Companies House guide
A Companies House personal code is an important part of identity verification. Here is what it is, how it is sent and how to keep it secure.
What is a Companies House personal code?
A Companies House personal code is a unique code issued to an individual after their identity has been successfully verified. It is connected to you as a person, rather than being connected to only one company. You may need to provide it when you take on a director role, file or confirm information for a company, or meet a PSC verification requirement.
The exact way you use the code depends on your role and your company’s circumstances. For current information, check Companies House guidance on when to verify your identity.
Key points
- Your personal code belongs to you, not your company, accountant or authorised agent.
- Companies House sends it directly to the email address used for the verification.
- You may need to use the same code separately for more than one company or role.
How do you receive a personal code?
If an ACSP verifies your identity and makes a successful submission, Companies House emails your personal code to the email address you provided. This is why it is important to use an email inbox you can access and to double-check the address before completing the secure journey.
Companies House says that you should receive the email within a few hours after an ACSP has verified you. In a managed service, allow time for the agent’s evidence review and submission first. With DirectorIDVerify, standard applications are aimed to be reviewed and submitted within 3-4 working days where complete and correct; priority applications received by 12:00 on a working day are aimed to be reviewed and submitted the same day.
Does an agent receive the personal code?
No. DirectorIDVerify does not receive or hold your personal code. Companies House sends it to you directly. This protects your control over a code that may be needed for future company roles.
Do not email the code to us, include it in a contact form or send it to anyone unless a Companies House process explicitly requires you to use it. Treat it as confidential information.
What if you are a director and a PSC?
One person can have more than one relevant role. For example, you may be a director and also a PSC of the same company. You may need to provide the same personal code separately for each role or filing. It is therefore important not to assume that providing the code once completes every Companies House step.
If you are involved with several companies, keep a secure record of your personal code and check the instructions for each role. The official timing and filing guidance is the right source if you are unsure.
What if the email does not arrive?
- Check your spam and junk folders.
- Make sure you are checking the inbox used in the verification journey.
- If your verification has been successfully submitted but you have not received an email, contact the agent that verified you without sending sensitive information.
- If the email address supplied was wrong, the ACSP may need to correct it. Companies House also explains how it can resend the email in its ACSP guidance.
How to keep your personal code safe
Keep the code out of routine email threads, shared notes and unsecured documents. Do not confuse it with a company authentication code or a reference number. It is your own personal identifier, and it may be needed again.
If you are only beginning the process, read our step-by-step guide to verifying your identity for Companies House. If you need a service, choose the UK resident or non-UK resident route based on where you currently live.
Need help with the practical process?
See the FAQs for clear answers on service timing, proof of address and how the secure journey works.
Read the FAQs