Companies House identity verification: ACSP

UK Companies House Identity Verification

Remote identity verification for directors, PSCs and company officers.

Companies House Identity Verification_Ginkgo Advisory

Our legal consultant is registered with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider

We assist directors, persons with significant control and company officers with remote identity verification for Companies House purposes.

The verification is completed by video call. Once approved, you will receive your Companies House personal code.

From £138 per verification

Email: certify@ginkgoadvisory.com

KH is a practising solicitor based in London, admitted in England and Wales and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Companies House has registered KH as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. KH personally oversees Ginkgo Advisory’s identity verification work for directors, PSCs and company officers. He reviews each matter carefully and helps maintain accurate, consistent handling throughout the process.

KH Lam, LLB, LLM
Legal Consultant of Ginkgo Advisory

How our Companies House identity verification service works

Identity Document Review

We review your ID documents and confirm the information required for verification.

Remote Verification Call

You complete a video call with our authorised provider team for identity checks.

Companies House Personal Code

After successful verification, you receive your Companies House personal code.

Clear, professional and reliable service

I had a very positive experience with Ginkgo Advisory and would happily recommend them.

They were professional, responsive, and very easy to work with. What really stood out was that even at an early stage—before I had formally engaged the firm—they were already willing to join discussions, help us think through the process, and clarify requirements with the overseas party. This was extremely helpful, as the other side was not very clear about what documents were needed or in what format.

They helped bring structure and clarity to what could otherwise have been a confusing situation. Once everything was confirmed, the notarisation and Apostille work was handled efficiently and without unnecessary back-and-forth. Communication throughout was clear and timely, which made the whole process much less stressful.

Overall, a reliable, well-organised, and trustworthy service. I would definitely work with Ginkgo Advisory again.

Valen M.

Super friendly and helpful

Ginkgo were so helpful with me. They took what was a stressful situation and made everything so easy for me. They were really helpful through every step and were prompt with communication. 1000% would recommend them. I owe them so much!!

Rob B.

What is Companies House identity verification?

Companies House identity verification is a legal process that confirms a person is who they claim to be before they can take certain roles or carry out certain filings connected with a UK company. It forms part of the UK’s wider company law reform and anti-fraud measures.

Who needs to verify their identity for Companies House?

Identity verification applies to directors and people with significant control (PSCs). The wider Companies House reform programme also includes future identity verification requirements for some people who file on behalf of companies.

When did Companies House identity verification become mandatory?

Companies House identity verification became a legal requirement from 18 November 2025. That date marked the start of the live regime and the 12-month transition for existing companies, rather than a single one-day deadline for everyone.

Do existing directors need to verify their identity?

Yes. Existing directors must verify their identity and then provide their personal code through the relevant Companies House process, usually linked to the company’s next confirmation statement filing.

Do existing PSCs need to verify their identity?

Yes. Existing PSCs also need to verify their identity, but the timing depends on whether they are also a director. Companies House says PSCs have a defined compliance window, and some PSCs must provide their personal code through the specific PSC service rather than relying only on the confirmation statement.

If I am both a director and a PSC, do I need to verify twice?

No. In most cases, you only verify your identity once. But you may still need to provide your personal code separately for each role, because verifying once and linking that verification to each Companies House role are not the same thing.

What is a Companies House personal code?

A Companies House personal code is an 11-character code issued after a person successfully verifies their identity. It belongs to the individual, not to the company. The same code is used again when that person needs to confirm their verified status for multiple roles or multiple companies.

How do I get my Companies House personal code?

That depends on how you verified. If you verified through GOV.UK One Login, you can usually view your code in your Companies House account. If you verified through an ACSP, Companies House sends the code to the email address provided during the verification process.

Can I use the same personal code for more than one company?

Yes. The personal code is tied to the person, not to a specific company. If you hold roles across multiple companies, you usually use the same code each time you need to confirm your verified identity.

How can a person verify their identity for Companies House?

There are different routes. A person can verify directly through GOV.UK One Login, use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), or in some cases use the Post Office route within the GOV.UK process. The correct route depends on the person’s documents, circumstances, and whether they are using a third party.

What is an ACSP?

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) is a business authorised to carry out identity verification for Companies House and submit the required verification statement. Companies House also refers to this as an authorised agent.

Can an accountant, solicitor or formation agent verify identity as an ACSP?

Yes, if that business is properly registered as an ACSP and meets the Companies House standard. But being a professional firm alone is not enough. The business must comply with the identity verification rules and retain the required evidence and records.

Can Companies House identity verification be completed remotely?

Yes. Companies House expressly says the checks can be completed remotely or in person. An ACSP can also use commercial identity verification technology, provided the full required standard is met and the ACSP can explain and evidence why the process is appropriate.

What documents are needed for Companies House identity verification?

The documents depend on the route used. Under the Companies House standard, some people can verify with one qualifying photo ID using IDVT, while others using manual checks will need two documents, usually from the specified Group A and Group B lists. The official guidance includes passports, photocard driving licences, biometric residence documents, and certain proof-of-address style documents such as utility bills or bank statements in the relevant route.

Can expired identity documents be used?

Usually, expired documents cannot be used unless the official guidance specifically allows an exception. For example, some passports and certain UK biometric residence documents may still be accepted within a limited expiry period depending on the route and the technology used.

What is the difference between Option 1 and Option 2 in the Companies House identity verification standard?

Option 1 is technology-led and uses identification document validation technology (IDVT) to validate the document. Option 2 is used where documents are checked by a person, either remotely or in person, and requires a different document combination and a process sufficient to validate the documents provided.

If an ACSP uses an identity app or verification platform, is that enough on its own?

Not necessarily. Companies House says that if an ACSP uses a commercial provider or platform, the ACSP must still be satisfied that all required steps in the identity verification standard have been completed. If the platform only completes part of the standard, the ACSP must complete the rest.

Do ACSPs need to keep records of identity checks?

Yes. Companies House requires records to be kept for 7 years from the date the identity checks are completed. That includes copies of documents checked, evidence of the checks completed, and records of failed attempts.

Do ACSPs have to keep failed verification records too?

Yes. The official standard says records of failed verification attempts must also be retained for 7 years.

Do ACSPs send copies of ID documents to Companies House?

No, not usually. The ACSP does not normally upload the ID documents themselves when confirming a verification. But Companies House requires information about the documents used, such as reference numbers, expiry dates, and issuing country where relevant.

What happens if the personal details linked to the code do not match Companies House records?

The personal code may not connect properly to the Companies House record. This can happen if the date of birth is wrong on the register, the personal code was entered incorrectly, or the ACSP submitted incorrect personal details during verification.

What if I verified through an ACSP but never received my personal code?

Companies House says you should first contact the ACSP and check which email address was used. If the wrong email address was provided, the ACSP may need to contact Companies House.

What if my Companies House personal code has been compromised?

Companies House says it can issue a replacement code and cancel the previous one if you think the code has been shared or compromised.

Can overseas directors or overseas PSCs verify their identity?

Yes. Overseas individuals can verify using the available Companies House routes, depending on the type of identity document they hold and whether the direct digital route works for them. Companies House guidance also points people to ACSPs where needed.

If I do not live in the UK, do I need a UK-issued document?

Not always, but under the manual document-checking route, Companies House says a person who does not live in the UK must provide at least one government-issued document.

Do PSCs who are not directors have different deadlines?

Yes. Companies House says the timing is different for PSCs who are not also directors. In the PSC guidance, Companies House explains that non-director PSCs generally have a specific 14-day window linked to their birth month, while PSCs who are also directors may have a window linked to the company’s confirmation statement cycle.

Can a PSC provide the code at any time in advance?

Not always. Companies House guidance says some PSCs can only provide their personal code once their official 14-day period has started.

Is there an extension if a PSC cannot provide the code in time?

Yes. Companies House has said that, in some cases, a 14-day extension can be requested, but the request must be made within the permitted period and before the deadline has passed.

How can I check if a director or PSC is already verified on Companies House?

Companies House has said the public register can show whether a role’s verification requirements are complete. Guidance and Companies House responses indicate that this can be checked through the company’s record and relevant people sections.

What happens if identity verification is not completed on time?

The consequences can be serious. Companies House guidance links verification to legal compliance, company filings, and role eligibility, and the wider guidance collection includes Companies House’s approach to non-compliance with mandatory identity verification.

Does a person need to verify every year?

In most cases, no. Companies House states that identity is usually verified once, and the same personal code is then used when needed for future filings or appointments unless Companies House tells the person to verify again.

Is Companies House verification the same as AML or KYC for all legal purposes?

No. Companies House verification serves a Companies House legal and registry function. Whether another business, regulated firm, bank, investor or compliance team accepts it for its own AML, KYC or due diligence purposes is a separate question and may require its own risk-based assessment. Companies House has publicly indicated it does not give advice on whether others should rely on the published verification status for their own AML decisions.

Can a company have no PSC?

Yes, in some cases. Companies House has publicly explained that not every company necessarily has a PSC, but the company’s PSC position must still be properly stated on the register through the correct PSC statement rather than left blank.

Do corporate PSCs or relevant legal entities (RLEs) currently have the same identity verification requirement?

Not in the same way as individual PSCs. Companies House has publicly stated there are currently no identity verification requirements for RLEs, while future reforms may cover some related corporate roles later.

Why is Companies House identity verification important?

The official purpose is to improve the accuracy and traceability of the register, make it harder to use fake identities in UK companies, and support anti-fraud and anti-economic-crime measures.