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Jul 28 2025

Verifying Your Identity with Companies House: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ensuring your identity is verified at Companies House has become a legal necessity for anyone setting up, running, owning, or controlling a UK company. This new regime is designed to strengthen corporate transparency and fight company-related fraud. 

1. Why ID Verification Is Required

Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, identity verification is essential to run a company, serve as a director, or be a “Person with Significant Control” (PSC). It aims to: 

  • Deter criminal misuse of company structures 
  • Improve accuracy and trust in the company register 

2. Who Must Verify?

ID checks apply to: 

  • Directors (including those of LLPs, general partners, managing officers) 
  • PSCs 
  • Company secretaries and anyone filing company documents 
  • Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) 

3. Important Deadlines Coming Up

  • Voluntary verification began April 8, 2025 
  • Mandatory for new directors/PSCs from autumn 2025 
  • Existing directors/PSCs have until autumn 2026 (12month transition) 

Failing to verify on time may lead to rejected filings, fines, or director disqualification. 

4. How to Verify Your Identity

There are three trusted routes: 

 A. Online via GOV.UK One Login

  • Requires biometric photo ID (e.g., biometric passport, UK driving licence, BRP/BRC, or Frontier Worker Permit) 
  • Use the GOV.UK ID-check app or web interface 
  • Need your current address and year of residence 

 

B. In Person at the Post Office

  • Available if you live in the UK and can’t verify online 
  • You’ll do an initial check online, then complete the physical ID check at a Post Office 

 

C. Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

  • Accountants, solicitors or formation agents authorised by HMRC’s AML framework can verify on your behalf 
  • You must supply documents; services may include a fee 

5. What Happens After Verification

Keep it secure—share only with trusted individuals filing on your behalf. 

6. What Happens If You Don’t Verify

Non-verification leads to serious consequences: 

  • Inability to file documents or appoint roles 
  • Potential criminal offence, fines, or director disqualification 
  • Company and officers may face penalties, disrupt operations 

 

7. Risks of Not Verifying Early

Fraud remains a real threat—false directors and phantom companies continue to surface.

Early verification reduces response time in case of misuse and helps secure the integrity of the register. 

Key Takeaways 

Step  Action 
1  Determine if you are affected (directors, PSCs, filers, ACSPs) 
2  Choose your route: GOV.UK One Login, Post Office, or ACSP 
3  Book and complete verification—get your personal code 
4  Safely store your personal code for future filings 
5  Complete verification before your next confirmation statement 

 

By following these steps and verifying early, you’ll stay ahead of regulatory requirements and safeguard both your own status and the credibility of your company.