UK Companies House Identity Verification for French Nationals: A Clear Guide for Directors and PSCs

French nationals who act as directors or people with significant control, known as PSCs, of UK companies must complete Companies House identity verification.

After you verify your identity, Companies House will send you an 11-character personal code. The code belongs to you, not 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 the code separately to each role.

Important Point for French Nationals

French nationals usually have several suitable identity documents.

You may be able to use:

• a valid French passport;
• a French national identity card, known as a carte nationale d’identité or CNI;
• a French EU photocard driving licence;
• an eligible UK-issued photographic document; or
• one photographic document and one supporting document.

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

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

For many French directors and PSCs, the simplest combinations are:

• a French passport and a French national identity card; or
• a French passport and a French photocard driving licence.

Who Must Complete Companies House Identity Verification?

The requirement applies to French nationals who are:

• directors of UK limited companies;
• becoming directors of UK companies;
• registered as PSCs;
• becoming PSCs of existing companies; or
• forming a UK company in which they will act as a director or PSC.

Companies House introduced mandatory identity verification on 18 November 2025.

This date started a 12-month transition period. It did not create one deadline for every existing director and PSC.

Existing directors usually provide their personal codes through the company’s confirmation statement. PSCs follow a separate deadline based on their role and circumstances.

How Can French Nationals Verify Their Identity?

French 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 system may ask you to:

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

Using a French Passport

A French national can normally try the app route with a valid biometric passport.

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

The app does not accept expired passports.

A current French biometric passport will therefore give most French applicants the clearest route through GOV.UK One Login.

Using a French Identity Card

The GOV.UK One Login app does not currently list non-UK national identity cards as accepted app documents.

You should not assume that a French CNI will work through the app.

However, an EU national identity card may work through the UK Post Office route. You must first start the Companies House verification process online. The system will tell you whether you can use this option.

This route may suit French nationals who live in the UK. It will usually be less convenient for someone who lives in France.

2. Verify Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider, or ACSP, can verify your identity for Companies House.

ACSPs often include solicitors, accountants and regulated company service providers.

An ACSP can complete the checks remotely or in person. The ACSP must inspect the documents, compare them with the applicant and confirm that the identity is genuine.

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

• lives in France or another country outside the UK;
• cannot use GOV.UK One Login;
• does not have a compatible phone;
• cannot scan the passport chip;
• wants to use a French identity card or driving licence;
• uses both a birth surname and a married surname;
• has an older French identity card; or
• needs remote verification by video call.

How Many Documents Do You Need?

The number of documents depends on the verification method.

Option 1: Technology-Led Verification

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

The technology must check the document’s security features.

Eligible documents may include:

• a biometric passport;
• a machine-readable passport;
• an EU photocard driving licence;
• a biometric EU identity card;
• certain UK biometric immigration documents; or
• an eVisa.

A French biometric passport, current biometric identity card or EU photocard driving licence may work under this route.

Option 2: Person-Led Verification

A trained person may check your documents during a video call or in person.

Under this route, you must provide:

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

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

French applicants should prepare two suitable documents before the video appointment.

Group A Photographic ID for French Nationals

1. French Passport

A French passport normally provides the clearest Group A document.

PRADO lists several French passport models, including current biometric passports.

Companies House may accept a passport that expired within the previous 18 months under the person-led route. However, the passport must not have been cancelled or replaced.

You cannot use a passport with cancellation marks, such as a clipped corner.

A current passport will usually make the process easier.

2. French National Identity Card

A valid French national identity card can provide Group A photographic evidence.

France now issues an electronic national identity card in bank-card format. It is often called the CNIe, which means carte nationale d’identité électronique.

PRADO lists the current French identity card under document reference FRA-BO-03001. France first issued this model on 15 March 2021.

The current CNIe contains biometric information and can fall within the Companies House Group A rules.

Older photographic French identity cards may also qualify if PRADO lists the exact model and the document remains valid.

Send clear images of both sides of the card before the video appointment.

Older French Identity Cards

Some older French identity cards show a printed expiry date that has passed.

France extended the validity of certain adult identity cards from 10 years to 15 years. The authorities did not change the printed expiry date.

As a result, a card may remain legally valid in France even though it looks expired.

This can create problems during remote identity checks. Companies House normally expects documents to show a valid date unless a specific exception applies.

You should therefore send the card for review before relying on it.

A current passport or current CNIe will usually provide a safer option.

3. French Driving Licence

A valid French EU photocard driving licence can provide Group A photographic evidence.

Companies House accepts UK and EU photocard driving licences under Group A.

PRADO lists several French driving licence models, including:

• FRA-FO-07001;
• FRA-FO-06002; and
• FRA-FO-06001.

Send clear images of the front and back of the licence.

A current card-format licence usually works better than an older paper licence because the verifier can check its photograph, dates and security features more easily.

Old Pink French Driving Licence

Some French drivers still hold the old pink three-part paper licence, known as the permis rose à trois volets.

France generally treats these licences as valid until 19 January 2033, unless a separate medical or vehicle restriction applies.

However, the pink licence is not the same as a modern EU photocard.

Remote checks may also prove more difficult because the document has fewer modern security features.

An ACSP must review the exact document before accepting it.

A current French passport, CNIe or card-format driving licence will usually provide a better option.

4. UK-Issued Photographic Documents

French nationals who live in the UK may also hold other Group A documents.

Examples include:

• a UK photocard driving licence;
• a UK biometric residence card;
• a UK biometric residence permit that falls within an allowed exception;
• a UK Frontier Worker permit;
• a photographic work permit;
• a photographic immigration document; or
• a photographic visa.

The ACSP must confirm that the document fits the Companies House rules and remains suitable for verification.

Group B Supporting Documents

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

Group B documents may 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;
• a utility bill;
• an insurance policy;
• a UK council tax statement; or
• a qualifying UK social-housing rental agreement.

A French bank statement, utility bill, mortgage statement or civil-status certificate may work if the document is genuine, clear and easy to check.

The ACSP may ask for an English translation where important information appears only in French.

Recommended Document Combinations

French Passport and French National Identity Card

This combination provides two Group A photographic documents.

A current biometric passport and current CNIe will usually create a strong document set.

French Passport and French Driving Licence

This also provides two Group A documents.

Both documents should show consistent personal details.

French Identity Card and French Driving Licence

A current CNIe and EU photocard driving licence may also provide two Group A documents.

The verifier may still ask for a passport if the case needs stronger evidence of identity or nationality.

French Passport and Bank Statement

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

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

The address should also match the information supplied for verification.

French Passport and Utility Bill

This combination may work where the bill clearly shows the applicant’s current home address.

The bill must come from a genuine provider and remain easy to validate.

French Passport and Marriage Certificate

This combination may help where the applicant uses a married surname or another usage name.

It can explain differences between the passport, bank documents and Companies House records.

French Names: Nom de Naissance and Nom d’Usage

French documents often show more than one surname.

The nom de naissance means the birth surname.

The nom d’usage means a surname that the person uses in daily life. It may include a spouse’s surname or another permitted family name.

French documents may also use:

• ép. to mean spouse of;
• vve to mean widow of;
• a married surname;
• a surname from the other parent; or
• several forenames separated by commas.

For example, you may see:

• DUPONT, Marie Claire;
• DUPONT ép. MARTIN;
• DUPONT nom d’usage MARTIN;
• JEAN, PIERRE, LOUIS; or
• a compound name such as Jean-Pierre.

Accents and special characters also matter. Examples include É, È, Ç, Ë and Ï.

Before verification, check:

• the exact birth surname;
• any usage surname;
• all forenames;
• hyphens and apostrophes;
• accents;
• former names;
• married names;
• the date of birth; and
• the details on the Companies House register.

The ACSP must collect your full name, former names, date of birth, current home address, previous 12 months of address history and email address.

A marriage certificate or birth certificate may help where different documents show different surnames.

Check Your Date of Birth

Your date of birth must match the Companies House record.

Problems may arise where:

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

Correct any error before trying to connect the personal 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 identity verification by video call for French 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 information;
• the document combination meets the Companies House rules;
• the applicant has the original documents during the call;
• the verifier can validate the documents;
• the applicant appears clearly on camera;
• the Companies House details match; and
• no unresolved concerns arise.

Same-day service covers the identity check and ACSP submission.

Companies House controls the time it takes to issue the personal code.

How the Remote Verification Process Works

Step 1: Send Your Documents

Send clear images of the documents you want to use.

For a passport, send the full photo page.

For an identity card or driving licence, send both the front and back.

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.

Step 2: Confirm the Document Combination

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

We also review:

• the French document model;
• its expiry date;
• whether an older CNI relies on an automatic extension;
• whether the driving licence is a card or an older pink document;
• differences between your birth surname and usage surname;
• the current address; and
• your address history.

Where the proposed documents do not meet the standard, we suggest 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;
• confirm your personal details;
• complete a live facial comparison; and
• answer identity-check questions.

The verifier must confirm that you are a real person and that the documents belong to you.

Step 4: Complete the ACSP Submission

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

The ACSP does not normally send the document copies to Companies House.

However, the ACSP must keep the verification records for seven years.

Step 5: Receive Your Personal Code

Companies House sends the personal code to the email address used during verification.

The code contains 11 characters.

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

How French Directors Use the Personal Code

An existing director normally provides the 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, each proposed director must provide a personal code.

You only need to verify once. However, you must use the code for each director appointment that you hold.

How French PSCs Use the Personal Code

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

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

The relevant deadline depends on the circumstances.

A person who acts as both director and PSC of the same company must normally provide the PSC code during the 14 days that start on the day after the company’s confirmation statement date.

A PSC who does not act as a director of the same company usually 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 the following 14 days.

How Our Legal Consultant Can Help

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

• reviewing French passports;
• checking French national identity cards;
• reviewing French driving licences;
• checking document models against PRADO;
• assessing older CNIs with extended validity;
• reviewing old pink driving licences;
• confirming the correct Group A and Group B combination;
• checking birth surnames and usage surnames;
• reviewing married and former names;
• checking dates of birth and addresses;
• arranging a remote video call;
• completing the required ACSP checks;
• submitting the verification to Companies House; and
• helping the applicant obtain the Companies House personal code.

Ginkgo Advisory’s Role

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my French passport?

Yes. A current French passport provides Group A photographic evidence.

A biometric French passport may also work through GOV.UK One Login.

Can I use my French national identity card?

Yes. A current French CNIe can provide Group A evidence.

Older cards may also work where PRADO lists the model and the document remains valid.

Can I use my French identity card in the GOV.UK One Login app?

The app does not currently list EU identity cards as accepted documents.

However, the system may offer a UK Post Office route that accepts an EU national identity card.

Can I use my French driving licence?

Yes. A valid French EU photocard driving licence can provide Group A evidence.

The verifier must still inspect the exact document and confirm its validity.

Can I use an old pink French driving licence?

Possibly, but the ACSP must review it first.

The older paper format may prove harder to check remotely.

A current passport, CNIe or photocard driving licence will usually work better.

Can I use an apparently expired French identity card?

Do not rely on it without review.

Some older French cards remain legally valid because France extended their validity. However, the printed expiry date may cause problems during Companies House verification.

Can I verify my identity while living in France?

Yes.

An ACSP can complete the identity check remotely by video call if the documents meet the Companies House standard.

Do I always need two documents?

You need two documents for a person-led video or in-person check.

One document may be enough where suitable technology can validate all required security features.

Can I use a French bank statement?

Yes, potentially.

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

Do French documents need an English translation?

Some documents may need a translation.

A translation may help where important information appears only in French or where the verifier cannot understand the document fully.

Must I post my original passport?

Usually not.

For remote verification, you send clear copies in advance and show the original documents during the video call.

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

Yes.

However, you must connect the code separately to each director and PSC role.

Can you complete the verification on the same day?

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

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

French nationals often have several suitable documents, including a French passport, national identity card and EU photocard driving licence.

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

• an older identity card;
• an old pink driving licence;
• a married surname;
• a usage surname;
• several forenames;
• accented characters; or
• details that do not match the Companies House register.

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

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