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.
What Companies House identity verification means for you
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.
Who needs to verify their identity
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.
How to verify your identity
You have two main ways to verify. Both lead to the same result: a personal code you can use with Companies House.
Option 1: Verify directly 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:
- a photo ID document, such as a passport or photocard driving licence
- a smartphone that can scan your ID and take a photo or short video of your face
- an email address you can access
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.
Option 2: Verify through an authorised agent
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.
What happens after you've verified
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:
- New directors will need to verify and provide their code when they're appointed.
- Existing directors will need to confirm they're verified at a set point, which Companies House has linked to the company's confirmation statement. The confirmation statement is the regular filing where you check the company's details on the register are correct.
- PSCs will need to provide their code within a time window that Companies House sets out in its guidance.
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.
What happens if you don't verify
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.
What accountants and agents need to know
If you're an accountant or bookkeeper who files documents for clients, these changes affect you in two ways.
- Filing for clients. To keep filing on behalf of companies, you'll generally need to register as an ACSP with Companies House. To do this, your firm must be supervised for AML purposes.
- Helping clients verify. As an ACSP, you can verify your clients' identities for them. This can be a helpful service, especially for clients who find the app difficult or who have many companies.
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.
A simple checklist to get ready
- Work out which roles you hold: director, PSC, LLP member or someone who files for a company.
- Find your photo ID and check it's in date.
- Decide whether to verify yourself through GOV.UK One Login or through an agent such as your accountant.
- Verify your identity and save your personal code somewhere safe.
- Check the latest Companies House guidance to see when you need to link your code to your company.
- If you have co-directors or other PSCs, remind them to verify too.
In summary
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.