Companies House identity verification

Since 18 November 2025, company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) have had to verify their identity with Companies House. It's free with GOV.UK One Login, you only do it once, and your company can't file its confirmation statement until every director has done it.

Who has to verify

Company directors, and equivalents such as LLP members
People with significant control (PSCs)
Directors of overseas companies registered in the UK

From Companies House's identity verification guidance.^source

Verification for people who file on a company's behalf is planned for no earlier than November 2027.^source

Your deadline

18 November 2025 started a 12-month transition period for people already in post; it isn't a deadline in itself.^source Your own deadline depends on your role:

Who	When to give your personal code
Existing directors	With the company's next confirmation statement, for each company
New directors	With the appointment filing, or when incorporating a company
Existing PSCs who are also directors	Within 14 days starting the day after the company's confirmation statement date^source
Existing PSCs who aren't directors	Within the first 14 days of your birth month^source

Every PSC has a 14 days window, and can ask for an extension of 14 days if they request it before the deadline. Use our company search to see when your company's next confirmation statement is due.

What ID you need

To verify online with GOV.UK One Login, you need one of these:^source

a biometric passport, from any country
a UK photo driving licence, full or provisional
a UK biometric residence permit or card
a UK Frontier Worker permit

You'll also need your current address and the year you moved in.^source A DVLA driving licence that expired in the last 90 days is still accepted. People living in the UK without accepted photo ID may be offered a route using bank or building society details, a National Insurance number and security questions.^source

How to verify

Route	Cost	How it works
GOV.UK One Login	Free	Answer some questions and One Login picks the best way for you: the app, online security questions, or entering photo ID details online and finishing at a Post Office.^source
An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)	May charge a fee	An agent, such as an accountant or solicitor registered with Companies House, checks your ID. Your code usually arrives by email Within a few hours.

The Post Office route

Start online with GOV.UK One Login and choose the Post Office option.
Visit a participating Post Office within about 15 days (the date is on your customer letter).^source
Take your original photo ID: photocopies and digital images aren't accepted.^source
Get your result by email, usually within 1 day.

You must finish within 21 days of booking the appointment. Don't post or email identity documents to Companies House.

Verifying from outside the UK

Directors and PSCs abroad have two options. One Login accepts a biometric passport from any country.^source Or use an ACSP: the verification can be done from any country, but the agent must be registered with Companies House.^source Companies House publishes a list of ACSPs who chose to be listed. It isn't complete, and Companies House doesn't endorse the agents on it.^source

Your Companies House personal code

Once verified, you get a Companies House personal code: an 11 characters code that belongs to you, not to a company, and that you reuse for every company.^source Our personal code guide covers where to find it and exactly when directors and PSCs must give it.

If you don't verify

The company can't file its confirmation statement until all its directors are verified.^source
It may be an offence. You could face prosecution and a fine, or a financial penalty.^source
Directors who keep acting after their deadline without verifying commit an offence, and the company may too.^source
Repeat cases: Companies House is likely to treat it as serious if a person or company commits 3 or more offences in 5 years.^source

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to verify again for each company?

No. You verify once and get one personal code, which you use for every company you're involved with. You do still need to provide it for each company, for example in each company's confirmation statement.

I live outside the UK. How do I verify?

You can use GOV.UK One Login with a biometric passport from any country, or verify through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). ACSPs can verify you from any country, though they may charge.

Is there a deadline of 18 November 2026?

Not a single one. 18 November 2025 started a 12-month transition, but each existing director's deadline is their company's next confirmation statement, and each PSC has their own 14-day window. Check your own dates.

What happens if a director hasn't verified?

The company can't file its confirmation statement, and the director may be committing an offence by continuing to act. Penalties can include prosecution and a fine, or a financial penalty.

Can I verify without photo ID?

If you live in the UK, GOV.UK One Login can offer a route using your bank or building society details, your National Insurance number and security questions.

Where do I find my personal code?

Sign in to Companies House and open "Manage account". If you verified after 8 July 2026, the code was also emailed to you.

Do people who file for a company need to verify?

Not yet. Companies House plans to extend verification to people who file, no earlier than November 2027, with at least six months' notice.

Sources

Facts last checked 31 October 2026. See all sources.