GOV.UK One Login explained for company directors

GOV.UK One Login is gradually replacing the many separate usernames and passwords people used for government services. For company directors it matters for two reasons: signing in to Companies House services, and verifying your identity under the new company law rules.

What is GOV.UK One Login?

GOV.UK One Login is a free government account. It lets you:

• sign in to a growing number of government services with one email address and password
• prove your identity once, then reuse that check where services allow it

It is run by the government, not by Companies House, so you may already have one if you have used other services.

Signing in to Companies House

Companies House WebFiling moved to GOV.UK One Login on 13 October 2025. You can no longer use WebFiling without connecting it to a One Login. Practical points:

• Use an email address you can always access.
• If you also have a "Find and update company information" account, use the same email for both.
• Only one person can connect a WebFiling account to their One Login. Anyone else who used a shared account needs their own One Login with a different email address.
• You may need each company's authentication code to confirm you can file for it.

Connecting your account does not by itself verify your identity.

Identity verification for directors and PSCs

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, Companies House started identity verification on 18 November 2025:

• New directors and PSCs must verify their identity.
• Existing directors and PSCs verify when the company files its next confirmation statement during a 12-month transition period, which ends around 18 November 2026.

Companies House says it will contact directors and PSCs about their deadlines.

How to verify with One Login

GOV.UK One Login is free. Depending on your phone and the photo ID you have, you can verify:

• with the GOV.UK One Login app, scanning your photo ID and taking a selfie
• online by answering security questions
• at a participating Post Office, using a letter with a QR code that you receive after entering your photo ID details

Have your photo ID ready before you start. Live support is available from the One Login contact centre on weekdays, 9am to 5pm.

Your personal code

Once verified, you get a personal code from Companies House. It links your verified identity to your roles in companies. You will need it for tasks such as:

• being appointed as a director
• confirming you are verified when the company files its confirmation statement
• registering as a PSC

Keep your code safe. You can usually find it by signing in to Companies House and going to "Manage account", using the email address you verified with.

The alternative: an Authorised Corporate Service Provider

If you cannot or do not want to use One Login, you can verify through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). This is a business – such as an accountant, solicitor or company formation agent – registered with Companies House to carry out identity checks and submit the verification for you. ACSPs usually charge a fee. Form My Company is a Companies House ACSP: we can complete the identity check for you, remotely, as part of your order, and give you your personal code.

This route can help if you live abroad, do not have a suitable smartphone, or have ID documents that the app does not accept.

Common problems and fixes

• Different email addresses on different accounts: use one email address consistently.
• ID not accepted by the app: try the security questions or Post Office route, or use an ACSP.
• Personal code not showing: check you signed in with the email you verified with. If it still does not appear, contact Companies House.
• Leaving it late: verification is quick for most people, but problems take time to fix. Do it well before your confirmation statement is due.

What happens if you do not verify?

Verification is a legal requirement. If a director or PSC does not verify on time, the company may have problems with its filings and there can be enforcement action. Do not leave it until the last minute.

How Form My Company can help

You do not have to do this alone. Form My Company is a Companies House Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), so we can verify your identity for you, remotely, as part of your order and give you your Companies House personal code. You can still use One Login yourself if you prefer. Existing director? Our Confirmation Statement service makes sure verification is done in time. Appointing someone new? See our Director Appointment or Resignation service. Living outside the UK? Our Non-Resident Package is built for you.

Frequently asked questions