You have probably seen that if you are a director you need to verify your identity on companies house, you’re probably wondering what this means for you and how to get it done. Let’s break this down and walk you through the process step by step.
Why Companies House Needs You to Verify Your Identity
The new ID verification system has been introduced to tackle fraud and ensure companies aren’t being used for illegal purposes. It’s part of a wider effort to increase transparency and protect the integrity of UK business registers.
Once you’ve verified, you’ll receive a Companies House personal code. This is unique to you (not your company) and you’ll need it for various filings in the future, including:
• Filing confirmation statements
• Being appointed as a director
• Becoming a Person with Significant Control (PSC)
• Making changes to company information
Think of it as your digital ID for all future Companies House interactions.
Do You Need to Verify Your Identity?
Here’s who needs to verify:
• Directors
• Company secretaries (or anyone who files on behalf of a company)
• Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)
• Members and general partners
• Managing officers
• Authorised Corporate Service Providers (like accountants who file on behalf of clients)
When Do You Need to Do This?
The timeline varies depending on your role:
Directors and PSCs – From April 8, 2025, you can choose to verify voluntarily. These are legal requirements in the future, so it’s worth getting ahead of it.
Company secretaries and filers – Not yet required, but it will be mandatory eventually.
Our advice? Don’t wait until it’s mandatory. Verifying now means you’ll avoid any last-minute rush or potential issues when it becomes compulsory.
Your Options for Verifying
You have three ways to complete your identity verification:
1. Do it yourself online (free) – We’ll walk you through this below
2. Visit a Post Office – Some locations offer in-person verification (learn more on the Companies House website)
3. Use an authorised agent – We’re an approved Companies House agent and use our systems to authorise you. We can do this for £100 plus VAT.
How to Verify Your Identity Online (The Free Route)
Here’s what you need to know before you start: we strongly recommend completing this entire process on your smartphone. While you can start on a computer, you’ll need your phone anyway, so it’s easier to do it all in one go.
What You'll Need
• A smartphone (iPhone or Android)
• A valid UK passport with the biometric symbol on the cover
• The email address linked to your Companies House account
• About 15 minutes of uninterrupted time
Navigate to the verification page
Go to https://www.gov.uk/verify-identity-companies-house on your smartphone. If you’re reading this on a computer, you can scan a QR code to get to the same page on your phone.
Start the process
Scroll down the page to see what you’ll need, then click Verify your identity at the bottom.
Access GOV.UK One Login
Click Go to GOV.UK One Login, then Create your GOV.UK One Login.
Enter your email
This is crucial: you must use the email address associated with your Companies House account. Enter it and click Continue.
Verify your email
Check your inbox for the 6-digit security code and enter it, then click Continue.
Set up your password and 2FA
Create a secure password and set up two-factor authentication using either your mobile number or an authenticator app.
Begin ID verification
Now its time for identity checks. Once your GOV.UK One Login is created, click Open GOV.UK ID Check.
Confirm your verification status
Select No if you haven’t verified yet, then click Continue.
Continue through the prompts
Click Continue again on the next screen.
Confirm your location
Select whether you live in the “UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man” or “Another country”, then click Continue.
Confirm your photo ID: Identity Documents
Confirm whether you have the required types of photo ID ( for the verification requirements, then click Continue.
Select your device type
Choose Smartphone (which we recommend), then click Continue.
Select your smartphone type
Choose whether you have an iPhone or Android device, then click Continue.
Confirm your passport
Select Yes if you have a valid passport, then click Continue.
Check for the biometric symbol
Confirm whether your passport has the biometric chip symbol on the cover (it looks like a small rectangle or camera icon). Select Yes if it does, then click Continue.
Proceed with passport verification: Verify Identity
Click Continue to use your passport and the ID Check app
Download the app
IMPORTANT: Keep this page open or bookmark it as you’ll need to return to it. Click Download GOV.UK ID Check app.
Link the app
Once downloaded, return to the browser page and click Link GOV.UK ID Check.
Scan your passport photo page
In the app, you’ll see a prompt to scan your passport’s photo page. Click Continue and follow the on-screen instructions.
Confirm the scan
Once scanned successfully, click Continue.
Scan the biometric chip
Follow the prompts to scan the biometric chip on your passport’s cover. Click Continue when ready.
Take a selfie
Click Start to use your selfie camera to verify your face matches your passport photo.
Exit the app
Click Go to GOV.UK to return to your browser.
Confirm completion
A confirmation message should appear. Click Continue.
Enter your address
Enter your postcode and click Find address, then select your address from the dropdown.
Continue to the service
Click Continue to the service.
Allow the details check
Click Continue to allow GOV.UK to check your details.
Save your personal code
You should see “Identity verification complete” with your unique Companies House personal code.
Store this code somewhere safe and share it with your accountant – you’ll need it for all future Companies House filings.
What to Do Next
If you’re already working with us as your accountant, please pass on your Companies House personal code so we can use it for your compliance filings. If you’re not yet a client but need help navigating these changes, we’d love to hear from you.
For existing directors, you will want to get this done before your next filing to ensure you’ll be ready to go for any Companies House filings without delays.
Need Help?
If you’d rather have someone else handle this for you, we’re here to help. As an authorised Companies House agent, we can complete the verification process on your behalf for £100 + VAT. This can save you time and ensure everything is done correctly.
Have questions about the process or need clarification on whether you need to verify?
