Your verification journey
How Companies House identity verification works.
Choose a service, pay securely, follow the on-screen prompts and we will review your evidence before making any submission.
Four simple stages
From payment to your Companies House personal code.
Choose your service
Select a UK resident or non-UK resident service based on where you currently live. Choose standard or priority according to the time you need.
Pay securely online
Complete your fixed-fee card payment through Stripe. You are then taken to the secure verification journey.
Follow the on-screen prompts
Submit the requested identity document and proof of current address. We do not ask you to email sensitive documents.
Receive your Companies House email
After a successful review and submission, Companies House emails your personal code directly to the email address you provided.
Evidence you will need
Bring clear, current information to the secure journey.
The precise evidence is confirmed on screen. Preparing these details in advance makes the process smoother.
- Your full legal name, any former names and date of birth
- Your current residential address and, where requested, your address history for the last 12 months
- An email address you can access and a mobile number if prompted
- A valid identity document for your selected route
- Proof of your current address in English
- A certified English translation if your proof of address is not in English
Only upload evidence through the secure journey. Do not send passport images, proof of address, dates of birth or personal codes by email.
Service timing
Standard and priority review aims.
We begin our review once we have received complete and correct information. We will contact you if anything further is needed.
Standard service
We aim to review and submit complete applications within 2 working days. Once a successful submission has been made, Companies House emails the personal code directly to the email address provided.
Priority service
Where correct and complete information is received by 12:00 on a working day, we aim to review and submit it the same day. Applications received later, or needing clarification, are normally reviewed the next working morning.
Times are aims, not a guarantee. Requests for additional information, the quality of the evidence provided and Companies House processing can affect the overall timing. We do not control when Companies House issues a personal code.
Why use an ACSP?
Professional verification through an authorised agent.
Companies House allows individuals to use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, such as an accountant or solicitor, to verify their identity.
Read the official GOV.UK guidanceWhat happens next?
Companies House sends your code directly to you.
Your personal code belongs to you, not your company or agent. Keep it private and check your inbox, spam and junk folders after a successful submission.
See answers to common questionsNeed wider support?
Talk to a Chartered Accountant.
SB Business Consulting can discuss accounting, tax and company compliance in a free initial consultation.