8th April 2025 saw the launch of a new service that allows individuals to verify their identity directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login. People can also verify their identity through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

The introduction of identity verification is one of the key changes to UK company law under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. This landmark legislation gave Companies House new and enhanced powers to help disrupt economic crime and support economic growth.

You’ll need to verify your identity if you are:

  • A director
  • The equivalent of a director – this includes members, general partners and managing officers
  • A person with significant control (PSC)
  • An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – also known as a Companies House authorised agent
  • Someone who files for a company – for example, a company secretary

In most cases, you’ll only need to verify your identity once and you must not verify again unless Companies House tells you to do so.

Ways to verify your identity:

Online

You can verify online if you have the identity documents or information required. This route uses GOV.UK One Login to verify your identity and is free of charge.

You’ll need one of the following types of photo ID:

  • biometric passport from any country
  • UK photo driving licence (full or provisional)
  • UK biometric residence permit (BRP)
  • UK biometric residence card (BRC)
  • UK Frontier Worker permit (FWP)

GOV.UK One Login will ask you some simple questions to find the best way for you to verify your identity online. Depending on your answers, you’ll then be guided to verify using a GOV.UK mobile phone app or in your web browser.

If you do not have any of these types of ID but live in the UK, you may be able to verify with bank or building society details instead. You’ll need to use the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service to find out if you can verify this way.

Verify your identity for Companies House.

  • In person at a Post Office
  • If you cannot verify online and you live in the UK, you may be able to verify your identity in person at a Post Office. You’ll need to use the ’Verify your identity for Companies House’ service first to find out if you can verify this way. This route uses GOV.UK One Login to verify your identity and is free of charge.
  • Using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
  • You can ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify your identity on your behalf.

You can do this from any country, but your agent must register with Companies House in order to become authorised. They must be registered with a UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervisory body.

When an agent has agreed to verify your identity, you will need to provide documents from an approved list as evidence of your identity. They may charge a fee for their services.

What happens when you verify

When you have successfully verified, you’ll get a unique identifier known as a Companies House personal code. The code is personal to you, not your company or a company you work for.

From Autumn 2025, you’ll need it for various reasons. For example:

  • when you file your confirmation statement
  • if you are appointed as a director
  • if you become a person with significant control (PSC)
  • If you are currently a director or a PSC, you’ll need to use your Companies House personal code to connect your verified identity to our records. This is a legal requirement, and will ensure that we know the correct identity is linked to any roles you hold.

Only share the personal code with people you trust.  You may need to share this code with people you trust to file on your behalf, or for your company. Keep this information secure, as you would with other unique codes such as your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for HMRC. 

For further information on any points raised in this article, please contact Amanda Sells on 01392 260125 or email amandasells@wbw.co.uk.

WBW Solicitors has offices in Axminster, Bovey Tracey, Brixham, Chard, Exeter, Exmouth, Honiton, Launceston, Newton Abbot, Paignton, Seaton, Sidmouth, and Torquay.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please note that the law may have changed since this article was published.