Australian nationals who act as directors or people with significant control, known as PSCs, of UK companies must complete Companies House identity verification by the deadline that applies to each role.

After you verify your identity, Companies House gives you an 11-character personal code. The code belongs to you rather than to a specific company. You can use the same code for every UK company where you act as a director or PSC. However, you must connect it separately to each company role.

Important Point for Australian Nationals

For most Australian directors and PSCs, a valid Australian biometric passport provides the clearest identity document.

Australia does not appear under a national identity card category on PRADO. PRADO’s current Australia page lists passports, travel documents and one specific driving licence model. It does not list Medicare cards, Australian proof-of-age cards, state photo cards or citizenship certificates.

Australian driving licences also need careful treatment. Australia’s states and territories regulate and issue their own driving licences. However, PRADO currently lists only one Australian driving licence: the Queensland Government Driver Licence, document reference AUS-FO-01001.

This means you should not assume that every Australian driving licence qualifies as Group A evidence under the PRADO route.

Direct answer: For most Australian nationals, the safest person-led document combination is an Australian passport plus an acceptable bank statement, utility bill, mortgage statement or other Group B document. An Australian passport plus a Queensland driving licence may also work where the physical licence matches the model listed on PRADO.

Who Must Complete Companies House Identity Verification?

The requirement applies to Australian nationals who are:

• directors of UK limited companies;
• becoming directors of UK companies;
• registered as PSCs;
• becoming PSCs of existing companies;
• forming UK companies in which they will act as directors or PSCs; or
• applying to register as Companies House authorised agents.

Mandatory identity verification started on 18 November 2025. Companies House introduced it through a 12-month transition period rather than one universal deadline for every existing director and PSC.

Existing directors normally provide their personal codes through their companies’ next confirmation statements. New directors must provide the code during incorporation or as part of their appointment filings.

PSCs follow separate 14-day compliance periods. The correct period depends on whether the person also acts as a director and when Companies House first recorded the PSC.

How Can Australian Nationals Verify Their Identity?

Australian nationals can use one of two main routes.

1. Verify Through GOV.UK One Login

Companies House offers a free direct verification service through GOV.UK One Login.

Depending on your documents and circumstances, the service may ask you to:

• use the GOV.UK One Login app;
• answer security questions online; or
• attend a participating UK Post Office.

The available route depends on your device, documents and access to relevant records.

Using an Australian Passport

An Australian national can normally try the GOV.UK One Login app with a valid biometric passport.

The app accepts a non-UK passport that contains a biometric chip. You must scan the passport’s biodata page and electronic chip. You must also complete a facial comparison.

The app does not accept an expired passport. Therefore, you will need a current Australian biometric passport for this route.

Australia introduced the current R Series passport in September 2022. PRADO lists this ordinary passport under reference AUS-AO-06001, first issued on 7 September 2022. Earlier P Series passports remain valid until their individual expiry dates.

Can You Use an Australian Driving Licence in the App?

No. The GOV.UK One Login app accepts a UK photocard driving licence, but it does not list Australian driving licences.

The Post Office route accepts UK and EU photocard driving licences. It does not list Australian state or territory driving licences.

A PRADO-listed Queensland driving licence may still work through a person-led ACSP check.

Can You Use an Australian Passport at a UK Post Office?

Potentially, yes.

The Post Office route accepts non-UK passports. You must first begin the Companies House identity verification service online. The system will tell you whether the Post Office route is available.

You must take the original passport and your Post Office customer letter to the appointment. A photocopy, scan or digital image will not work.

This route may suit Australian nationals who live in the UK. It usually offers less convenience to someone who lives in Australia and does not plan to travel to the UK.

2. Verify Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider, or ACSP, can verify a client’s identity for Companies House.

ACSPs commonly include regulated solicitors, accountants and company service providers. Companies House permits an ACSP to complete the identity checks remotely or in person.

The ACSP must follow every step in the Companies House identity verification standard. It must also decide whether the documents are genuine and whether the identity belongs to the applicant.

The ACSP route may suit an Australian director or PSC who:

• lives in Australia or another country outside the UK;
• cannot complete GOV.UK One Login verification;
• does not have a compatible smartphone;
• cannot scan the Australian passport chip;
• wants to use a Queensland driving licence;
• only holds a driving licence from another Australian state;
• needs help selecting a Group B document;
• has changed their name after marriage;
• uses a single-word or non-Western name;
• has different middle names on separate documents; or
• wants remote verification by video call.

How Many Documents Do You Need?

The number of documents depends on how the ACSP completes the check.

Option 1: Technology-Led Verification

One eligible photographic identity document may be enough where the ACSP uses suitable identification document validation technology, known as IDVT.

The technology must validate the document’s cryptographic and physical security features.

Companies House permits these documents under Option 1:

• a biometric or machine-readable passport;
• a UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or EU photocard driving licence;
• a biometric identity card from the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein;
• certain UK biometric immigration documents;
• a UK Frontier Worker permit; or
• an eVisa.

For an Australian national, the most relevant Option 1 document is usually an Australian biometric or machine-readable passport.

An Australian driving licence does not qualify through the Option 1 driving licence category. That category only covers licences from the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and EU.

A biometric or machine-readable passport may be up to six months expired under Option 1 if the technology can still validate its cryptographic features. GOV.UK One Login follows different rules and does not accept an expired passport through its app.

Option 2: Person-Led Verification

A trained person may inspect the documents remotely by video call or examine them in person.

Under this route, you must provide:

• two Group A photographic identity documents; or
• one Group A photographic identity document and one Group B supporting document.

Anyone who lives outside the UK must provide at least one government-issued document.

For many Australian nationals, the practical combination will be:

• one Australian passport from Group A; and
• one bank statement, utility bill, mortgage statement, birth certificate, marriage certificate or other suitable document from Group B.

Group A Photographic ID for Australian Nationals

1. Australian Passport

An Australian passport normally provides the clearest Group A identity document.

PRADO lists the current Australian ordinary passport as:

• AUS-AO-06001;
• an ordinary Australian passport;
• first issued on 7 September 2022; and
• a currently valid document model.

The current passport contains an integrated biodata card, facial images and several physical and electronic security features.

Companies House allows a passport that expired within the previous 18 months under a person-led Option 2 check.

However, you cannot use a passport that:

• has been cancelled;
• has been replaced with a newer passport;
• contains cancellation marks;
• has a cut or clipped corner; or
• cannot be validated satisfactorily.

A current Australian passport will usually make the process easier.

2. Queensland Government Driving Licence

A physical Queensland Government driving licence may provide Group A photographic evidence during a person-led Option 2 check.

PRADO currently lists the licence as:

• AUS-FO-01001;
• Driver Licence – Queensland Government;
• first issued on 1 January 2011;
• a physical card containing a photograph; and
• a document that establishes the holder’s identity within Australia.

The licence does not, by itself, prove Australian nationality.

Companies House includes another type of photographic ID listed on PRADO within Group A. A Queensland licence may therefore qualify through this category.

The ACSP must still review the exact card and confirm:

• that it matches the PRADO-listed model;
• that the licence remains valid;
• that the photograph matches the applicant;
• that the document has not been replaced;
• that the licence shows no signs of alteration; and
• that its personal details match the other documents.

Send clear images of both the front and reverse before the video appointment.

For a PRADO-based check, prepare the original physical card. Do not rely only on a digital Queensland licence or a screenshot from a mobile application.

What About Driving Licences From Other Australian States and Territories?

Australian state and territory governments regulate and issue light-vehicle driving licences. This means Australia has several separate licence systems rather than one national driving licence.

As of 29 July 2026, PRADO’s Australia page lists only the Queensland Government driving licence. It does not show separate driving licence entries for:

• New South Wales;
• Victoria;
• Western Australia;
• South Australia;
• Tasmania;
• the Australian Capital Territory; or
• the Northern Territory.

A licence from one of these jurisdictions may be genuine and widely accepted within Australia. However, that does not automatically make it Group A evidence under the Companies House standard.

Companies House expressly permits UK and EU photocard driving licences. For other countries, the document normally needs to fall within another listed category, such as photographic ID listed on PRADO.

Therefore:

Do not rely on a New South Wales, Victorian, Western Australian, South Australian, Tasmanian, ACT or Northern Territory driving licence as one of the two required documents without checking the current Companies House and PRADO position first.

An ACSP may still review such a licence as extra supporting evidence. However, you should prepare an Australian passport and a suitable Group B document for the formal document combination.

Can You Use an Australian Learner or Provisional Licence?

Do not assume that an Australian learner permit or provisional licence qualifies.

The Companies House rules do not generally accept Australian licences merely because they contain a photograph. For an Australian licence to qualify through the PRADO route, the exact physical document should match a PRADO-listed model.

A Queensland learner or provisional licence may require separate review. Licences from other states should not replace a required Group A document unless the published document lists support their use.

3. Eligible UK-Issued Photographic Documents

Australian nationals who live in the UK may also hold another Group A document.

Examples include:

• a UK photocard driving licence;
• a UK biometric residence card;
• a qualifying UK biometric residence permit;
• a UK Frontier Worker permit;
• a photographic government-issued work permit;
• a photographic immigration document; or
• a photographic visa.

The ACSP must confirm that the document falls within the current Companies House rules and remains suitable for validation.

Group B Supporting Documents

You can use one Group B document where you only have one suitable Group A photographic document.

Companies House Group B documents include:

• a birth or adoption certificate;
• a marriage or civil partnership certificate;
• a non-photographic immigration document;
• a non-photographic visa;
• a non-photographic work permit;
• a bank or building society statement;
• a mortgage statement showing the current address;
• a utility bill showing the current address;
• an insurance policy showing the current address;
• a UK council tax statement; or
• a qualifying UK local-authority or social-housing rental agreement.

An Australian bank statement, mortgage statement, utility bill or civil-status certificate may work where the document:

• belongs to the applicant;
• comes from a genuine organisation;
• clearly shows the relevant personal details;
• supports the stated identity or current address;
• contains no signs of alteration; and
• provides credible evidence of real activity.

Companies House also tells ACSPs to request more evidence where the main documents do not confirm the applicant’s previous 12 months of address history or a change of name.

Australian Birth Certificates

An Australian birth certificate may provide Group B evidence.

However, Australia issues several forms of birth record. Official UK guidance distinguishes between:

• a full birth certificate;
• an extract birth certificate;
• a commemorative certificate; and
• a birth card.

The full birth certificate contains the strongest civil-registration information. Extracts, commemorative certificates and birth cards contain less information and should not automatically be treated as equivalent to the full certificate.

For Companies House verification, use a standard or full birth certificate issued by the relevant state or territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages wherever possible.

Do not rely on:

• a hospital birth registration statement;
• a decorative or commemorative certificate;
• a birth card;
• an unofficial extract; or
• a screenshot from an online registry account.

Send the complete document for review before the verification appointment.

Australian Marriage Certificates

An Australian marriage certificate may provide Group B evidence. It can also help connect a birth surname to a married surname.

Australia issues different forms of marriage evidence. Official guidance distinguishes a standard marriage certificate issued through the civil registration system from an extract or commemorative certificate.

For a stronger document set, use the standard marriage certificate issued by the relevant Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Do not assume that a decorative certificate signed by the celebrant will provide the same evidence as the official registry certificate.

Australian Bank Statements

An Australian bank statement can provide Group B evidence.

The statement should:

• show the applicant’s full name;
• come from an identifiable bank or financial institution;
• display genuine account activity;
• remain clear and complete;
• show no signs of editing; and
• support the address information where you rely on it for that purpose.

A statement downloaded directly from online banking may work. However, it should show the bank’s name, the applicant’s details, the statement date and the relevant account information.

Australian Utility Bills

A utility bill can provide Group B evidence where it shows the applicant’s current address.

Examples may include:

• electricity bills;
• gas bills;
• water bills;
• fixed-line telephone bills; or
• other genuine household utility accounts.

Companies House expressly requires a utility bill used under Group B to relate to the person’s current address.

The verifier must be able to identify the provider and confirm that the bill belongs to the applicant.

Mortgage Statements and Insurance Policies

A mortgage statement may provide Group B evidence where it shows the applicant’s current residential address.

An insurance policy may also qualify where it displays the current address.

The document should come from a genuine lender or insurer and contain enough information for the ACSP to validate it.

Australian Documents You Should Not Rely On

Medicare Card

Do not rely on a Medicare card as one of the required Companies House documents.

Australian agencies may use Medicare cards within their own identity-checking systems. However, Companies House does not include a foreign healthcare card in its Group A or Group B document lists.

A Medicare card may provide additional background information, but it should not replace an accepted passport, PRADO-listed photographic document or Group B document.

Australian Citizenship Certificate

An Australian citizenship certificate can prove citizenship in other Australian processes. However, Companies House does not include a foreign citizenship certificate in its published Group A or Group B lists.

You may provide it as additional evidence where nationality or name history needs explanation. Do not use it as a substitute for one of the two required documents.

Australian Proof-of-Age Card or Photo Card

Australian state and territory governments issue proof-of-age cards and general photo cards. Australian government bodies may accept these documents for their own services.

However, PRADO does not currently list an Australian proof-of-age card or state photo card. Companies House also limits its PASS card category to UK-accredited PASS cards.

Therefore, do not rely on documents such as:

• a New South Wales Photo Card;
• a Victorian Proof of Age Card;
• a Queensland Adult Proof of Age Card;
• a Western Australian Photo Card;
• a South Australian Proof of Age Card;
• a Tasmanian Personal Information Card;
• an ACT Proof of Identity card; or
• a Northern Territory Evidence of Age Card.

The ACSP may inspect one as additional evidence. It should not replace a required Group A or Group B document under the current published standard.

Digital Driving Licence

Australian states increasingly offer digital driving licences. However, PRADO’s Australian licence entry describes a physical Queensland card and its visible security features.

Do not rely on a digital licence, application screen, QR code or screenshot as the only driving licence evidence.

Where a Queensland licence forms part of the document combination, provide the original physical card.

myGov or Digital Identity Screens

A myGov account, digital identity profile, online government account or mobile application screen does not replace an accepted identity document.

The Companies House standard requires specific evidence from the published document categories.

Recommended Document Combinations

Australian Passport and Queensland Driving Licence

This combination may provide two Group A photographic documents for a person-led Option 2 check.

The passport provides identity and nationality evidence. The physical Queensland licence may provide a second Group A document where it matches the PRADO-listed model.

Both documents should show consistent names and dates of birth.

Australian Passport and Bank Statement

This combination provides one Group A document and one Group B document.

It will often offer the clearest national route because it does not depend on which Australian state or territory issued the applicant’s driving licence.

The statement should show the applicant’s full name and genuine account activity.

Australian Passport and Utility Bill

A utility bill may provide the second document where it clearly shows the applicant’s current home address.

The verifier must be able to identify the provider and confirm that the document appears genuine.

Australian Passport and Mortgage Statement

This combination may work where the mortgage statement clearly shows the applicant’s current residential address.

Australian Passport and Full Birth Certificate

A standard or full Australian birth certificate may provide Group B evidence.

This combination can also help where the passport does not show all the information needed to understand the person’s name history.

Australian Passport and Standard Marriage Certificate

A registry-issued marriage certificate may provide Group B evidence.

It can also connect a birth surname, married surname or double-barrelled surname.

Australian Passport and UK Photocard Driving Licence

An Australian national who lives in the UK may use a valid UK photocard driving licence as the second Group A document.

This combination can provide two strong photographic identity documents.

Australian Passport and UK Immigration Document

A suitable photographic UK immigration document may also provide a second Group A document.

The exact document must fall within the Companies House list and remain valid under the applicable rules.

Australian Names, Middle Names and Changes of Name

Australian naming practices vary because Australians come from many cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

For people with Western naming traditions, a name may contain:

• one or more forenames;
• one surname;
• a combined surname; or
• a double-barrelled surname.

Some Australians from non-Western cultural backgrounds may have:

• a single-word name;
• several words without a separate family name;
• a family name shown first;
• patronymic elements; or
• other family identifiers.

The ACSP should not assume that every Australian name follows a forename-middle-name-surname structure.

Middle Names and Initials

Australian documents may show middle names differently.

For example:

• the passport may show every middle name;
• the driving licence may show only an initial;
• a bank statement may omit a middle name;
• Companies House may record one middle name but not another; or
• a director may use a shortened business name.

A missing middle name does not automatically mean that the records belong to different people. However, the complete document set must support one consistent identity.

Before verification, check:

• every forename;
• all middle names;
• the exact surname;
• initials;
• spaces and hyphens;
• apostrophes;
• former names;
• married names;
• the date of birth; and
• the details recorded at Companies House.

Married and Double-Barrelled Surnames

Australian adults may adopt a spouse’s surname, combine surnames with or without a hyphen, or return to the surname shown on their birth certificate.

Australian states also allow formal registered name changes in many circumstances.

Where different documents show different names, provide suitable linking evidence. This may include:

• a standard marriage certificate;
• a registered change-of-name certificate;
• an amended birth certificate;
• a divorce document;
• a deed poll or earlier formal name-change record; or
• another official document that explains the change.

A change-of-name certificate can support the identity history. However, it does not automatically replace one of the required Group A or Group B documents.

Single-Word Names

Some Australian citizens may legally use a single-word name.

Companies House forms and electronic systems may divide that name differently from the Australian passport. The applicant should send the passport and Companies House record for review before verification.

The ACSP may need to confirm how the name appears in:

• the passport’s visible fields;
• the machine-readable zone;
• the Companies House register;
• bank records; and
• other official documents.

Check Your Date of Birth Before Verification

Your date of birth must match the Companies House record.

Problems can arise where:

• someone enters the personal code incorrectly;
• Companies House holds the wrong date of birth;
• the ACSP submits incorrect personal information; or
• different documents contain inconsistent details.

Companies House warns that a mismatch may prevent the personal code from connecting to a director or PSC role. Corrections can take up to 20 working days, so check the public register early.

Correct any error before trying to connect the code to your role.

Same-Day Remote Verification by Video Call

Our Legal Consultant is registered with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.

Through our partner solicitor, we can arrange remote Companies House identity verification by video call for Australian directors and PSCs.

Same-day verification and submission may be available where:

• we review and approve the documents in advance;
• the applicant provides all required personal information;
• the document combination meets the Companies House standard;
• the applicant has the original documents during the call;
• the verifier can validate the documents;
• the applicant appears clearly on camera;
• the Companies House information matches; and
• no unresolved identity or document concerns arise.

Same-day service covers the identity check and ACSP submission. Companies House controls the later processing and delivery of the personal code.

Companies House states that an applicant should normally receive the personal-code email within a few hours after an ACSP completes the submission. However, this is not a guaranteed processing time.

How the Remote Verification Process Works

Step 1: Send Your Documents

Send clear images of the documents you want to use.

For a passport, provide the complete biodata page. For a Queensland driving licence or UK photographic card, send both the front and reverse.

You must also provide:

• your full name;
• all former names;
• your date of birth;
• your current home address;
• your address history for the previous 12 months; and
• your personal email address.

Companies House requires ACSPs to collect this information.

Step 2: Confirm the Document Combination

We check whether each document falls within Group A or Group B.

The review may cover:

• the Australian passport model;
• whether the passport contains a usable biometric chip;
• whether a Queensland licence matches the PRADO entry;
• whether a licence comes from another Australian state;
• the printed expiry dates;
• the physical condition of each document;
• middle names and initials;
• former and married surnames;
• the current home address; and
• the previous 12 months of address history.

Where the proposed documents do not meet the standard, we identify a stronger combination before the video call.

Step 3: Attend the Video Call

During the call, you must:

• appear clearly on camera;
• show the original documents;
• move the documents when requested;
• display security features from different angles;
• confirm your personal information;
• complete a live facial comparison; and
• answer any necessary identity questions.

The verifier must confirm that you are a real person, the documents are genuine and the identity belongs to you. Companies House requires the verifier to see your face clearly during a remote check.

Step 4: Complete the ACSP Submission

After completing all checks, the ACSP submits the required verification information to Companies House.

The ACSP does not normally send document copies to Companies House. However, it must keep the documents, supporting evidence and verification records for seven years.

Step 5: Receive Your Personal Code

Companies House sends the personal code to the email address supplied during the ACSP submission.

The code contains 11 characters. Keep it secure, but you may share it with a trusted solicitor, accountant or company administrator who needs to file on your behalf.

How Australian Directors Use the Personal Code

An existing director normally provides the personal code through the company’s next confirmation statement.

A new director must provide the code as part of the appointment filing. When forming a new company, the incorporation application must include a personal code for each proposed director.

You only need to verify your identity once. However, you must use the same code for every separate director appointment that you hold.

How Australian PSCs Use the Personal Code

A PSC must connect the personal code separately to the PSC role.

This rule applies even where the same person has already used the code as a director.

The deadline depends on the circumstances:

• A person who acts as both director and PSC of the same company normally provides the PSC code during the 14 days that begin after the company’s confirmation statement date.
• A PSC who does not act as a director of the same company normally provides the code during the first 14 days of their birth month.
• A new PSC may provide the code when Companies House first records the PSC or within 14 days of being added.

The same code can cover several companies and roles. You must still connect it separately to every relevant director and PSC position.

How Our Legal Consultant Can Help

Our Legal Consultant and partner solicitor can help Australian nationals by:

• reviewing Australian passports;
• checking the current and earlier Australian passport models;
• reviewing Queensland Government driving licences;
• checking whether a Queensland licence matches the PRADO entry;
• explaining why other state driving licences need separate treatment;
• reviewing Australian full birth certificates;
• checking standard marriage certificates;
• reviewing bank statements and address documents;
• explaining why Medicare and proof-of-age cards do not replace accepted documents;
• confirming the correct Group A and Group B combination;
• checking middle names, former names and married surnames;
• reviewing single-word and non-Western name formats;
• identifying date-of-birth and address differences;
• arranging a remote video call;
• completing the required ACSP checks;
• submitting the verification to Companies House; and
• helping the applicant progress towards receiving the personal code.

Ginkgo Advisory’s Role

Our Legal Consultant and partner solicitor provide the identity verification service.

Ginkgo Advisory supports the process through preliminary document review, client communication, document coordination, appointment arrangements and practical case handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Australian passport?

Yes. An Australian passport provides Group A photographic identity evidence.

A current biometric Australian passport may also work through the GOV.UK One Login app. The app does not accept an expired passport.

Can I use an expired Australian passport?

Potentially, but the answer depends on the route.

The GOV.UK One Login app does not accept expired passports.

For an ACSP check, Option 1 may permit a biometric or machine-readable passport that expired within the previous six months. A person-led Option 2 check may permit a passport that expired within the previous 18 months.

The passport must not have been cancelled or replaced.

Can I use my Queensland driving licence?

Potentially.

PRADO lists a Queensland Government driving licence under reference AUS-FO-01001. The exact physical card must remain valid and pass the document checks.

Can I use my New South Wales driving licence?

Do not rely on it as one of the required documents.

PRADO does not currently list a separate New South Wales driving licence. Prepare an Australian passport and an accepted Group B document instead.

Can I use my Victorian driving licence?

Do not assume that it qualifies.

The current PRADO Australia list does not contain a separate Victorian driving licence entry. It may provide additional supporting evidence, but it should not replace the required passport or Group B document.

Can I use a Western Australian, South Australian or Tasmanian licence?

Do not rely on one without a review of the current document lists.

PRADO currently shows only the Queensland Government driving licence for Australia.

Can I use an ACT or Northern Territory driving licence?

Do not assume that it provides Group A evidence.

Although these are genuine Australian government documents, PRADO does not currently show separate ACT or Northern Territory driving licence entries.

Can I use a digital Australian driving licence?

Do not rely on a digital licence alone.

Where you plan to use a Queensland driving licence under the PRADO route, prepare the original physical card. The PRADO entry describes the card’s physical and visible security features.

Can I use my Medicare card?

Not as one of the required documents.

Companies House does not include a foreign healthcare card in its published Group A or Group B lists.

Can I use an Australian proof-of-age card?

Do not rely on it.

PRADO does not currently list Australian proof-of-age or general state photo cards. The Companies House PASS card category only covers UK-accredited PASS cards.

Can I use my Australian citizenship certificate?

Not as a replacement for a required Group A or Group B document.

It may support a nationality or name-history review, but Companies House does not include foreign citizenship certificates in its published document list.

Can I use an Australian bank statement?

Potentially.

A bank statement falls within Group B. The document must be genuine, clear and capable of validation.

Can I use an Australian utility bill?

Potentially.

A utility bill falls within Group B where it shows the applicant’s current address.

Can I use an Australian birth certificate?

Potentially.

A birth certificate falls within Group B. A full or standard certificate issued by the relevant Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages will usually provide the strongest evidence.

Do not rely on a commemorative certificate, hospital statement or birth card without a document review.

Can I use an Australian marriage certificate?

Potentially.

A marriage certificate falls within Group B and may also connect former and married surnames.

Use the standard certificate issued through the relevant state or territory registry rather than relying only on a decorative celebrant certificate.

Can I verify my identity while living in Australia?

Yes.

An ACSP can complete the identity check remotely where the documents meet the Companies House standard and the video process allows the verifier to confirm your identity.

Do I always need two documents?

You need two documents for a person-led remote or in-person Option 2 check.

One eligible document may be enough under Option 1 where suitable technology validates all required security features.

Do Australian documents need an English translation?

Australian documents normally use English, so translations will rarely be necessary.

A translation or explanation may still be required where a supporting document contains information in another language.

What if my passport and Companies House record show different middle names?

Send the complete document set for review.

The verifier should compare the passport, supporting documents and Companies House record. Additional evidence may be needed where the register omits, shortens or changes a middle name.

What if I changed my surname after marriage?

Provide your passport together with a standard marriage certificate or another official linking document.

The ACSP must understand how the former and current names connect before completing verification.

What if I have a single-word name?

Send your passport and Companies House record for review.

The verifier must confirm how the name appears in the passport, machine-readable zone and Companies House system.

Must I post my original Australian passport?

Usually not.

For an approved remote process, you send clear images in advance and show the original documents during the video call.

Can I use one personal code as both a director and PSC?

Yes.

The personal code belongs to you. However, you must connect it separately to your director role and your PSC role.

Can You Complete the Verification on the Same Day?

Same-day verification and ACSP submission may be available where we approve the documents in advance and complete all checks without any unresolved issue.

Companies House controls when it issues and delivers the personal code.

Need Companies House Identity Verification for an Australian Director or PSC?

Australian nationals will usually have a clear route where they hold a valid biometric passport and a suitable Group B document.

Some cases need extra care, especially where the applicant has:

• only a non-Queensland Australian driving licence;
• only a digital driving licence;
• a Medicare card or proof-of-age card as the second document;
• an extract or commemorative birth certificate;
• a celebrant marriage certificate rather than a registry certificate;
• several middle names;
• a married or former surname;
• a single-word name;
• an incorrect date of birth; or
• information that does not match the Companies House register.

Our Legal Consultant and partner solicitor can review your documents, confirm the best route and arrange remote Companies House identity verification by video call.

Same-day verification and submission may be available where the applicant provides a complete and suitable document set.