The short answer
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, company directors and people with significant control must verify their identity with Companies House. You can verify online using GOV.UK One Login or through an authorised corporate service provider such as an accountant, and then use your personal code when filing.
Checked 26 October 2026. Rates for 2026/27.Key facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who must verify | Directors, PSCs and some others |
| Main online route | GOV.UK One Login |
| Alternative | Authorised corporate service provider |
| Cost | Free online |
| Evidence | Passport, driving licence or other approved ID |
Why identity verification was introduced
Identity verification is part of a wider effort to make the UK company register more reliable. Companies House has long relied on the information that companies supply, without checking who is actually behind each filing. That created opportunities for fraud, misuse of addresses and false directors. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 gave Companies House stronger powers, including the ability to verify the identity of directors and persons with significant control.
For honest company owners, it means an extra step in registration and in the first filing after the change begins. For the register as a whole, it should reduce abuse and make company information more trustworthy.
Who has to verify
The requirement applies to new and existing directors of UK companies, to people with significant control, and to those who file on behalf of a company, such as an authorised agent. New directors and PSCs must be verified as part of the process of being appointed or registered. Existing directors and PSCs are given a transition period, usually by the date of the company’s next confirmation statement, to complete verification.
The details of the dates have changed as the rules have come into force, so always check the current guidance on GOV.UK before you rely on a date. If you have several directorships, you verify once and use your personal code for each company.
Option one: verify online with GOV.UK One Login
The simplest way for most people is to verify online. You create or use a GOV.UK One Login account, choose to verify your identity for Companies House, and follow the steps. You will usually be asked to scan a photo ID, such as a UK or foreign passport or a UK photocard driving licence, and take a short video or selfie to prove it is you, using the GOV.UK app or a compatible device.
At the end, you receive a personal code, which you give to the company when you are appointed as a director or when you file as a person with significant control. It is free to verify online.
Option two: verify through an authorised agent
If you cannot or prefer not to verify online, you can use an authorised corporate service provider, also known as an ACSP. Many accountants and company formation agents register as ACSPs and can verify your identity face to face or remotely, using their own checks, and then confirm to Companies House that you are verified.
This route may suit people without a smartphone, or those who do not have the right type of identity document for the online route. The provider may charge a fee for the service.
What you will need
Prepare these items before you start. You need a valid passport or UK driving licence, or another accepted form of photo ID. You need a mobile phone or a device with a camera that supports the app. You need an email address and a phone number. Be ready to give personal details such as your name, date of birth and address.
People with unusual circumstances, such as those without standard ID, can contact Companies House, which has alternative routes, but allow extra time.
What happens after you verify
After verification, your details are linked to a personal code, and you can use it for every company you run. Companies House records that you are verified, and your name appears on the register with the verified status. You must provide the code when you file as a director or PSC.
If your personal details change, such as your name or the address on your ID, you may need to update your record. Keep your documents and your code safe, because the code is linked to your identity.
Penalties for not verifying
Failing to verify can have serious consequences. A person who is not verified cannot be appointed as a director, and an existing director who misses the deadline may be committing an offence. Companies House can issue fines, and the company itself can be penalised. A company that repeatedly ignores the rules could face enforcement action.
The simplest way to avoid trouble is to verify promptly, well before any deadline, and make sure all your co-directors and PSCs do the same.
Tips to make verification quicker
Verification is usually quick, but a few habits help. Use a valid passport or photocard driving licence rather than an older paper licence, which may not be accepted. Make sure the photo and details on your ID match the details you enter, including your full name. Use good lighting for the face check, and keep the document flat when scanning. Have your phone charged and your email accessible for confirmation codes.
If the online check fails, do not keep retrying many times. Try a different document, or use an authorised corporate service provider instead. Starting early gives you room to resolve problems before any deadline.
Privacy and the data Companies House holds
Many people worry about what happens to their ID documents. The verification process is run through GOV.UK One Login, and Companies House receives confirmation of the result, not a copy of the image of your face. Companies House stores your identity verification status and personal code, and uses the data to detect fraud. The data is subject to UK data protection law.
Your personal code is not public. You share it only with companies and agents that need it for filings on your behalf, so treat it like a password.
How verification affects company filings
Verification changes how some filings work. When you appoint a new director, the company needs the person’s personal code or confirmation that they are verified before the appointment is accepted. When a person with significant control is added, the same applies. Accountants and agents who file for companies must also be authorised and verified under the new rules, so check that your adviser is registered. If a filing is rejected because someone is not verified, the quickest fix is to complete verification and resubmit. Planning ahead for new appointments avoids delay, especially around year-end and confirmation statement dates.
The bottom line
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, company directors and people with significant control must verify their identity with Companies House. If you would rather not do it alone, our fixed fees start at £45.83 + VAT a month.
Frequently asked questions
Who has to verify their identity with Companies House?
New and existing directors, people with significant control, and others who file documents on behalf of a company must verify their identity.
How do I verify my identity for Companies House?
Most people use GOV.UK One Login online, with a photo ID and a short check of their face, and receive a personal code. You can also use an authorised corporate service provider.
Is identity verification free?
Verifying online through GOV.UK is free. An authorised agent may charge a fee for verifying you through their own service.
What is the Companies House personal code?
It is a code you receive when you verify your identity. You use it to show you are verified when you are appointed as a director or file for a company.
What if I am a director of several companies?
You verify once and use the same personal code for each company. You do not need to repeat the process for every directorship.
Do I need to verify if my accountant files for me?
Yes, directors and PSCs must still be verified. The accountant, if they file as an authorised agent, must also be registered with Companies House under the new rules.
This article is general information, not personal tax or financial advice. Rules and rates change, so check GOV.UK or speak to an accountant about your circumstances. Rates shown are for 2026/27, last checked November 2026.