How to Verify Your Identity for Companies House

Companies House guide

If you are a director or person with significant control, identity verification may be part of keeping your company records up to date. This guide explains the practical route through a Companies House authorised agent.

Why Companies House identity verification matters

Companies House identity verification is intended to help improve the reliability of information on the UK company register. It can apply to directors, people with significant control (PSCs) and other people connected with a company. The point at which you need to provide a Companies House personal code depends on your role and circumstances.

It is worth checking the official guidance before you start, particularly if you are taking up a new appointment, filing a confirmation statement or have more than one role. Companies House keeps the rules and timing under review, so the most reliable source is its guidance on when identity verification is required.

Two routes to verification

In many cases, you can complete identity verification yourself through the GOV.UK service. Alternatively, you can use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. An ACSP is an authorised agent such as an accountant or solicitor that can verify an individual on behalf of Companies House.

Using an ACSP can be helpful if you prefer a supported route or if the direct online route is not suitable for you. Companies House explains what an ACSP needs and what happens after verification in its official ACSP guidance.

How the DirectorIDVerify route works

1. Choose the service that matches where you live

Choose the UK resident service if you currently live in the United Kingdom. Choose the non-UK resident service if you currently live outside the UK. This is based on your residence, not your nationality or the country where the company is registered.

Both routes are available in standard and priority options. Standard cases are aimed to be reviewed and submitted within 3-4 working days where the information is complete and correct. Priority cases received with correct information by 12:00 on a working day are aimed to be reviewed and submitted the same day. Later or incomplete cases are normally reviewed the next working morning.

2. Pay securely and follow the on-screen prompts

After secure Stripe payment, the verification journey guides you through the evidence needed. You will be asked to provide personal details, an identity document and proof of your current address. Do not email passports, driving licences, address evidence or personal codes.

3. Make sure your proof of address is usable

Your proof of current address must be in English. If it is not, provide a certified English translation alongside the original document through the secure journey. You may also be asked for your address history for the previous 12 months, so it is useful to have those details to hand.

4. We review the evidence before submission

DirectorIDVerify reviews the evidence before making a submission. If something is missing, unclear or inconsistent, we may need to ask for clarification. This is why submitting clear, complete information is the best way to avoid delay.

5. Companies House emails your personal code

After a successful submission, Companies House emails the personal code directly to the email address provided for the verification. The code belongs to you, so keep it secure and do not send it by email. Check your inbox, spam and junk folders too.

What to do next

If you are resident in the UK, see the UK director identity verification service. If you currently live outside the UK, see the overseas verification service for non-UK residents. For a broader overview, visit the How it works page.