web portal.

Route 2: Participating UK Post Office (In-Person)

If you cannot complete verification using a smartphone or online security questions, GOV.UK One Login allows you to enter your document details online and select the Post Office option.

The system generates a barcode that you take to a participating UK Post Office branch alongside your physical identity documents. A Post Office clerk scans your barcode and verifies your physical documents in person.

Route 3: Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

An ACSP identity verification route is conducted through an accredited third-party agent, such as a regulated accountant, solicitor, or company formation agent registered under Section 1098A of the Companies Act 2006.

The ACSP performs independent Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks, verifies your identity documents, and files an official verification statement directly with Companies House on your behalf.

How Do You Provide Identity Verification Details for a Person with Significant Control (PSC)?

To provide PSC identity verification details, a company must submit an official identity verification statement via WebFiling or corporate secretarial software, linking the PSC’s 11-character personal code directly to their record on the public Companies House register within 14 days.

• The individual has successfully completed identity verification through GOV.UK One Login or an ACSP.
• The 11-character Companies House personal code provided belongs directly to the named PSC.
• The information provided matches the details recorded on the central register.

If you need to provide identity verification details for a PSC after registration, log into the WebFiling platform or your company secretarial software, select the specific PSC record, enter their verified personal code, and submit the statutory verification statement within the required 14-day window.

What is a Companies House Identity Verification Code?

A Companies House personal code is a unique 11-character alphanumeric identifier (formatted as ABCD-1234-EFGH) issued to verified individuals.

You can find your personal code in your GOV.UK confirmation email, your GOV.UK One Login account, or your Companies House profile.

• Block 1: 4 Letters (e.g., ABCD)
• Block 2: 4 Numbers (e.g., 1234)
• Block 3: 3 Letters (e.g., EFGH)

How to Find Your Personal Code?

If you are wondering how to find my companies house identity verification code, you can locate it through three primary methods:

• Confirmation Email: Check the automated email sent from Companies House immediately after completing the GOV.UK One Login process.
• GOV.UK One Login Account: Log back into your GOV.UK One Login portal and view your saved identity verification details.
• Companies House Personal Profile: Access your personal user profile on the Companies House online filing service where your linked personal code is displayed.

You must keep this code secure. You will need to provide it to your corporate agent or enter it into WebFiling every time you are appointed to a new board, update a PSC record, or file an annual confirmation statement.

Why Can’t I Verify My Identity for Companies House?

Common reasons for Companies House verification failure include name mismatches between ID documents and the public register, smartphone NFC chip read errors, improper lighting during facial video scans, and expired identification documents.

Verification Issue	Primary Cause	Recommended Solution
Name Mismatch Error	Missing middle names on Companies House register.	Align Companies House filing details with passport name before verifying.
NFC Scan Error	Phone case interference or improper phone placement.	Remove phone case; rest smartphone directly over document biometric chip.
Facial Match Failure	Glare, poor ambient lighting, or shadows on camera.	Face natural daylight against a neutral, plain background.
Expired ID Document	GOV.UK One Login rejects expired passports/licences.	Renew document or verify using certified secondary ID via an ACSP.

When reviewing decisions on failed attempts, the following common issues and practical solutions frequently arise:

• Name Mismatches Across Registers: If your middle name appears on your passport but was omitted from the Companies House register during company formation, the automated system may flag a mismatch. Ensure your recorded name on the register matches your official government photo ID before starting the process.
• Smartphone NFC Chip Reading Failures: If the GOV.UK ID Check app fails to scan your passport chip, remove your phone cover, place the passport flat on a hard surface, and rest the top half of your smartphone directly on the middle of the front or back cover where the biometric chip is located.
• Poor Lighting during Facial Match Verification: Glare or low lighting can cause the live selfie verification to fail. Position yourself facing natural daylight against a plain, neutral background, avoiding direct overhead lighting or heavy shadows.
• Expired Identity Documents: The GOV.UK One Login service rejects expired photo identification. If your UK photo driving licence or passport has expired, you must either renew your document before verifying online or utilize an ACSP agent who can verify your identity using secondary certified documentation.

What Happens If a Director Does Not Verify Their ID?

Failing to complete Companies House identity verification blocks the filing of annual Confirmation Statements (Form CS01), triggering financial penalties, criminal prosecution under ECCTA 2023, director disqualification, and compulsory company strike-off resulting in asset forfeiture to the Crown.

Rejection of Annual Confirmation Statements

Under Section 853A of the Companies Act 2006, the Registrar of Companies will automatically reject any annual Confirmation Statement (Form CS01) submitted without valid verified personal codes for all active directors and PSCs.

Risk of Compulsory Company Strike-Off

If a company cannot file its Confirmation Statement due to an unverified director, the company falls into default.

Persistent failure to file mandatory annual returns triggers statutory notices from the Registrar, leading ultimately to compulsory strike-off and dissolution of the company. Upon dissolution, all corporate assets revert to the Crown as bona vacantia.

Financial Penalties and Criminal Offences

Failing to comply with identity verification obligations constitutes a criminal offence under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

Directors and PSCs who act while unverified face civil fines, statutory financial penalties, and potential prosecution resulting in director disqualification under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The introduction of mandatory Companies House identity verification represents a major structural change in UK corporate governance alongside upcoming Companies House accounts reforms.

While existing directors and PSCs have until 18 November 2026 to complete the process, your actual operational deadline is your company’s next annual Confirmation Statement filing date.

To ensure your business stays compliant and avoids statutory filing rejections:

• Log into the Companies House service and check the upcoming Confirmation Statement due dates for all your active companies.
• Ensure full consistency between the official names listed on your government photo ID and the details recorded on the Companies House register.
• Gather your biometric passport or UK photo driving licence and complete your verification early using the free GOV.UK One Login app.
• Securely store your 11-character Companies House personal code and share it with your accountant or company secretary ahead of your next annual return.

In short, Companies House identity verification means mandatory identity validation for all UK company directors and PSCs in 2026.

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal or professional corporate compliance advice.

FAQ

How long does Companies House identity verification take?

Verification via the GOV.UK One Login smartphone app takes approximately 5 to 15 minutes. Once submitted, identity confirmation and issuance of your 11-character personal code occurs almost instantly in automated cases.

How many times does a director need to verify their identity?

A director only needs to complete identity verification once. The unique personal code issued upon completion is permanently assigned to that individual and is re-used across all current and future UK director or PSC roles.

How often do you have to verify your identity on Companies House?

Identity verification is generally a one-off requirement. You do not need to re-verify annually unless your personal details change significantly, fraud is suspected, or Companies House requests an updated check under revised security standards.

Do overseas directors need to verify their identity with Companies House?

Yes. Overseas directors of UK companies must verify their identity. Non-UK directors can verify online using an international biometric passport via GOV.UK One Login or complete the process through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

What is the Companies House identity verification contact number or support service?

Companies House provides technical assistance through their central customer support helpdesk at 0303 1234 500. For specific GOV.UK One Login technical issues, support is available directly within the GOV.UK One Login portal.

Will I receive a Companies House identity verification email after completing the process?

Yes. Upon completing the process via GOV.UK One Login, you will receive an automated confirmation email containing your official 11-character Companies House personal code and details on how to link it to your company roles.

How do I verify my identity on the Companies House app?

Download the GOV.UK ID Check app on an NFC-enabled smartphone, scan your biometric passport or UK driving licence, complete the facial video scan, and sign into your GOV.UK One Login account to receive your personal code.