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Identity verification has become law since 18 November 2025. That date marked the start of a 12-month transition period rather than a single deadline.
This guide explains who must verify, how to do it, and what to do with your personal code once you have it.
Why has Companies House introduced identity verification?
The measure is designed to deter people who intend to use companies for illegal purposes. It aims to reduce fraud and improve the accuracy of information on the public register. It forms part of the wider reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Who needs to verify their identity?
You must verify if you are a director, an equivalent of a director (such as an LLP member or general partner), a director of an overseas company registered in the UK, or a person with significant control (PSC).
In most cases, you only need to verify once. You must not verify again unless Companies House tells you to. If you are a director of several companies, the same personal code covers every appointment.
How to verify your identity
There are two routes. Both lead to the same result: a Companies House personal code.
Option 1: Verify yourself on GOV.UK
The ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service uses GOV.UK One Login and is free of charge. Search for “Verify your identity for Companies House” on GOV.UK to start.
You will need your current address, the year you moved in, and a GOV.UK One Login account. If other people share your email address, they will need to create their own login. An email address can only be used once to verify an identity. We have created a step-by-step guide, which can be found here: Companies House ID Verification Step-by-Step Guide.
GOV.UK One Login will ask some simple questions to find the best route for you. Depending on your answers, you can verify with an app, by answering security questions online, or in person at a participating Post Office.
If you live in the UK and lack suitable photo ID, the service may allow you to verify using bank or building society details. You will then need your National Insurance number and to answer security questions.
Option 2: Ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify you
You can ask an ACSP, such as an accountant or solicitor, to verify your identity on your behalf. ACSPs are also known as Companies House authorised agents.
Your agent must be registered with Companies House and supervised by a UK anti-money laundering body. You will need to provide documents from an approved list as evidence of your identity, and the agent may charge a fee.
Jermyn & Co is registered as an ACSP. We can complete the verification for you with a small fee, which is often the simplest option if you would rather not manage the online process yourself. It also helps if you are based overseas or have struggled with the GOV.UK app.
What is a Companies House personal code?
A personal code is an 11-character code issued once your identity has been verified. It is personal to you, not to your company.
Keep it secure, in the same way you would protect your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for HMRC. You can share it with people who file on your behalf, such as your accountant.
Where to find your personal code
If you verified through GOV.UK One Login, sign in to Companies House and go to ‘Manage account’. Use the same email address you used when verifying. If you verified after 8 July 2026, the code was also emailed to you.
If an ACSP verified you, Companies House sent the code to the email address your agent provided. Companies House recommends saving the code to a Companies House account so you can access it whenever needed.
How to submit your personal code
Verifying is only half the job. You must also connect your verified identity to each role you hold on the register.
Directors
If you are an existing director, provide your personal code in your company’s next confirmation statement filing. If you are a director of more than one company, you must do this for each company.
New directors provide the code as part of their appointment filing, or when incorporating a company. Your company cannot file its confirmation statement unless all its directors are verified.
Persons with significant control (PSCs)
PSCs provide their code using the ‘Provide identity verification details for a PSC’ service on GOV.UK. Every PSC has a 14-day window in which to do this. The dates of your window depend on your situation:
- If you are both a director and a PSC of the same company, you must provide the code separately for each role. Your PSC window starts the day after the company’s confirmation statement date. Filing the confirmation statement early does not change these dates.
- If you are a PSC but not a director, provide your code within the first 14 days of your birth month. For example, a 22 January birthday means your window opens on 1 January.
- If you became a PSC after 18 November 2025, provide the code when first added to the register, or within 14 days.
You can check your 14-day period on the Companies House register.
If your code will not connect
A mismatch usually means the code was entered incorrectly, your date of birth is wrong on the register, or an ACSP submitted incorrect details. Check the date of birth held for you and correct it before trying again.
When will you need your personal code?
You will need it when filing a confirmation statement, when appointed as a director, and when you become a PSC. In future, you may also need it to file on behalf of a company.
What happens if you do not verify?
Failing to comply on time may be an offence. You could face prosecution and a fine through the courts, or a financial penalty. Companies House will also publish a note against your name on the public register. You will be unable to be appointed as a director, register a new company, or register as an ACSP.
How Jermyn & Co can help
We can verify your identity as an ACSP, obtain your personal code, and submit it to Companies House for each role you hold. We can also make sure your confirmation statement is filed with every director’s code in place. If you would like support, contact our team to arrange your verification.
Sources: GOV.UK guidance on verifying your identity for Companies House, when you need to verify, and Companies House personal codes (last updated June–July 2026).