Canadian 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.

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

Quick Answer for Canadian Directors and PSCs

For most Canadian nationals, a valid biometric Canadian passport provides the clearest identity document.

For a person-led remote ACSP video check, you will normally need either:

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

A Canadian passport can provide Group A evidence. A physical Quebec driving licence may also qualify where the exact card matches the model listed on PRADO.

However, PRADO currently lists only one Canadian driving licence model: the Quebec Permis de conduire, reference CAN-FO-01001. PRADO does not currently list driving licences from Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta or the other Canadian provinces and territories. It also does not list Canadian provincial photo cards or health cards.

For many Canadian applicants, the most practical document combinations are:

• Canadian passport and PRADO-listed Quebec driving licence;
• Canadian passport and bank statement;
• Canadian passport and utility bill;
• Canadian passport and mortgage statement;
• Canadian passport and insurance policy;
• Canadian passport and birth certificate; or
• Canadian passport and marriage certificate.

Important Point About Canadian Identity Documents

Canada does not use one general federal national identity card for all citizens in the same way as many European countries.

Instead, Canadian residents commonly use:

• a Canadian passport;
• a provincial or territorial driving licence;
• a provincial photo card for non-drivers;
• a provincial health card;
• a citizenship certificate;
• a NEXUS card; or
• another federal, provincial or territorial document.

These documents may provide valid identification within Canada. However, Companies House applies its own document categories. A document does not automatically qualify simply because a Canadian authority accepts it as official ID.

For a person-led ACSP check, another type of foreign photographic ID only qualifies under the relevant Group A route where PRADO lists it. PRADO currently shows Canadian passports and one Quebec driving licence model, but no Canadian national identity card or provincial photo-card category.

Practical conclusion: Most Canadian directors and PSCs should prepare a Canadian passport plus either the PRADO-listed Quebec driving licence or a suitable Group B supporting document.

Who Must Complete Companies House Identity Verification?

The requirement applies to Canadian 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.

Identity verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025. That date started a 12-month transition period rather than creating one universal deadline for every existing director and PSC.

Existing directors normally provide their personal codes through their companies’ next confirmation statements. A new company must provide a code for each proposed director during incorporation. Someone appointed as a new director must provide the code as part of the appointment filing.

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

How Can Canadian Nationals Verify Their Identity?

Canadian nationals can use one of two main routes.

1. Verify Through GOV.UK One Login

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

You can normally use the direct online service if you hold one of the following:

• a biometric passport from any country;
• a UK photocard driving licence;
• a UK biometric residence permit;
• a UK biometric residence card; or
• a UK Frontier Worker permit.

You will also need your current address, the year you moved there and an individual GOV.UK One Login email address. One email address can only connect to one verified identity.

Using a Canadian Passport

A Canadian national can normally try the GOV.UK One Login route with a valid Canadian biometric passport.

Canada’s current passport contains a chip and antenna. The design also uses a polycarbonate personal-information page, multiple facial images and other physical security features. PRADO lists the current passport under reference CAN-AO-05001 and records a maximum validity of 10 years.

PRADO also continues to list the Canadian passport model introduced in 2013 under reference CAN-AO-04001. That model is an electronic passport and may remain usable where the individual passport has not expired, been cancelled or been replaced.

The GOV.UK One Login app does not accept an expired passport. The biometric chip must also work correctly.

How to Recognise a Biometric Canadian Passport

A biometric passport normally displays the international e-passport symbol on its front cover. The symbol resembles a small rectangle with a circle in the centre.

The app scans the chip and compares the stored facial image with the applicant’s face. A damaged chip or unreadable passport may prevent successful verification even where the passport remains legally valid.

Can You Use a Canadian Driving Licence in the App?

Not as the driving-licence document.

The GOV.UK One Login app currently accepts a UK photocard driving licence. It does not list Canadian provincial or territorial driving licences for the app route.

A qualifying Quebec driving licence may still work through a person-led ACSP check under the PRADO-listed photographic ID category.

Can You Use a Provincial Photo Card in the App?

No.

Canadian provinces and territories issue photo cards for residents who do not drive. However, GOV.UK One Login does not list foreign provincial photo cards among its accepted online documents.

Can You Use a Canadian Passport at a UK Post Office?

Potentially.

Applicants who live in the UK may receive the option to attend a participating Post Office. You must first begin the Companies House verification service online and enter the requested identity information.

Where the service offers this route, you will receive a customer letter containing a QR code. You must take the letter and your original photo ID to the Post Office. Staff will scan the ID and take your photograph. You cannot use a photocopy or digital image. Results usually arrive within one day.

This option may suit a Canadian national living in the UK. It will usually provide less convenience to someone who lives in Canada 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 person’s identity for Companies House.

ACSPs commonly include regulated solicitors, accountants and company service providers. To register as an ACSP, the organisation or individual must remain supervised for anti-money laundering purposes.

Companies House allows an ACSP to complete checks remotely or in person. The ACSP must follow the full identity verification standard, examine the documents and confirm that the identity belongs to the applicant.

The ACSP route may suit a Canadian director or PSC who:

• lives in Canada or another country outside the UK;
• cannot complete GOV.UK One Login verification;
• cannot scan the Canadian passport chip;
• wants to use a PRADO-listed Quebec driving licence;
• only holds a driving licence from another Canadian province;
• only has a provincial photo card as their second photographic document;
• needs help selecting a Group B document;
• has several long forenames;
• has different middle names on separate records;
• uses French accents or a hyphenated surname;
• uses a married surname that differs from the birth surname;
• has an incorrect date of birth at Companies House; or
• wants remote verification by video call.

How Many Documents Do You Need?

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

Option 1: Technology-Led Verification

One eligible photographic document may be enough where the ACSP uses suitable identity document validation technology.

The technology must check the document’s cryptographic and physical security features. Companies House permits documents including:

• 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.

A Canadian biometric passport can provide the most relevant Option 1 document for a Canadian national. A biometric or machine-readable passport may be up to six months expired under this ACSP route where the technology can still validate its features.

A Canadian provincial driving licence does not qualify through the Option 1 driving-licence category because Companies House limits that category to the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and EU.

Provincial photo cards also do not qualify through the Option 1 identity-card category. That category only covers biometric identity cards from the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Option 2: Person-Led Remote or In-Person Verification

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

Under this route, the applicant 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 most Canadian applicants, the practical combination will involve:

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

Group A Photographic ID for Canadian Nationals

1. Canadian Passport

A Canadian passport normally provides the clearest Group A identity document.

PRADO lists the current passport as:

• CAN-AO-05001;
• Passport / Passeport;
• first issued as a document model in 2023;
• valid as a current model; and
• capable of a maximum 10-year validity.

The passport contains an integrated polycarbonate information page, electronic chip, multiple facial images and other visible and electronic security features.

For a person-led Option 2 check, Companies House may accept a passport that expired within the previous 18 months.

However, you cannot use a passport that:

• has been cancelled;
• has been replaced by a newer passport;
• contains cancellation marks;
• has a cut or clipped corner;
• has serious damage around the personal-information page; or
• cannot be validated satisfactorily.

A current passport will normally make the process easier.

Earlier Canadian Passports

PRADO lists several previous Canadian ordinary passport models, including:

• CAN-AO-04001, first issued in 2013;
• CAN-AO-03001, first issued in 2007;
• CAN-AO-02001, first issued in 2002; and
• CAN-AO-01001, first issued in 1993.

An older model may still provide Group A evidence where the individual document remains usable under the Companies House expiry rules and has not been cancelled or replaced.

For the GOV.UK One Login app, the passport must remain current and contain a working biometric chip.

2. Quebec Driving Licence

A physical Quebec driving licence may provide Group A photographic evidence for a person-led Option 2 check.

PRADO currently lists:

• CAN-FO-01001;
• Québec – Permis de conduire;
• first issued on 19 October 2009;
• card format;
• valid as a document model; and
• a document that establishes the holder’s identity within Canada.

The licence does not prove Canadian nationality by itself.

Companies House includes another type of photographic identity document listed on PRADO within Group A. The listed Quebec licence may therefore qualify through that category.

The ACSP must still check:

• that the physical card matches the PRADO-listed model;
• the printed expiry date;
• the holder’s photograph;
• the condition of the card;
• whether the licence has been replaced;
• whether the card shows signs of alteration; and
• whether the details agree with the applicant’s passport.

Send clear images of both sides before the video appointment. You must also show the original physical card during the call.

Does Every Quebec Driving Licence Qualify?

Not automatically.

PRADO lists a particular Quebec licence model. A new design, temporary permit, learner document, digital licence, renewal notice or application receipt may not match the listed card.

The ACSP should review the exact physical document before confirming that it can form part of the required Group A combination.

Does a Quebec Licence Prove Canadian Nationality?

No.

The licence supports identity and driving entitlement. It does not establish that the holder is a Canadian citizen. A passport provides clearer nationality evidence.

3. Eligible UK-Issued Photographic Documents

A Canadian national who lives in the UK may hold another Group A document, such as:

• 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;
• a photographic visa; or
• another qualifying UK document.

The ACSP must review the exact document and apply the current expiry rules.

A Canadian passport combined with a valid UK photocard driving licence can provide two strong Group A documents.

Canadian Driving Licences From Other Provinces and Territories

Canada’s provinces and territories issue their own driving licences.

These include licences from:

• Alberta;
• British Columbia;
• Manitoba;
• New Brunswick;
• Newfoundland and Labrador;
• Northwest Territories;
• Nova Scotia;
• Nunavut;
• Ontario;
• Prince Edward Island;
• Quebec;
• Saskatchewan;
• Yukon; and
• the relevant provincial or territorial licensing authorities.

Canadian government guidance recognises all of these authorities for domestic Canadian identity purposes.

However, PRADO currently lists only the Quebec driving licence under Canada’s driving-licence category. It does not show separate entries for the other provinces and territories.

Therefore:

Do not rely on an Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba or other non-Quebec Canadian driving licence as one of the two required Group A documents under the current published PRADO route.

A non-Quebec licence may still provide useful additional evidence. However, the formal document combination should use a Canadian passport plus a qualifying Group B document unless another Companies House category clearly applies.

Can You Use an Ontario Driving Licence?

Do not rely on it as one of the required Group A documents under the current PRADO route.

Ontario issues genuine government driving licences, but PRADO does not currently list an Ontario licence model for Canada. Prepare a Canadian passport and an accepted Group B document instead.

Can You Use a British Columbia Driving Licence?

Not as a confirmed PRADO-listed Group A document.

British Columbia licences may support additional identity checks, but PRADO currently lists only the Quebec licence.

Can You Use an Alberta Driving Licence?

Do not assume that it qualifies.

The Alberta licence may provide valid identification in Canada, but it does not currently appear as a separate Canadian PRADO entry.

Can You Use a Digital Canadian Driving Licence?

Do not rely on a digital driving licence, mobile wallet screen, QR code or screenshot as the required photographic document.

The PRADO Quebec entry describes a physical card and its visible security features. A person-led remote check may require the applicant to move and tilt the original card during the video call.

Canadian Documents You Should Not Rely On as Required Evidence

Provincial or Territorial Photo Card

Several Canadian provinces and territories issue general photo cards to residents who do not hold driving licences.

Examples include:

• Ontario Photo Card;
• BC Services Card;
• Alberta Identification Card;
• Manitoba Identification Card;
• Nova Scotia Identification Card;
• New Brunswick Photo ID Card;
• Saskatchewan photo identification; and
• similar provincial or territorial cards.

These documents may provide official identification within Canada. However, PRADO does not currently list a Canadian provincial photo-card category. Companies House also does not include foreign provincial photo cards in Group B.

Do not rely on a provincial photo card as one of the two required documents unless the current Companies House or PRADO position changes.

Provincial Health Card

Do not rely on a Canadian provincial health card.

Health cards may identify their holders for healthcare or other domestic purposes. Quebec, for example, uses its health card as a provincial identification card for non-drivers. However, health cards do not appear in the Companies House Group A or Group B lists, and PRADO does not list a Canadian health-card category.

This includes cards such as:

• Ontario Health Card;
• Quebec Health Insurance Card;
• BC Services Card used for healthcare;
• Alberta Personal Health Card; or
• another provincial healthcare card.

Canadian Citizenship Certificate or Citizenship Card

A Canadian citizenship certificate can prove citizenship for Canadian government purposes. However, Companies House does not list a foreign citizenship certificate in Group A or Group B.

The certificate may provide additional nationality or name-history evidence. It should not replace the required passport, PRADO-listed licence or Group B document.

The same caution applies to:

• an older Canadian citizenship card;
• a naturalisation certificate;
• a registration of birth abroad certificate;
• a printed citizenship e-certificate; or
• a commemorative citizenship certificate.

Canada itself states that certain commemorative certificates do not provide valid proof of citizenship.

Social Insurance Number

A Canadian Social Insurance Number, or SIN, is not an identity document.

Do not submit only:

• a SIN number;
• a SIN confirmation letter;
• a tax document showing the SIN;
• a Service Canada screenshot; or
• an online account page.

A SIN is also not the same as a Companies House personal code.

NEXUS Card

A NEXUS card supports expedited border processing for approved travellers. Canadian authorities may accept it in some domestic identity processes. However, Companies House does not include NEXUS cards in its published Group A or Group B lists, and PRADO does not list a Canadian NEXUS category.

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

Secure Certificate of Indian Status

A Secure Certificate of Indian Status is an important federal document. Canadian authorities may use it for identity and status purposes.

However, Companies House does not expressly include a Canadian status card in Group A or Group B. PRADO also does not list it under Canada’s current document categories.

It may provide additional information but should not replace the formal document combination.

Canadian Firearms Licence

Do not rely on a Canadian firearms licence.

Companies House only expressly includes UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man firearms licences within Group A. A Canadian firearms licence does not fall within that category, and PRADO does not list it as a Canadian photographic identity document.

Digital Identity Profiles and Government Account Screens

A digital identity account, government portal, mobile application screen or online verification result does not replace an accepted document.

This includes:

• provincial digital identity accounts;
• Canada Revenue Agency account screens;
• Service Canada screens;
• online passport application pages;
• digital driving-licence screenshots; or
• photographs of provincial ID cards.

The applicant should show the original physical documents during a person-led video verification.

Group B Supporting Documents

Where you only have one suitable Group A photographic identity document, you can provide one Group B document.

Companies House Group B documents include:

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

A Canadian bank statement, utility bill, mortgage statement, insurance policy, birth certificate or marriage certificate may work where the ACSP can confirm that it:

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

Canadian Bank Statements

A Canadian bank or credit-union statement may provide Group B evidence.

The statement should:

• show the applicant’s full name;
• identify the bank or credit union;
• display a recent statement date;
• show genuine account activity;
• remain complete and legible;
• contain no signs of editing; and
• show the current address where the applicant relies on it as address evidence.

A complete PDF downloaded directly from online banking will usually provide stronger evidence than a cropped mobile-banking screenshot.

Canadian Utility Bills

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

Examples may include:

• electricity bill;
• natural-gas bill;
• water bill;
• fixed-line telephone bill; or
• another genuine household utility account.

The ACSP must be able to identify the provider and connect the account to the applicant.

A mobile telephone bill may need individual review, especially where it does not clearly show a residential address.

Mortgage Statements and Insurance Policies

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

An insurance policy may also qualify where it identifies the applicant and current address.

The document should come from an identifiable lender or insurer and remain capable of independent validation.

Canadian Birth Certificates

A Canadian birth certificate may provide Group B evidence.

The Vital Statistics authority in the province or territory where the birth occurred issues the certificate. Canada does not operate one central national birth-certificate format.

Canadian provinces generally issue different forms of birth certificate. These can include:

• a short certificate showing the individual’s details; and
• a long-form or parental-information certificate showing the individual and parents.

Companies House does not expressly distinguish between short and long Canadian certificates in its Group B list. However, a long-form certificate will often provide stronger evidence where the ACSP needs to understand parentage, name history, amendments or a complex date-of-birth issue.

Send the exact certificate for review before relying on it.

Do not rely only on:

• a hospital birth record;
• baptismal record;
• commemorative certificate;
• unofficial extract;
• online application receipt; or
• photograph of an incomplete certificate.

Late Birth Registration or Amended Certificate

Canadian provinces allow late registration and certificate amendments.

A late registration or amendment does not automatically prevent the certificate from being used. However, the ACSP may request more evidence where the registration date, name history or amendment needs explanation.

Canadian Marriage Certificates

A Canadian marriage certificate may provide Group B evidence.

The appropriate provincial or territorial Vital Statistics authority issues the official certificate. A religious ceremony, wedding licence, solemnisation record or decorative keepsake does not necessarily provide the same evidence as the registered marriage certificate.

Use the official certificate where possible.

A marriage certificate can also connect:

• a birth surname;
• a spouse’s surname;
• a double-barrelled surname;
• a former married surname;
• a surname resumed after divorce; or
• another name used on UK records.

Quebec Civil Union Certificates

Quebec recognises a union civile, or civil union.

An official civil-union certificate may potentially fall within the Companies House civil-partnership certificate category. The ACSP must review the exact document and issuing authority.

French-Language Canadian Documents

Canadian documents may appear in English, French or both languages.

An ACSP may request an English translation where material information appears only in French and the verifier cannot confidently understand or validate it.

The translation supports the document review. It does not replace the original certificate, statement or bill.

Recommended Document Combinations

Canadian Passport and Quebec Driving Licence

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

The passport establishes identity and Canadian nationality. The Quebec driving licence provides a second photographic document where it matches CAN-FO-01001.

Both documents should show consistent names, dates of birth and facial images.

Canadian Passport and Bank Statement

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

For many Canadian nationals, it offers the clearest route because it does not depend on the province that issued the driving licence.

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

Canadian Passport and Utility Bill

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

The provider and account details must remain capable of validation.

Canadian Passport and Mortgage Statement

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

Canadian Passport and Insurance Policy

An insurance policy may provide Group B evidence where it identifies the applicant and current address.

Canadian Passport and Birth Certificate

An official provincial or territorial birth certificate may provide Group B evidence.

A long-form certificate can offer stronger support where the applicant needs to explain:

• a long or shortened name;
• several forenames;
• an amended birth record;
• a formal name change;
• a date-of-birth issue; or
• a difference between the passport and Companies House record.

Canadian Passport and Marriage Certificate

An official provincial or territorial marriage certificate may provide Group B evidence.

It can connect a birth surname with:

• a married surname;
• a double-barrelled surname;
• a former surname; or
• a name used in the UK.

Canadian Passport and UK Photocard Driving Licence

A Canadian national living in the UK may use a valid UK photocard driving licence as the second Group A document.

This can provide two strong photographic identity documents.

Canadian Passport and UK Immigration Document

An eligible UK photographic immigration document may provide the second Group A document.

The ACSP must review the exact document type, validity and relevant expiry exception.

Canadian Names, Long Forenames and Name Differences

Canadian names reflect many languages, cultures and naming systems. The verifier should not assume that every Canadian name follows a simple first-name, middle-name and surname format.

Canadian Passport Name-Length Limit

A Canadian passport has a limit of 31 characters, including spaces, in the given-names field.

Where the full given names exceed that limit, the personal-information page may show only the names that fit. The passport may record the full name in an observation.

This can create differences between:

• the passport’s main information page;
• the passport observation;
• a birth certificate;
• a driving licence;
• a Canadian bank statement;
• UK immigration records; and
• the Companies House register.

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

Middle Names and Initials

Canadian records may show middle names differently.

For example:

• the passport may show all middle names;
• a driving licence may show initials;
• a bank statement may omit middle names;
• Companies House may record only one middle name; or
• the applicant may use a shortened business name.

Before verification, compare:

• every forename;
• all middle names;
• initials;
• the surname;
• the date of birth; and
• the Companies House record.

French Names and Accented Characters

French-Canadian names may contain:

• accents;
• hyphens;
• apostrophes;
• several forenames;
• compound surnames; or
• surname particles.

Examples include:

• FRANÇOIS and FRANCOIS;
• BÉLANGER and BELANGER;
• CÔTÉ and COTE;
• JEAN-FRANÇOIS and JEAN FRANCOIS;
• D’AMOURS and DAMOURS; or
• MARIE-ÈVE and MARIE EVE.

UK systems may remove accents or punctuation. A small formatting difference may be explainable, but the ACSP must compare the complete document set.

Married Names Outside Quebec

Canadian passport authorities allow a person to update a surname after marriage, civil partnership or divorce.

The applicant may need a marriage certificate, civil-partnership certificate, court order, divorce judgment or another relationship document. The supporting identity document must also show the requested surname.

This can create differences where:

• an older passport shows the birth surname;
• a bank account uses the married surname;
• Companies House records a spouse’s surname; or
• a later passport shows a double-barrelled surname.

Special Position in Quebec

Quebec follows a distinct rule.

Spouses generally keep their birth surnames after marriage and must use those surnames when exercising civil rights, including signing contracts or applying for a driving licence. A person may still use a spouse’s surname socially.

This may create a mismatch where:

• the Canadian passport shows the birth surname;
• the Quebec driving licence shows the birth surname;
• a UK bank account uses the spouse’s surname;
• business correspondence uses a married name; or
• Companies House records the socially used surname.

An official marriage certificate and other linking evidence may be needed.

Legal Name Changes

Canadian provinces and territories manage legal name changes through their Vital Statistics systems.

A person may receive a certificate of change of name, and related civil-status records may also change.

Relevant linking evidence may include:

• provincial or territorial change-of-name certificate;
• court order;
• marriage certificate;
• divorce order;
• adoption order;
• updated birth certificate;
• updated passport; or
• another official record showing the former and current names.

Canada also allows passport name changes connected with the reclamation of an Indigenous name.

Check Your Date of Birth Before Verification

The date of birth connected to your personal code must match the date held by Companies House.

Problems can arise where:

• someone enters the personal code incorrectly;
• Companies House holds the wrong date of birth;
• the ACSP submits incorrect personal information;
• the passport and birth certificate contain different details; or
• an incorporation filing contained an error.

Companies House may prevent the code from connecting to a director or PSC role where the details do not match. Correct an inaccurate date of birth before trying to provide the verification details.

Is a SIN the Same as a Companies House Personal Code?

No.

A Social Insurance Number belongs to Canada’s employment, tax and benefits system.

A Companies House personal code is a separate 11-character code created after successful Companies House identity verification.

Do not enter any of the following when Companies House asks for your personal code:

• Canadian SIN;
• passport number;
• driving-licence number;
• provincial health number;
• citizenship certificate number;
• UK National Insurance number;
• company authentication code; or
• Canadian tax account number.

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 Canadian directors and PSCs.

Same-day verification and ACSP submission may be available where:

• we review and approve the documents in advance;
• the applicant supplies 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. After an ACSP completes a successful submission, Companies House says that the code email should normally arrive within a few hours. This timing is not guaranteed.

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 personal-information page.

For a Quebec driving licence or UK photographic card, send both the front and reverse.

Regarding a bank statement, bill, mortgage statement, insurance policy or certificate, send the complete document rather than a cropped screenshot.

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 an ACSP to collect personal details and evidence that supports the claimed identity.

Step 2: Confirm the Document Combination

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

The review may cover:

• the Canadian passport model;
• whether the passport contains a working biometric chip;
• whether a driving licence comes from Quebec;
• whether the Quebec card matches CAN-FO-01001;
• the printed expiry dates;
• the physical condition of each document;
• long forenames and passport observations;
• middle names and initials;
• French accents and punctuation;
• 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 arranging the video call.

Step 3: Attend the Video Call

During the call, you must:

• appear clearly on camera;
• show the original documents;
• move or tilt them 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, that the documents appear genuine and that the identity belongs to you.

Step 4: Complete the ACSP Submission

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

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

Step 5: Receive Your Personal Code

Companies House sends the 11-character personal code to the individual email address supplied during the ACSP submission.

Keep the code secure. You may share it with a trusted solicitor, accountant or company administrator who needs to file on your behalf.

How Canadian Directors Use the Personal Code

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

A new director provides 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 connect the same code to every separate director appointment that you hold.

How Canadian PSCs Use the Personal Code

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

This applies even where the same person has already provided 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 beginning on the day 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 personal 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 Canadian nationals by:

• reviewing current and earlier Canadian passports;
• checking whether a passport contains a readable biometric chip;
• reviewing Quebec driving licences;
• checking whether a licence matches CAN-FO-01001;
• explaining why other provincial driving licences do not currently provide confirmed PRADO-listed Group A evidence;
• reviewing Canadian provincial photo cards as additional evidence;
• explaining why health cards, SIN records and citizenship certificates do not replace accepted documents;
• confirming the correct Group A and Group B combination;
• reviewing Canadian bank statements and address documents;
• checking provincial and territorial birth certificates;
• reviewing marriage and Quebec civil-union certificates;
• checking long forenames and passport observations;
• reviewing middle names, initials and French accents;
• connecting birth, married and former surnames;
• 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 Canadian passport?

Yes.

A Canadian passport provides Group A photographic identity evidence. A current biometric Canadian passport may also work through GOV.UK One Login.

Can I use an expired Canadian passport?

Potentially, depending on the route.

GOV.UK One Login does not accept an expired passport.

Under ACSP Option 1, suitable technology may accept a biometric or machine-readable passport that expired within the previous six months.

A person-led Option 2 check may accept a passport that expired within the previous 18 months.

The passport must not have been cancelled or replaced.

Can I use my Quebec driving licence?

Potentially.

PRADO lists the Quebec Permis de conduire under reference CAN-FO-01001. The exact physical card must match that model, remain valid and pass the required document checks.

Can I use my Ontario driving licence?

Do not rely on it as one of the required Group A documents under the current PRADO route.

PRADO currently lists only the Quebec driving licence for Canada. Prepare a Canadian passport and an accepted Group B document instead.

Can I use my British Columbia driving licence?

Not as a confirmed PRADO-listed Group A document.

The licence may support additional checks, but the current Canadian PRADO list only includes Quebec’s licence.

Can I use my Alberta driving licence?

Do not assume that it qualifies under the current route.

Use a Canadian passport with a Group B supporting document unless the published PRADO position changes.

Can I use another provincial or territorial driving licence?

Do not rely on it without checking the current PRADO list.

Canadian authorities issue genuine driving licences across all provinces and territories. However, Companies House’s foreign-ID route depends on PRADO listing the document, and PRADO currently lists only Quebec’s licence.

Can I use a provincial photo card?

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

Canadian provinces issue photo cards for non-drivers, but PRADO does not currently list a Canadian provincial photo-card category.

Can I use my provincial health card?

Do not rely on it.

Companies House does not list foreign health cards in Group A or Group B.

Can I use my Canadian 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 the published Companies House document list does not include foreign citizenship certificates.

Can I use my NEXUS card?

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

NEXUS cards do not appear in the published Companies House Group A or Group B lists.

Can I use my SIN?

No.

A SIN is a personal number rather than a photographic identity document. It is also different from the Companies House personal code.

Can I use a Canadian bank statement?

Potentially.

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

Can I use a Canadian utility bill?

Potentially.

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

Can I use a Canadian mortgage statement?

Potentially.

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

Can I use a Canadian insurance policy?

Potentially.

An insurance policy falls within Group B where it clearly shows the applicant’s current address.

Can I use a Canadian birth certificate?

Potentially.

A birth certificate falls within Group B. The appropriate provincial or territorial Vital Statistics authority should have issued it. A long-form certificate may provide stronger evidence in a complex name or date-of-birth case.

Can I use a short-form Canadian birth certificate?

Possibly.

Companies House does not expressly exclude short-form Canadian certificates. However, the certificate may contain less information than a long-form or parental-information certificate.

Send the exact document for review before relying on it.

Can I use a Canadian marriage certificate?

Potentially.

A marriage certificate falls within Group B. Use the official certificate issued by the relevant provincial or territorial Vital Statistics authority.

Can I use a Quebec civil-union certificate?

Potentially.

An official union civile certificate may fall within the civil-partnership certificate category. The ACSP must review the exact document.

Can I verify my identity while living in Canada?

Yes.

An ACSP can complete the check remotely where the documents meet the Companies House standard and the video process allows the verifier to confirm the applicant’s 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 French Canadian documents need an English translation?

A translation may be required where important information appears only in French and the verifier cannot fully understand or validate it.

Provide both the original document and the translation.

What if my Canadian passport shortens my given names?

Send the complete passport, including any observation page, together with supporting documents.

Canadian passports limit the main given-names field to 31 characters. The passport may record a longer complete name in an observation.

What if Companies House omits one of my middle names?

Send the complete document set for review.

The ACSP must compare the passport, supporting documents and Companies House record. A missing middle name may be explainable, but the evidence must support one consistent identity.

What if my name contains French accents?

The verifier should compare the printed passport name, machine-readable information and Companies House record.

Differences such as FRANÇOIS and FRANCOIS may be explainable, but the complete document set must support the same person.

What if I use my spouse’s surname?

Provide your passport together with an official marriage certificate and any identity document showing the surname you currently use.

Canadian passport authorities permit relationship-based surname changes, although Quebec applies a separate birth-surname rule for civil rights.

What if I live in Quebec and use my spouse’s surname socially?

Provide your passport, marriage certificate and documents showing both name forms.

Quebec generally requires spouses to use their birth surnames when exercising civil rights, even though they may use a spouse’s surname socially.

Must I post my original Canadian passport?

Usually not for an approved remote video process.

You send clear images for preliminary review 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 document set in advance and complete all checks without an unresolved issue.

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

Need Companies House Identity Verification for a Canadian Director or PSC?

Canadian nationals will usually have one of two practical person-led document routes:

• a Canadian passport plus a Quebec driving licence that matches the PRADO-listed model; or
• a Canadian passport plus an accepted Group B supporting document.

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

• only an Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta or other non-Quebec driving licence;
• only a provincial photo card;
• only a provincial health card;
• only a citizenship certificate or NEXUS card;
• a shortened name caused by the Canadian passport’s character limit;
• several middle names or initials;
• French accents or compound names;
• a Quebec birth surname and socially used married surname;
• a formal legal or Indigenous name change;
• 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 most suitable 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.