In short: Directors and people with significant control (PSCs) verify their identity once, either through GOV.UK One Login (the app, online questions or a Post Office) or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider such as a formation agent. Once verified, you receive a personal code, which you give to the company so it can link you to your role at Companies House.
Identity verification is now a legal requirement for UK company directors and PSCs. It was introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to make it harder to use false identities on the Companies House register.
Who needs to verify
- New directors and PSCs: since 18 November 2025, you must verify before you are appointed or registered.
- Existing directors: you verify during the 12-month transition period, which ends around 18 November 2026. Usually you must do it by the time the company files its next confirmation statement.
- Existing PSCs: the deadline depends on whether you are also a director. A PSC who is also a director usually links to the confirmation statement; a PSC who is not a director usually has a window based on their birth month.
- LLP members must also verify.
You only verify once, even if you are a director of several companies.
Route 1: GOV.UK One Login
This is the Companies House route. You create a GOV.UK One Login and then prove your identity in one of three ways:
- GOV.UK ID Check app on a smartphone, scanning photo ID such as a UK photocard driving licence, a UK passport, a non-UK passport with a biometric chip, or a UK biometric residence permit or card.
- Online security questions, using a UK passport, UK photocard driving licence or a UK bank or building society account, plus questions about your financial history.
- In person at a Post Office, using a UK or non-UK passport, a UK or EU photocard driving licence, or certain national identity cards.
If you have the right documents, the online routes can take a few minutes. People without UK documents or a UK credit history can find the online routes harder.
Route 2: An Authorised Corporate Service Provider
An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) is a business that Companies House has authorised to verify identities. You give the ACSP your documents, it checks them, and it confirms your identity to Companies House. This route suits people who live outside the UK, who do not have suitable documents for the app, or who prefer help. 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.
Your personal code
After verification you receive a personal code. Keep it safe. It is unique to you and is used to:
- link you to a company as a director;
- link you as a PSC;
- show the company has met its verification duties.
The company (or its agent) will ask you for your personal code when it files your appointment or its confirmation statement. Do not post it publicly.
What happens if you do not verify
If a director or PSC does not verify on time, the company may not be able to file its confirmation statement, appointments may be rejected, and the person and company may commit an offence. The public register may also show that a person has not verified. Do not leave it to the last week.
Step-by-step checklist
- Find out your deadline (for existing directors, usually your next confirmation statement date).
- Gather your photo ID.
- Choose GOV.UK One Login or an ACSP.
- Complete verification and save your personal code.
- Give the code to your company or its agent.
- Make sure it is linked to every company where you are a director or PSC.
How Form My Company can help
No app needed. Form My Company is a Companies House Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), so we can verify your identity for you, remotely, and give you your Companies House personal code. For new companies, it is part of every formation order, starting with the Digital Package at £290. For existing companies, we can verify directors and PSCs alongside our Confirmation Statement service (£190) or Director Appointment or Resignation service (£100). Call our Edinburgh team on 0131 322 1309 if you are unsure which route suits you.
Frequently asked questions
Is identity verification compulsory for directors?
Yes. Since 18 November 2025 every new director must verify, and existing directors must verify during the transition period, usually at their next confirmation statement.
What is a Companies House personal code?
It is a unique code you receive after verifying your identity. Companies use it to link you to your role as director or PSC.
Can I verify if I live outside the UK?
Yes. You can use GOV.UK One Login with a suitable passport, or verify through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. Form My Company is a Companies House ACSP and can verify you remotely.
Do I need to verify for each company?
No. You verify once and use the same personal code for every company where you are a director or PSC.
What happens if I do not verify in time?
Filings may be rejected and the director and company may commit an offence. Verify well before your deadline.