Verifying your ID with Companies House
Companies House has introduced a new ID verification process to increase security for registered companies. This is a new legal requirement to verify that you are who you say you are, aiming to reduce the risk of fraud and improve company transparency, trust, and accuracy.
Everyone who is a Company Director, or ‘A Person with Significant Control’ (PSC) of a charitable company, CIC, or social enterprise registered with Companies House is now required to verify their identity before the filing their company’s next confirmation statement (for Directors) or within a 14 day period specified by Companies House for Persons with Significant Control.
How Identity Verification Works
To help you, we’ve created some guidance below around verifying your ID with Companies House. This includes what you need to do if you have photograph ID and if you don’t. If you do have photo ID and need some support with verifying, please email support@vast.org.uk or call 01782 683030.
Identity verification for Companies House is a two-step process.
Step One: Verify Your Identity
Verify your identity – once verified, you will be issued with a Companies House personal code. This code is unique to you and should be kept safe.
To verify your identity, you must complete an identity check through Companies House. This is usually done online using GOV.UK One Login. You will be asked to sign in (or create an account), enter your personal details, and use the GOV.UK ID Check app on a smartphone or tablet to scan an approved photo ID and take a live selfie so your identity can be confirmed.
If you are unable to complete the check using a smartphone or tablet, you can start the process online and then choose to complete your identity verification in person at a Post Office that offers in-branch verification.
If you do not have suitable photo ID, you can verify your identity through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as a solicitor or accountant authorised by Companies House. They will complete the identity check on your behalf using alternative documents and submit the verification to Companies House.
Once your ID has been verified, you’ll be given a Companies House personal code. You’ll need this code to do things like:
- File your confirmation statement.
- Register as a director, board member, or trustee.
- Register as a Person with Significant Control.
Step Two: Link Your Personal Code
Link your personal code to your company role(s) – you will need to provide your personal code to Companies House to connect your verified identity to each role you hold, such as director or Person with Significant Control. If you hold more than one role, or are involved with more than one organisation, you will need to do this for each role.
You can check when you need to link your personal code by searching for your organisation on the Companies House register and selecting the ‘People’ tab, which shows the identity verification status for each director or Person with Significant Control.
How you receive your Companies House personal code depends on how your identity was verified.
- If you verified using GOV.UK One Login, you can view your personal code by signing in to Companies House and selecting ‘Manage account’.
- If you verified in person at a Post Office, you will first receive an email confirming your identity check and can then view your personal code in your Companies House account.
- If you verified through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), your personal code will be sent to the email address they provided on your behalf.
If you’re already a director or PSC, you’ll need your Companies House personal code to connect your verified ID to Companies House Records. It’s a legal requirement to make sure your ID is linked to any roles you have.
You may not need to take action immediately. Identity verification and linking your personal code will be required at specific points in the process, such as when a confirmation statement is due or when a role is being registered. It is important to understand the process and ensure your identity is verified and linked to each individual role.
For more information, please refer to the guidance below or contact us for further support.