Verifying Your Identity for Companies House: What You Need to Do

Download our free guide

👉 Download the Landi Accounting Companies House ID Verification Guide (PDF)

It explains in simple terms how to verify, what documents you’ll need, and when to act — so you can stay compliant and avoid unnecessary costs or penalties.

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👉 You must verify your identity to continue acting in your role.

This rule forms part of the UK government’s drive to reduce fraud, improve corporate transparency, and ensure that company information on the public register is accurate and trustworthy.

If you’re a director or PSC of a UK company — this affects you.

Why has this been introduced?

These new verification rules are part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which gives Companies House more power to check who’s really behind a company.

In practical terms, it means that everyone involved in running, owning or controlling a company must now prove that they are a real, verified individual — not a false or stolen identity.

This will help:

· Prevent criminals from hiding behind fake company names

· Increase trust and transparency in UK businesses

· Make corporate information more reliable and secure

Who needs to verify?

You’ll need to verify your identity if you are:

· A company director (including those of overseas companies registered in the UK)

· A Person with Significant Control (PSC) – typically someone who owns or controls more than 25% of shares or voting rights

· A partner or member of an LLP

· A company secretary or person who files documents on behalf of a company

In most cases, you’ll only need to verify your identity once — even if you’re a director of several companies.

When do you need to verify?

This depends on your current role:

· Existing directors: must verify their identity before the company’s next confirmation statement is filed after 18 November 2025.

· New directors: must verify before appointment.

· Existing PSCs: must verify and provide their personal code within a 14-day period, which will depend on when they were registered.

· New PSCs: must verify before being added to the register.

How to verify your identity

There are two ways to complete your verification:

Option 1 – Verify directly with Companies House (Free)

You can do this yourself using the ‘Verify your identity’ service on GOV.UK, which uses the GOV.UK One Login system. It’s free and only takes a few minutes.

You’ll be guided through one of these methods:

· Using the GOV.UK app and your phone camera to scan your photo ID

· Answering online security questions

· Verifying in person at a participating Post Office

Once you’re verified, you’ll be issued with a Companies House personal code — a unique identifier linked to you personally, not your company.

You’ll need this code when:

· Filing your confirmation statement

· Being appointed as a director

· Being recorded as a PSC

Option 2 – Verify through Landi Accounting (£50 + VAT per person)

If you’d rather not deal with the GOV.UK process, Landi Accounting can complete verification for you as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

We’ll:

1. Confirm what ID documents we need (usually a passport or driving licence plus proof of address)

2. Carry out the verification on your behalf

3. Submit your confirmation to Companies House

4. Provide you with your personal code securely

The fee for this service is £50 + VAT per person.

What happens if you don’t verify?

Failing to verify your identity is not optional — it’s a legal requirement.

If you don’t complete it:

· You may commit a criminal offence

· You could face fines or prosecution

· You’ll be unable to act as a director or register a new company

· Your company could be blocked from filing its confirmation statement

· A public note of non-compliance will appear next to your name on the Companies House register

In other words — if you don’t verify, you can’t legally continue as a director.

Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1 – Identify who in your company needs to verify

· All directors (including any overseas directors)

· All Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)

· Anyone who files documents for the company

Step 2 – Choose how to verify

· Option A: Do it yourself via GOV.UK One Login (free)

· Option B: Let Landi Accounting handle it for £50 + VAT per person

Step 3 – Complete the process

If you’re doing it yourself:

· Visit www.gov.uk/verify-identity-companies-house

· Log in or create your GOV.UK One Login

· Follow the on-screen steps to verify using your photo ID

If you’re using Landi:

· Email info@landiaccounting.co.uk

· We’ll send you a checklist of ID documents and handle the process end to end

Step 4 – Receive and store your personal code

Once verified, you’ll get your Companies House personal code. Keep it safe — you’ll need it for future filings and company updates.

How Landi Accounting can help

We can:

· Review who in your company needs to verify

· Complete the verification process as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider

· Ensure your confirmation statements are filed correctly once verified