- Companies House has introduced new identity verification measures to deter individuals from registering companies using false or obscure identities, helping to prevent fraud and improve corporate transparency in the UK.
- These measures are part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA), which grants Companies House enhanced powers to improve the quality and reliability of the information held in the companies register.
- From , identity verification became mandatory for all newly appointed company directors and PSCs.
- Existing directors and PSCs entered a transitional period, during which identity verification remains voluntary. The transition is designed to minimise disruption while allowing businesses time to comply before enforcement begins in .
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) introduced extensive reforms to UK company law, significantly enhancing transparency and combating economic crime. The Act grants Companies House new powers to verify the accuracy of information on the companies register and take action against fraudulent filings.
Central to these reforms is a mandatory identity verification process for all company officers and filers. A voluntary phase for verification began on , with full compliance required by .
The ECCTA also introduces other significant changes. Companies House fees is set to increase substantially from . Registered office addresses can no longer be PO Boxes, enhancing accountability and transparency. As the best company formation agent, Your Company Formations, has registered as Authorised Corporate Service Provider.
While Your Company Formations already performs Anti-Money Laundering (AML) identity checks during company registration, the ECCTA mandates an additional identity verification process specifically for Companies House compliance.
Who needs to verify their identity with Companies House?
Companies House requires identity verification for anyone operating, owning, or controlling a UK company. The requirement applies to newly registered companies at incorporation and existing companies within a transitional period. Key individuals and entities needing verification include:
- Company Directors
- Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)
- LLP Members and Designated Partners
- Anyone filing documents on behalf of a company (e.g., company secretaries, administrators)
- Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs), including accountants, company formation agents (like YCF), solicitors, and governance professionals, if they conduct AML-regulated activities for clients
When do you need to verify your identity for Companies House?
Your Companies House identity verification deadline depends on your role and appointment date:
- New Appointments and Companies (On or After ): If appointed as a director, LLP member, or PSC, or incorporating a new company on or after , you must complete identity verification at the point of appointment or incorporation. Neither a new company nor a new director appointment is valid without the required individuals verifying their identity and obtaining their 11-character Companies House personal code.
- Existing Directors and LLP Members (Appointed Before ): Verify your identity by your company’s next annual Confirmation Statement filing date after . The deadline typically provides until for compliance, based on your company’s specific filing schedule.
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Existing Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) (Appointed Before ): Your verification deadline falls within a window:
- PSCs also serving as Directors: The window begins on your company’s Confirmation Statement date.
- PSCs NOT serving as Directors: The window starts on the first day of their birth month as recorded on the Companies House register (e.g., for a PSC with a March birth month).
- Professional Agents and Future Filers: Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs), such as accountants or solicitors, could begin registering as ACSPs from .
What are the identity verification requirements?
To comply with Companies House rules, identity verification follows a structured process involving both document checks and personal information validation:
- Provide identification documents and a live image: Submit a valid photo ID (such as a passport or UK driving licence) and proof of your current residential address. These documents are uploaded digitally. You must also take a live selfie or short video, which is used to match your face against the photo on your ID.
- Submit key personal information: Provide your full legal name (including any former names), date of birth, current home address, a address history, and a valid email address.
Once submitted, the system cross-references the facial image with the ID and verifies the provided information. If everything matches and the documents meet the required standards, your identity verification is approved and you are deemed compliant under Companies House rules.
Verifying your identity directly with Companies House using GOV.UK One Login
You can verify your identity directly with Companies House through the GOV.UK One Login system. The process uses the GOV.UK ID Check app with facial recognition to match your photo with your identity document.
You will need one of the following biometric documents:
- A biometric passport (from any country)
- A UK photo driving licence (full or provisional)
- A UK biometric residence permit (BRP)
- A UK biometric residence card (BRC)
- A UK Frontier Worker permit (FWP)
Make sure your phone meets the minimum system requirements:
- iOS 14 or higher (for iPhone)
- Android 10 or higher
Verifying your identity through an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP)
You can verify your identity through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as Your Company Formations. ACSPs are approved by Companies House to carry out identity checks on your behalf, provided they are supervised under the UK’s anti-money laundering regulations. The process allows you to complete your verification securely and efficiently through a trusted intermediary.
Choosing an ACSP is particularly useful if you don’t have UK biometric IDs, live overseas, or prefer expert guidance over the free GOV.UK One Login route.
How to use your Companies House personal code provided after ID verification
After verifying your identity, you receive a unique 11-character Companies House personal code. Since you only verify your ID once, you are expected to use the code for all your current and future company roles. How you use your code depends on your role and appointment status:
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Submit Your Personal Code for Director Appointments and Confirmation Statements:
- Existing Directors (Appointed Before ): Include your personal code (as prompted by the CH system) when your company files its next annual confirmation statement.
- New Directors (Appointed On or After ): Provide your personal code as part of your director appointment filing. Your Company Formations integrates the step directly into our online company formation process for new companies.
- Filing Impact: Companies cannot file a confirmation statement or a new director appointment without the relevant director’s personal code.
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Verify Your Identity as a PSC Using the Dedicated GOV.UK Service Within : As a Person with Significant Control (PSC), provide your personal code via the “Provide identity verification details for a PSC” service on GOV.UK within a window:
- PSCs also serving as Directors: Your window begins on your company’s Confirmation Statement date.
- PSCs NOT serving as Directors: Your window starts on the first day of your birth month as recorded on the Companies House register (e.g., for a March birthday).
- New PSCs (Appointed On or After ): Your window begins from your registration date on Companies House.
- Share Your Personal Code Securely with Trusted Filing Agents: While your personal code remains confidential and private, share it with trusted filing agents like your accountant, solicitor, or company secretary. When YCF acts as your filing agent, we input your code during the filing process to meet verification requirements.
How to select an Authorised Corporate Service Provider
When selecting an ACSP for your identity verification, follow these steps:
- Consult your existing professional network: Your current accountant or solicitor may already be a registered ACSP, simplifying the process as they likely hold your ID documents from previous AML checks. If they are not registered, seek their recommendation.
- Check the official GOV.UK list: Companies House provides a list of registered ACSPs. Note that inclusion is voluntary and does not guarantee service availability to the general public.
- Verify regulatory and professional standing: An ACSP must meet two requirements. First, they must be registered and supervised by a UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) body (e.g., SRA, ICAEW). Second, they must have successfully applied to Companies House as an “authorised agent.” Conduct online due diligence to confirm their legitimacy and regulation.
- Evaluate suitability for complex needs: Match an ACSP’s specialisation to your situation. If you’re an international director, choose an ACSP experienced with diverse international IDs, as they accept more document types than the digital route. If managing multiple directors, opt for ACSPs specialising in coordinated bulk verifications and entity management. If the GOV.UK app repeatedly fails, an ACSP offers manual document validation by trained professionals.
- Compare costs and security: ACSPs charge fees, typically ranging from £45 to £250 per person, depending on complexity. Your Company Formations offers standalone Companies House identity verification for £24.99 + VAT per person. Prioritise providers with robust security measures for handling your sensitive personal data.
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