Key takeaways

  • You can verify your identity for Companies House in four ways: GOV.UK One Login with photo ID, One Login using bank details (UK residents), in person at a Post Office, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
  • Verifying online through Companies House is free. An ACSP, such as an accountant or solicitor, may charge a fee.
  • Accepted photo ID for the online route includes a biometric passport from any country and a UK photocard driving licence, full or provisional.
  • A UK driving licence that expired within the last 90 days is accepted, but an expired passport cannot be used in the GOV.UK One Login app.
  • When you verify you get an 11-character Companies House personal code, which belongs to you, not to your company.
  • Existing directors give their personal code in the company's next confirmation statement, and Companies House will not accept the statement until every director has verified.
  • In most cases you verify only once, however many companies you are involved with.

You verify your identity for Companies House online with GOV.UK One Login, in person at a Post Office, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) such as your accountant. Verifying online through Companies House is free; an ACSP may charge. When you pass, Companies House gives you a personal code, which you then link to each company role you hold.

Who has to verify?

Every company director and every person with significant control (PSC) must verify their identity. The legal requirement started on 18 November 2025, followed by a 12-month transition for existing directors and PSCs.

The same applies to director equivalents, such as LLP members, general partners and managing officers, and to directors of overseas companies registered in the UK. Companies House says people who file for a company, corporate directors and officers of corporate PSCs do not need to verify yet. Our November 2026 deadline guide covers the timetable.

Which verification route suits you?

Pick the route that matches the documents you have. Companies House lists these four options in its verify your identity guidance, last updated 30 April 2026.

RouteWhat you needCost
GOV.UK One Login with photo IDPhoto ID, your address and the year you moved inFree
One Login with bank detailsUK residents: NI number and security questionsFree
Post OfficePhoto ID details entered online first, then an in-person visitNo fee stated
ACSP (accountant, solicitor)Suitable ID documents from an approved listThe agent may charge

If you have a valid passport or UK photocard licence, use GOV.UK One Login. If you have no suitable photo ID but live in the UK, try the bank details route. If you cannot use the online service or live abroad, ask an ACSP, who can verify you from any country.

What photo ID is accepted?

GOV.UK One Login accepts these documents:

  • a biometric passport from any country (all UK passports issued after 2006 are biometric)
  • a UK photocard driving licence, full or provisional
  • a UK biometric residence permit (BRP)
  • a UK biometric residence card (BRC)
  • a UK Frontier Worker permit

Expired documents have strict limits. An expired passport cannot be used with the GOV.UK One Login app. A DVLA licence is accepted if it expired within the last 90 days, and a BRP, BRC or Frontier Worker permit within the last 18 months. Expired documents cannot be used for the Post Office route.

How to verify online: step by step

The online route runs through GOV.UK One Login. Follow these steps.

  1. Go to the Companies House guidance page and select “Verify your identity”.
  2. Sign in or create a GOV.UK One Login account. Use an email address only you use, because each email address can verify one identity.
  3. Answer the questions about the documents you have. The service picks the best route for you.
  4. Enter your photo ID details, or answer the security questions if you use the bank details route.
  5. Give your current address and the year you moved there.
  6. Get your personal code. Sign in to Companies House and open “Manage account” to see it. If you verified after 8 July 2026, it was also emailed to you.

If you choose the Post Office, GOV.UK usually emails your result within one day. See where to find your personal code if it does not arrive.

How to verify through an accountant

An ACSP can check your documents and tell Companies House you are verified. The agent must be registered with Companies House and supervised by a UK anti-money laundering body. Companies House publishes a list of ACSPs, last updated 2 November 2026, but it only includes agents who asked to be listed and it does not endorse any of them.

Your code is then emailed to the address the agent gave Companies House. Our guide to Authorised Corporate Service Providers explains what agents do and how to check one.

What to do after you verify

Verifying is only half the job: you must also link your code to each role.

  • Existing director: give your code in the company’s next confirmation statement. The company cannot file it until every director has verified.
  • New director: give your code on appointment or incorporation. See how to appoint a director.
  • PSC: give your code through the PSC service within your 14-day window. Our PSC identity verification guide sets out the dates.
  • Several companies: repeat the step for each company, using the same code.

What to do now

  1. Check your company’s confirmation statement date on the Companies House register.
  2. Verify now rather than in the week the statement is due.
  3. Save your personal code somewhere secure.
  4. Chase co-directors. One unverified director blocks the whole filing, and acting unverified is an offence. See fines and prosecutions.

Frequently asked questions

Is Companies House identity verification free?

Yes, verifying online through Companies House with GOV.UK One Login is free, and Companies House lists no fee for the Post Office route. An ACSP, such as an accountant or solicitor, may charge for verifying you.

How long does Companies House identity verification take?

Companies House does not publish a time for the online route. If you use the Post Office, GOV.UK usually emails the result within one day.

Can I verify my identity if I live outside the UK?

Yes. You can use GOV.UK One Login with a biometric passport from any country, or ask an ACSP, who can verify you wherever you live.

Do I need to verify separately for each company?

No. You verify once and get one personal code, then give that code for each company where you are a director or PSC.

Can I share an email address with my co-director?

No. Each email address can only be used to verify one identity, so each person needs their own GOV.UK One Login account.

Sources

Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.