How to Verify Identity Companies House: Complete Guide 2026

Step-by-Step Process, ACSP Options & Expert Help

Learn exactly how to verify identity Companies House requires for directors, PSCs, and company officers. Complete guide covering DIY verification, ACSP services, timelines, costs, and expert support from Glasgow-based authorised agents.

Ways to Verify

5-7

Days (Standard)

24-48hrs

Express Option

Verify Identity with LPA Accountancy

What Does It Mean to Verify Identity Companies House?

Understanding the new identity verification requirements under ECCTA 2023

To verify identity Companies House means to complete the mandatory identity verification process introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA). This process confirms your identity before you can be appointed as a director, PSC (Person with Significant Control), or certain other company roles.

When you verify identity Companies House successfully, you receive an 11-character verification code (called a Companies House Personal Code) that you must provide when filing certain documents with Companies House. This code proves your identity has been verified and is valid for all your current and future company roles.

💡 Key Point

You only need to verify identity Companies House once in your lifetime. The verification code you receive can be used for multiple companies and roles. However, you must complete verification before being appointed to certain positions.

Why Was This Introduced?

The requirement to verify identity Companies House was introduced to combat economic crime, money laundering, and corporate fraud. By verifying the identity of all company directors and PSCs, the UK government aims to:

Prevent criminals from hiding behind fake or stolen identities
Increase transparency in UK company ownership
Make it easier to hold company officers accountable
Align the UK with international anti-money laundering standards
Protect legitimate businesses from fraudulent competition

Who Needs to Verify Identity Companies House?

Required roles and deadlines for identity verification

You must verify identity Companies House if you are or will become:

1. Company Directors

All directors of UK companies (including non-executive directors) must verify identity Companies House. New directors must verify before appointment. Existing directors must verify before filing their next Confirmation Statement.

2. Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)

If you're a PSC who is not also a director, you have 14 days from your birth month to verify identity Companies House and link your verification code via the VS01 service. PSCs include anyone who:

Holds more than 25% of shares in the company
Holds more than 25% of voting rights
Has the right to appoint or remove the majority of directors
Has significant influence or control over the company

3. Company Secretaries (in certain cases)

Company secretaries filing certain documents must verify identity Companies House.

4. Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs)

Anyone operating as an ACSP helping others verify identity Companies House must themselves be verified.

⚠️ Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to verify identity Companies House by the required deadline is a criminal offence. Penalties include unlimited fines and potential imprisonment. From late 2026, Companies House will begin active enforcement, and unverified individuals will be prevented from filing any documents.

Two Ways to Verify Identity Companies House

Choose between DIY verification or professional ACSP service

DIY Verification

Verify identity Companies House directly through the Companies House online service. Free of charge but requires digital ID verification and can take several weeks. Best for UK residents with biometric passports.

✓ Cost: Free
✓ Time: 2-4 weeks
✓ Difficulty: Moderate
✗ Limited support

ACSP Verification

Use an authorised agent like LPA Accountancy to verify identity Companies House on your behalf. Faster, professional support, handles complex cases. Required for some international directors.

✓ Cost: £99-£299
✓ Time: 24hrs-7 days
✓ Difficulty: Easy
✓ Expert support

🤔 Which Method Should You Choose?

Choose DIY verification if you: have a UK biometric passport, are comfortable with online systems, don't need your code urgently, and are based in the UK.

Choose ACSP verification if you: are based outside the UK, need verification quickly, want professional support, have complex documentation, or simply prefer peace of mind.

How to Verify Identity Companies House DIY

Step-by-step guide to self-service verification

To verify identity Companies House yourself using the free service, follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a Companies House Account

Visit the Companies House website and create a Companies House account if you don't already have one. You'll need an email address and will create a password.

Step 2: Start the Verification Process

Log into your Companies House account and navigate to the "Verify your identity" section. Click "Start now" to begin the process to verify identity Companies House.

Step 3: Provide Personal Information

Enter your personal details including:

Full legal name (as appears on your ID)
Date of birth
Current residential address
Nationality
Previous names (if applicable)

Step 4: Upload Identity Documents

You'll need to upload a clear photograph or scan of your identity document. Accepted documents to verify identity Companies House include:

UK biometric passport (most reliable option)
UK photocard driving licence
Non-UK passport with valid UK visa

Step 5: Complete Liveness Check

To verify identity Companies House, you'll need to complete a liveness check using your smartphone or webcam. This involves taking a short video selfie to prove you're a real person presenting your own documents.

Step 6: Proof of Address

Upload proof of your current residential address dated within the last 3 months:

Bank statement
Utility bill (gas, electricity, water)
Council tax bill
HMRC tax document

Step 7: Submit and Wait

Review all information carefully, then submit your application to verify identity Companies House. You'll receive email updates about your application status.

Step 8: Receive Your Verification Code

If approved (typically 2-4 weeks), Companies House will email your 11-character verification code directly to you. Save this code securely – you'll need it for all Companies House filings.

⚠️ Common DIY Verification Issues

Poor quality document photographs causing rejections
Liveness check failures due to lighting or camera issues
Address mismatches between ID and proof of address
Processing delays of 4-6 weeks during busy periods
Limited support if applications are rejected
Difficulties for non-UK residents

How to Verify Identity Companies House via ACSP

Professional verification service from authorised agents

Using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify identity Companies House is faster, easier, and comes with professional support. Here's how it works with LPA Accountancy:

Step 1: Choose Your Service Level

Select the verification service that matches your needs:

UK Standard (£99): 5-7 working days for UK residents
UK Express (£199): 24-48 hours (usually same day) for UK residents
International Standard (£199): 10-14 days for non-UK residents
International Premium (£299): 7-10 days for non-UK residents

Step 2: Upload Documents Securely

Use our encrypted portal to upload your ID and proof of address. Our team checks document quality before proceeding, preventing rejections when we verify identity Companies House on your behalf.

Step 3: Complete Liveness Verification

Complete a simple digital liveness check via our secure platform. Our team guides you through the process and resolves any technical issues immediately.

Step 4: ACSP Review & Verification

Our HMRC-supervised compliance team reviews your documents against ECCTA 2023 standards. We conduct AML checks and ensure everything meets Companies House requirements to verify identity Companies House successfully.

Step 5: Submission to Companies House

As an authorised agent, we submit your verification statement directly to Companies House. This includes our professional certification that we've verified your identity in accordance with the law.

Step 6: Receive Your Code

Companies House emails your 11-character verification code directly to you within the stated timeframe (24-48 hours for express, 5-7 days for standard UK, 7-14 days for international).

✓ Benefits of ACSP Verification

99% first-time acceptance rate – expert document review prevents rejections
Express processing available – get verified in 24-48 hours if urgent
International expertise – specialists in non-UK documentation
Dedicated support – assigned specialist guides you through each step
Complex case handling – apostille, name changes, expired documents
Professional compliance – HMRC-supervised, fully insured service

Verify Identity with LPA Accountancy

Documents Required to Verify Identity Companies House

Complete list of acceptable identification and proof of address

To verify identity Companies House, you need two types of documents:

Identity Documents (ONE Required)

You must provide one of the following valid photo ID documents:

Document Type	UK Residents	Non-UK Residents
Biometric Passport	✓ Accepted (preferred)	✓ Accepted (required)
Photocard Driving Licence	✓ UK driving licence accepted	✗ Not accepted
EEA National ID Card	✓ If valid in UK	✓ If valid
Non-UK Passport	✓ With valid UK visa	✓ With apostille (via ACSP)

Proof of Address (ONE Required)

Must be dated within the last 3 months and show your current residential address:

Bank or building society statement
Credit card statement
Utility bill (gas, electricity, water, landline phone)
Council tax bill or statement
HMRC tax document (P60, tax assessment, tax credit)
Mortgage statement
Pension or benefits letter from government

⚠️ Documents NOT Accepted as Proof of Address

Mobile phone bills
TV licence
Insurance documents
Solicitor's letters
Employer reference letters
Documents older than 3 months

Special Requirements for International Applicants

If you're based outside the UK and need to verify identity Companies House, additional requirements may apply:

Apostille: Non-UK documents may require apostille certification
Translation: Documents not in English must be professionally translated
Notarization: Some jurisdictions require notarized copies
Consular authentication: For countries not part of Hague Convention

💡 LPA Accountancy Can Help

Our international verification service handles all complexities including apostille guidance, document translation, and consular authentication. We specialize in helping non-UK residents verify identity Companies House regardless of your location.

Timelines & Costs to Verify Identity Companies House

How long does it take and what does it cost?

DIY Verification Timeline

When you verify identity Companies House through the free DIY service:

Typical processing time: 2-4 weeks
Busy periods: Up to 6 weeks
Rush service: Not available
Cost: Free

ACSP Verification Timeline (LPA Accountancy)

Service	Processing Time	Cost	Best For
UK Standard	5-7 working days	£99	UK residents, standard timeline
UK Express	24-48 hours (usually same day)	£199	Urgent UK verification
International Standard	10-14 working days	£199	Non-UK residents
International Premium	7-10 working days	£299	Urgent international verification

✓ Why Choose ACSP Verification?

While DIY verification is free, ACSP services offer significant advantages that justify the cost:

Time savings: Get verified 10-20x faster than DIY
First-time success: 99% acceptance rate vs ~70% for DIY
Expert support: Dedicated specialist guides you through process
Complex cases: Handles situations DIY service cannot
Peace of mind: Professional service with guarantees
International capability: Only option for many non-UK residents

Deadline Calculator

When you need to verify identity Companies House depends on your role:

📅 Important Deadlines

New Directors: Must verify before appointment (no grace period)
Existing Directors: Before next Confirmation Statement filing
PSCs (non-directors): 14 days from your birth month
Company Secretaries: Before filing relevant documents

Recommendation: Start verification process at least 3-4 weeks before any deadline to allow for potential delays or document issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about how to verify identity Companies House

How do I verify identity Companies House if I live abroad?

To verify identity Companies House from abroad, you must use an authorised ACSP service like LPA Accountancy. Our international verification service handles all complexities including apostille requirements, document translation, and consular authentication. We specialize in non-UK resident verification with processing times of 7-14 working days.

Can I verify identity Companies House using a driving licence?

Yes, UK residents can verify identity Companies House using a valid UK photocard driving licence. However, a biometric passport is the preferred option as it has fewer technical issues with the liveness verification process. Non-UK driving licences are not accepted – international applicants must use a passport.

How long does it take to verify identity Companies House?

DIY verification to verify identity Companies House typically takes 2-4 weeks (up to 6 weeks during busy periods). Using an ACSP like LPA Accountancy is much faster: UK standard verification takes 5-7 days, express service delivers in 24-48 hours (usually same day), and international verification takes 7-14 days depending on service level.

What happens if my application to verify identity Companies House is rejected?

If your DIY application to verify identity Companies House is rejected, you'll receive an email explaining why. Common reasons include poor quality photos, liveness check failures, or address mismatches. You can reapply, but rejections often recur. LPA Accountancy offers a rejected application support service where we review your case, identify issues, and resubmit correctly with a 99% success rate.

Do I need to verify identity Companies House for each company?

No! You only need to verify identity Companies House once in your lifetime. The verification code you receive is valid for all your current and future company roles. Whether you're a director of one company or ten, a PSC, or a company secretary, you use the same verification code for all Companies House filings.

Is it free to verify identity Companies House?

The DIY option to verify identity Companies House is free, but takes 2-4 weeks and has limited support. ACSP services charge £99-£299 depending on urgency and location, but offer professional support, faster processing (24-48 hours express available), 99% first-time success rate, and are often the only option for international directors or complex cases.

Ready to Verify Identity Companies House?

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