If you run a limited company, or you're thinking of setting one up, Companies House is changing how it checks who is behind UK companies. Directors, and some other people linked to a company, now need to prove who they are. For most people this is a one-off check that takes a short while online. This guide explains who needs to do it, how it works and what to do next.
Companies House is the government body that keeps the public register of UK companies. Until recently, anyone could be named as a company director without any real check on who they were. That made it easier for people to set up companies using false or stolen identities.
To tackle this, the law now requires certain people to verify their identity with Companies House. Once you've done this, you get a unique personal code. You'll use this code to link your verified identity to any company you're involved with.
You only need to verify once. Your personal code then works for every company you're connected to, now and in the future.
The changes come from the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which gave Companies House new powers to improve the accuracy of its register. Companies House is bringing the requirements in gradually, so the exact timing depends on your role and whether you're a new or existing director.
The rules focus on the people who run or control a company, and those who file information with Companies House. Here's a simple overview.
| Role | Do they need to verify? | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Company directors | Yes | Every director, including those of small or dormant companies, needs to verify. |
| People with significant control (PSCs) | Yes | These are people who own or control a company, for example by holding a large share of it. |
| Members of a limited liability partnership (LLP) | Yes | Designated members and those treated like directors of an LLP need to verify. |
| People filing on behalf of a company | Yes | Anyone submitting documents to Companies House will need to be verified, or to file through an authorised agent. |
| Sole traders | No | Sole traders aren't registered at Companies House, so this doesn't apply unless you're also a company director. |
| Landlords who own property personally | No | If you hold property in your own name, you're not affected. If you use a limited company, its directors and PSCs are. |
So if you're a landlord who has put your properties into a limited company, sometimes called a special purpose vehicle, you will need to verify as a director and probably as a PSC too. The good news is that you only do the check once, even if you hold both roles.
You have two main ways to verify. Both lead to the same result: a personal code you can use with Companies House.
You can verify yourself online using GOV.UK One Login, the government's sign-in service. Most people do this with the GOV.UK ID Check app on a smartphone. You'll usually need:
If you can't use the app, or you don't have suitable photo ID, Companies House offers other routes. Check the latest guidance on the Companies House pages on GOV.UK to see which options suit you.
You can also ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify you. An ACSP is a firm, such as an accountant or company formation agent, that has registered with Companies House and is supervised for anti-money laundering (AML). AML rules are the checks businesses must carry out to stop criminals moving money through them.
The ACSP checks your identity using their own processes and then confirms it to Companies House. You'll still get your own personal code.
| Point to consider | Verify directly | Use an authorised agent (ACSP) |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the check | You, through GOV.UK One Login | A registered firm such as your accountant |
| Cost | Free to use | The firm may charge a fee for the service |
| Best for | People comfortable using a smartphone app with standard photo ID | People who want support, or who find the app route difficult |
| Result | A personal code | A personal code |
Heads up - Be wary of unexpected emails or calls offering to "verify you" for a fee. Only use the official GOV.UK service or an agent you already know and trust. Companies House publishes guidance on spotting scams.
Once you've verified, you'll receive your personal code. Keep it somewhere safe, just as you would your Unique Taxpayer Reference from HMRC.
You then use the code to link your verified identity to your company. How and when you do this depends on your situation:
Your name and other public details stay on the register as before. Companies House has said that the information you use to verify, such as your ID document, won't be shown publicly.
We know this is the part that can cause worry, so let's be clear and calm about it. Verification is a legal requirement, not a suggestion. If a director doesn't verify when they should, both the director and the company could be committing an offence. Companies House may also mark the register to show that someone hasn't verified, which could affect how banks, lenders and customers see your company.
Heads up - If you're a director and aren't sure whether you've verified, or when you need to, check now rather than waiting. It's much easier to sort out early than to fix things later.
The simplest way to avoid any problems is to verify as soon as you can. For most people it's a straightforward online process.
If you're an accountant or bookkeeper who files documents for clients, these changes affect you in two ways.
It's worth talking to your clients early. Many directors of small companies, especially those who set up a company for a property portfolio or a side business, may not know they need to act. A short email explaining the change can save them stress later.
Companies House identity verification is designed to make the public register more reliable and to make it harder for criminals to misuse UK companies. If you're a director, a person with significant control or you file for a company, you'll need to verify once and use your personal code going forward. Sole traders and landlords who own property in their own name aren't affected.
Companies House is phasing these rules in, so keep an eye on the official guidance for the timings that apply to you. And if you'd like a hand working out what you need to do, or you'd rather someone checked things over with you, we're here to help.