Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity with Companies House.
This includes directors and PSCs of flat management companies, resident management companies (RMCs) and right-to-manage (RTM) companies.
Identity verification will improve transparency about who is running, owning and controlling UK companies, and support efforts to tackle economic crime.
Below are our top 10 tips to help you verify your identity smoothly and on time.
1. Understand the 2-step process
Identity verification happens in two separate stages.
Step 1: Verify your identity
You need to verify your identity as an individual, not a company, either online using GOV.UK OneLogin or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Step 2: Link your personal code to your company role(s)
You must then provide your personal code to Companies House for each role you hold. For example, if you are both a director and a PSC, or involved in multiple companies, you’ll need to complete step 2 separately for each role.
Verification deadlines vary, so check the Companies House register to confirm when your code must be provided for each role. Guidance is also available to help you determine whether you or others are PSCs of your company.
2. Check your Companies House details before you start
Before beginning verification, check that Companies House holds the correct details for you. Data mismatches between your identity documents and the register, such as an incorrect date of birth, will prevent you from being able to complete step 2 later.
If anything is incorrect, you’ll need to update your details and wait for the changes to be processed, before you provide your verification details. Specific guidance is available for correcting your date of birth with Companies House.
3. Choose how you want to verify
You can verify your identity in one of two ways:
- Using the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service.
This free online service uses GOV.UK One Login to verify your identity.
- Using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSPs).
ACSPs are third-party individuals or organisations that undertake Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervised activity, such as an account or solicitor. Using an ACSP can be helpful if you’re less confident online or already work with a third-party professional. A public list is available to help you find an authorised agent if needed.
4. Set up a GOV.UK One Login account
To verify your identity online, you will need a GOV.UK One Login account. Each account can only be linked to one email address.
Even if you verify through an ACSP, having a GOV.UK One Login account can still be useful later for saving your personal code – although it’s not mandatory. Make sure the email address you use is the same as the address provided by the ACSP when verifying your identity.
5. Use your personal details when verifying
Verification confirms your identity as an individual, not your company role.
When completing the process, always enter your personal information rather than company details.
6. Let the service guide you – it’s designed to help
GOV.UK One Login will ask a few simple questions and guide you to the most suitable verification method for you. The best option will depend on your device and the type of ID you have.
The three options include:
- Verify using the GOV.UK One Login app
- Verify by answering security questions online
- To verify at a Post Office – you’ll need to enter details from your photo ID on GOV.UK first and then go to a Post Office that offers ‘in branch verification’.
7. Check your device is compatible
If you’re using the GOV.UK One Login app, check your device meets the minimum requirements:
- iPhone: iOS 14 or later
- iPhone 6s or higher if using a driving license to verify
- iPhone 7 or newer for other ID types
- Android: version 10 or later
Doing this ahead of time helps avoid last-minute technical issues.
8. Know where to find your personal code
After you have verified your identity, you’ll receive a personal code.
If you verified using GOV.UK OneLogin, your code will appear on the final screen of the process. Make sure you click continue until it’s shown. You will also be able to view your personal code at any time in that ‘manage account’ section of your Companies House account.
If you verified using an ACSP, your personal code will be emailed to the email address they provided. If you can’t find the email, they can contact us to request it be re-sent.
9. Check when you need to provide your personal code
When you need to provide your personal code depends on your role:
- If you are a director or equivalent – provide your personal code as part of your company’s next confirmation statement or when forming a new company.
- If you are both a director and a PSC of the same company – as a PSC, provide your code using a separate service within 14 days of your company’s confirmation statement date.
- If you are a PSC but not a director of the same company – provide your personal code within the first 14 days of your birth month.
- New PSCs – provide your code when you’re added to the Companies House register, or within a 14 days.
Remember, if you are a PSC you must provide your code separately from your role as a director, if you hold both roles. It must be provided within the 14-day period allocated to you, it can’t be done earlier.
10. Ask for help if you need it
If you’re not confident using GOV.UK OneLogin or don’t have access to a suitable device, you can ask someone to help you by:
- Letting you use their phone or computer
- Helping you download and use the app
- Assisting with scanning your ID and taking photos
Find out more about how someone can help you use GO.UK OneLogin.
You can also read advice from AbilityNet on how to make your device easier to use. For example, learn how to change the background colour or text size.
For more information and detailed guidance on verifying your identity, go to Identity verification for Companies House – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
