Malaysian 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 one company. You can use the same personal code for every UK company where you act as a director or PSC. However, you must connect it separately to each appointment and role.

Quick Answer for Malaysian Directors and PSCs

For most Malaysian nationals, a valid Malaysian biometric passport provides the clearest Group A identity document.

Malaysia also issues the national identity card known as MyKad, Kad Pengenalan Malaysia or Malaysian identity card. MyKad is an official government identity document containing a photograph and electronic chip.

However, Companies House applies its own document categories. PRADO’s current Malaysia page lists Malaysian passports but does not list MyKad or a Malaysian driving licence. MyKad and Malaysian driving licences should therefore not be treated automatically as the formal Group A document under the current person-led PRADO route.

For a person-led remote check through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, known as an ACSP, you normally need either:

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

For many Malaysian directors and PSCs, the most practical combinations are:

• Malaysian passport and bank statement;
• Malaysian passport and utility bill;
• Malaysian passport and mortgage statement;
• Malaysian passport and insurance policy;
• Malaysian passport and birth certificate;
• Malaysian passport and marriage certificate;
• Malaysian passport and UK photocard driving licence;
• Malaysian passport and an eligible UK immigration document;
• Malaysian passport and another current passport held through dual nationality; or
• one Malaysian machine-readable passport through a suitable technology-led Option 1 process.

Direct answer: The strongest person-led route will usually use a Malaysian passport together with an accepted Group B supporting document. MyKad and a Malaysian driving licence may support the review, but they should not replace the formal document combination unless Companies House or PRADO changes its published categories.

Important Point About MyKad

MyKad is Malaysia’s national identity card.

It is issued by the National Registration Department of Malaysia, commonly known as JPN. The card may contain or provide access to information including:

• identity-card number;
• full registered name;
• residential address;
• photograph;
• citizenship status;
• gender;
• religion for Muslim cardholders;
• fingerprint information; and
• other official identity data.

MyKad is also used when Malaysian citizens apply for or renew passports and complete other government transactions.

However, the fact that MyKad is Malaysia’s principal domestic identity document does not automatically make it an accepted Companies House Group A or Group B document.

The current PRADO page for Malaysia lists:

• three ordinary passport models;
• one diplomatic passport model; and
• one service or official passport model.

It does not currently contain a Malaysian identity-card category.

The practical conclusion is:

Do not rely on MyKad as one of the two required formal documents under the current published Companies House person-led route.

An ACSP may nevertheless review MyKad as additional evidence.

For example, MyKad may help compare:

• the applicant’s photograph;
• full Malaysian name;
• identity-card number;
• date of birth;
• citizenship;
• current or former Malaysian address;
• information shown in a birth certificate;
• information shown in a marriage certificate; or
• details shown in a Malaysian passport.

MyKad should supplement rather than replace the accepted Malaysian passport and Group B supporting document.

Why Does MyKad Not Qualify Under Option 1?

Companies House limits the Option 1 biometric identity-card category to identity cards issued by:

• an EU country;
• Norway;
• Iceland; or
• Liechtenstein.

Malaysia does not fall within that category.

MyKad does not qualify under Option 1 merely because it:

• contains a photograph;
• contains an electronic chip;
• stores fingerprint information;
• is issued by the Malaysian government;
• is used for official Malaysian transactions; or
• can be checked against Malaysian government records.

A Malaysian national may still qualify under Option 1 by using:

• a biometric or machine-readable Malaysian passport;
• a UK photocard driving licence;
• an eligible UK immigration document; or
• an eVisa where the relevant technology-led route applies.

Why Does MyKad Not Automatically Qualify Under Option 2?

Group A under person-led Option 2 includes another photographic identity document listed on PRADO.

PRADO does not currently list MyKad.

Therefore, MyKad should not be treated automatically as a Group A document through the PRADO route. It also does not appear in the Companies House Group B list.

Can You Use an Expired MyKad?

Do not rely on an expired or invalid MyKad as formal Companies House evidence.

An old card may provide historical information, but it may contain:

• an outdated photograph;
• former address;
• former name;
• outdated citizenship information;
• old marital-status information; or
• information superseded by a replacement card.

Where MyKad has expired, been reported lost, become damaged or been replaced, use the current passport and another accepted document.

MyKad at Age 12 and 18

Malaysian citizens normally obtain their first MyKad at age 12.

A person who received MyKad at age 12 is required to replace the card after reaching age 18. Malaysian registration rules provide a period during which the replacement can be completed.

This may be relevant to a young Malaysian director because a UK company director can be appointed from age 16.

A Malaysian director aged 16 or 17 may therefore hold:

• a MyKad issued at age 12;
• a Malaysian passport;
• a birth certificate; and
• no driving licence.

For a person-led Companies House check, the clearest combination will normally be the Malaysian passport and an accepted Group B document.

Can You Use a MyKad Replacement Receipt?

No.

Do not submit only:

• MyKad replacement receipt;
• temporary application confirmation;
• JPN appointment record;
• online application status;
• police report for a lost MyKad;
• identity-card number without the card; or
• photograph of the receipt.

These items may explain why the current card is unavailable, but they do not replace the accepted Companies House document combination.

MyPR and MyKAS Cards

Malaysia also issues identity-related cards to certain non-citizens and residents, including MyPR and MyKAS.

These cards are not the same as MyKad and do not prove Malaysian citizenship.

A person holding MyPR or MyKAS may still complete Companies House identity verification using an eligible passport or another qualifying document. However, the ACSP must record the holder’s actual nationality and immigration status accurately.

Malaysian Identity-Card Number

A Malaysian identity-card number may also be called:

• MyKad number;
• NRIC number;
• National Registration Identity Card number;
• nombor kad pengenalan; or
• Malaysian personal identification number.

The number is a personal identifier rather than a photographic identity document.

Do not submit only:

• MyKad number;
• NRIC number;
• typed identity-card number;
• screenshot displaying the number;
• tax document containing the number;
• university record containing the number;
• employment record containing the number;
• MyDigital ID screen; or
• government portal profile.

The number may help the ACSP compare records. However, it does not replace an accepted Group A or Group B document.

Is a MyKad Number the Companies House Personal Code?

No.

The MyKad number belongs to Malaysia’s national identity system.

The 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:

• MyKad number;
• NRIC number;
• Malaysian passport number;
• Malaysian driving-licence number;
• MyDigital ID information;
• UK National Insurance number;
• company authentication code;
• Malaysian tax number;
• business registration number; or
• immigration application reference.

MyDigital ID

Malaysia has introduced MyDigital ID as a secure online authentication method for accessing government digital services.

MyDigital ID uses a cryptography-based system and links the user’s digital identity to their registered name and identity-card number.

However, the official MyDigital ID description expressly states that it:

• does not store biometric data;
• does not replace MyKad for identification purposes;
• does not act as a physical identity card; and
• is intended primarily for secure online authentication.

The practical conclusion is:

Do not rely on MyDigital ID as the formal Group A or Group B document for Companies House identity verification.

Do not submit only:

• MyDigital ID profile;
• login screen;
• QR code;
• screenshot;
• authentication confirmation;
• digital certificate;
• government-service login; or
• mobile identity display.

An ACSP may use MyDigital ID information as supplementary evidence where appropriate. It does not replace the accepted passport and supporting-document combination.

Malaysian Biometric and Machine-Readable Passports

The Malaysian ordinary passport is known as the Malaysian International Passport.

PRADO currently lists three Malaysian ordinary passport models:

• MYS-AO-03001, first issued on 1 October 2017;
• MYS-AO-02001, first issued on 1 February 2010; and
• MYS-AO-01001, first issued on 1 July 2006.

Current Malaysian Passport Model

The current Malaysian ordinary passport model is MYS-AO-03001.

PRADO records this document as:

• an ordinary Malaysian passport;
• issued to Malaysian nationals;
• currently valid as a document model;
• a 50-page passport booklet;
• issued for up to ten years;
• constructed with an integrated polymer personal-details card;
• containing a black-and-white facial image;
• protected by a hologram;
• protected by a variable laser image;
• containing optically variable features; and
• containing ultraviolet security features.

A current MYS-AO-03001 passport normally provides the strongest Group A identity document for a Malaysian director or PSC.

Malaysian Passport Validity

Malaysia currently offers Malaysian International Passports with:

• five-year validity; or
• ten-year validity for eligible adult applicants.

Applicants under 18 are not eligible for the ten-year passport. The passport’s actual validity must always be checked from the personal-details page.

Do not assume that every Malaysian passport has ten-year validity.

Malaysian e-Passport

Malaysia introduced the ICAO-compliant Malaysian e-Passport generation in 2010.

The passport uses electronic-chip and public-key infrastructure technology and is designed to support biometric identity verification and international interoperability.

A current Malaysian e-Passport may work through the GOV.UK One Login app where:

• the passport contains a functioning biometric chip;
• the applicant has a compatible phone;
• the app can read the chip;
• the personal-details page remains clear;
• the facial image supports reliable comparison; and
• the applicant completes the facial check successfully.

How Do You Know Whether a Malaysian Passport Is Biometric?

Check the front cover for the international biometric-passport symbol.

The symbol resembles a rectangle containing a circle.

A current Malaysian passport should normally contain an electronic chip. However, the applicant should not rely only on the passport’s age or appearance.

The chip may fail where:

• the passport is damaged;
• the cover is badly bent;
• the chip has become unreadable;
• the phone does not support near-field communication;
• the applicant scans the wrong location; or
• the passport model is not supported by the particular identity-checking platform.

A passport with an unreadable chip may still qualify through a person-led Option 2 check where the physical document can be validated satisfactorily.

Previous Malaysian Passport Model

The previous Malaysian ordinary passport model MYS-AO-02001 was first issued in February 2010.

PRADO records it as:

• an ordinary passport;
• issued to Malaysian nationals;
• designed with 48 pages;
• historically issued for up to five years;
• containing a colour facial image;
• containing holographic features; and
• protected by Malaysian national imagery and security printing.

Because this model had five-year validity, most individual passports issued under it will now have expired.

An individual passport may nevertheless be considered where:

• it expired within the relevant Companies House passport exception;
• it has not been cancelled;
• it has not been replaced;
• it was not reported lost or stolen;
• it remains in good condition; and
• the ACSP can validate it.

Older Malaysian Passport Model

PRADO also lists MYS-AO-01001, first issued in July 2006.

This model had a maximum validity of five years and could not be extended.

An individual passport under this design will no longer be a current Malaysian passport in 2026.

It should only be treated as historical or linking evidence unless the ACSP confirms that a specific Companies House passport-expiry exception can lawfully apply. In practice, its original validity period makes that unlikely.

Malaysian Passports Issued Through the London Office

Malaysian citizens living in the United Kingdom may apply for or renew a Malaysian passport through the Malaysian Immigration office in London, subject to the relevant appointment, residence and document requirements.

For overseas passport applications, Malaysian authorities may require copies of:

• previous passport;
• valid visa or long-term immigration status;
• MyKad or identity-card register extract;
• birth certificate for applicants under 18;
• parent or guardian identity documents; and
• other supporting evidence.

The application is processed through the competent Malaysian authorities. A passport obtained through the London office remains a Malaysian International Passport and is not a lower-status document merely because the application was submitted abroad.

The ACSP should check:

• exact passport model;
• passport number;
• issue date;
• expiry date;
• biometric symbol;
• chip functionality;
• complete personal-details page;
• machine-readable zone;
• photograph;
• document condition;
• observation pages; and
• whether another passport has replaced it.

Lost, Stolen and Damaged Malaysian Passports

A Malaysian passport that has been reported lost or stolen must not be used for Companies House identity verification.

Malaysian authorities require lost or damaged passport cases to be investigated and may require:

• police report;
• MyKad;
• supporting civil-status documents;
• emergency certificate where relevant; and
• other evidence.

A replacement passport invalidates the previous passport as current identity evidence.

Do not use a passport that:

• has been reported lost;
• has been reported stolen;
• has been cancelled;
• has been replaced;
• contains cancellation marks;
• has been cut or clipped;
• has serious damage to the personal-details page;
• has an unreadable photograph; or
• cannot be validated satisfactorily.

Can You Use an Expired Malaysian Passport?

Potentially, depending on the route.

The GOV.UK One Login app 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, provided the technology can still validate the required cryptographic and physical security features.

Under person-led Option 2, a passport may be accepted where it expired within the previous 18 months.

The passport must not have been:

• cancelled;
• replaced;
• reported lost or stolen;
• physically invalidated;
• seriously damaged; or
• altered.

A current Malaysian passport will normally provide the clearest route.

Malaysian Emergency Certificate

Malaysia may issue an Emergency Certificate, sometimes referred to as an SPC, to a Malaysian citizen abroad who needs to return to Malaysia and cannot use a valid ordinary passport.

The document is generally issued for a restricted return journey and is not the same as an ordinary Malaysian International Passport.

Do not rely on a Malaysian Emergency Certificate as the routine Companies House Group A document.

PRADO’s current Malaysian page does not list the Emergency Certificate.

It may have:

• limited validity;
• a single-journey purpose;
• restricted territorial use;
• fewer security features;
• no compatible biometric chip; or
• no continuing validity after the return journey.

Use a current ordinary Malaysian passport wherever possible.

Malaysian Diplomatic and Official Passports

PRADO lists Malaysian diplomatic and service or official passports in addition to ordinary passports.

A current diplomatic or official passport may potentially provide Group A evidence because it is a passport.

However, the document requires individual review.

The ACSP must confirm:

• exact passport category;
• PRADO model;
• holder’s identity;
• present validity;
• continuing entitlement to use it;
• whether an ordinary passport also exists;
• whether the document has been cancelled or replaced; and
• whether the security features can be validated.

A current ordinary Malaysian passport will normally provide the clearest route for a private company director or PSC.

Who Must Complete Companies House Identity Verification?

The requirement applies to Malaysian nationals who are:

• directors of UK limited companies;
• becoming directors of UK companies;
• directors of overseas companies registered in the UK;
• 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.

This date began a transitional process 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 personal code for each proposed director during incorporation.

A person appointed as a new director must provide the code as part of the appointment process.

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 Malaysian Nationals Verify Their Identity?

Malaysian nationals can use one of two main routes.

1. Verify Through GOV.UK One Login

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

Depending on the applicant’s documents and circumstances, the service may ask them to:

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

The available route depends on the applicant’s documents, device and access to relevant UK records.

Using a Malaysian Passport in the GOV.UK One Login App

A Malaysian national can normally try the app route using a current Malaysian biometric passport.

The app accepts a non-UK passport containing a biometric chip.

The applicant must normally:

1. photograph the passport’s personal-details page;
2. scan the biometric chip;
3. scan their face;
4. complete the live identity comparison; and
5. finish the remaining identity checks.

The original passport must be used.

The app does not accept:

• photocopy;
• scanned PDF;
• screenshot;
• photograph displayed on another device;
• passport number without the passport;
• cancelled passport;
• replaced passport; or
• expired passport.

What If the Malaysian Passport Chip Cannot Be Read?

Failure of the GOV.UK One Login app does not automatically mean that the passport is invalid.

The passport may still qualify:

• under Option 1 where an ACSP’s technology can validate the exact passport through another supported method; or
• under person-led Option 2 where the trained verifier can inspect the original physical document and its security features.

An ACSP may ask the applicant to:

• retry the chip scan;
• remove the phone case;
• move the phone across the passport cover;
• use another compatible phone;
• provide clearer passport images; or
• use the person-led route.

Can You Use MyKad in the One Login App?

No published GOV.UK One Login route lists MyKad as an accepted app document.

The app currently accepts specified documents such as:

• UK passport;
• non-UK passport with a biometric chip;
• UK photocard driving licence;
• certain UK biometric immigration documents; or
• UK Frontier Worker permit.

MyKad does not become an accepted app document merely because it contains a chip and fingerprint information.

Can You Use a Malaysian Driving Licence in the One Login App?

No.

The app accepts a UK photocard driving licence rather than a Malaysian driving licence.

A Malaysian licence also does not fall within the Companies House Option 1 category for UK or EU photocard driving licences.

Can You Use MyDigital ID in the One Login App?

No.

MyDigital ID is a Malaysian online authentication system and does not replace the photographic document required by GOV.UK One Login.

Answering Security Questions

Some Malaysian nationals living in the United Kingdom may receive the option to answer security questions online.

The system may use information connected with:

• UK bank accounts;
• credit cards;
• loans;
• mortgages;
• mobile phone contracts;
• benefits;
• tax records; or
• other UK financial and government records.

The information must match closely.

A Malaysian director living outside the United Kingdom or with little UK financial history may find this route less practical.

Name differences may also cause problems, particularly where:

• a Malay patronymic is treated as a surname;
• bin or binti is omitted;
• a Chinese family name is placed first in one record and last in another;
• an Indian Malaysian patronymic is shortened;
• a name containing a/l, a/p, s/o or d/o is formatted differently;
• an East Malaysian name uses anak;
• one document contains several name elements and another contains two;
• a married or former name is used; or
• a UK bank account uses a shortened everyday name.

Verification at a UK Post Office

GOV.UK One Login may direct some applicants to a participating Post Office.

The applicant must first:

1. start the Companies House identity-verification service online;
2. enter the requested identity-document details;
3. receive confirmation that the Post Office route is available;
4. obtain the customer letter or QR code;
5. attend a participating Post Office; and
6. present the original document specified in the instructions.

The applicant cannot simply attend a Post Office without first completing the online process.

The original document must be presented. A photocopy or digital image is not accepted. The customer instructions normally provide a limited period in which to attend.

A Malaysian passport will normally provide the clearest Post Office document route.

Do not assume that the Post Office will accept:

• MyKad;
• Malaysian driving licence;
• MyDigital ID;
• NRIC printout;
• birth certificate displayed on a phone;
• emergency certificate; or
• digital photograph of a passport.

2. Verify Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider can verify a person’s identity for Companies House.

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

An ACSP may complete the checks:

• remotely;
• by video call;
• in person; or
• through suitable identity document validation technology.

The ACSP must be registered with Companies House and supervised for UK anti-money laundering purposes.

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

• lives in Malaysia;
• lives elsewhere outside the United Kingdom;
• cannot complete GOV.UK One Login;
• cannot scan the Malaysian passport chip;
• only has one accepted photographic document;
• needs help selecting a Group B document;
• only has MyKad as the second photographic document;
• only has a Malaysian driving licence as the second photographic document;
• has different Malaysian and UK name formats;
• has a patronymic rather than a conventional surname;
• has several given names;
• has a former or married name;
• has different names across two nationalities;
• 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 identity document may be enough where the ACSP uses suitable identity document validation technology.

The technology must validate the relevant cryptographic and physical security features.

Companies House permits:

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

A biometric or machine-readable passport may be up to six months expired where the technology can still validate its cryptographic security features.

For a Malaysian national, the most relevant Option 1 documents will normally be:

• Malaysian biometric or machine-readable passport;
• another biometric passport held through dual nationality;
• UK photocard driving licence;
• eligible UK immigration document; or
• eVisa.

Can a Malaysian Passport Qualify Under Option 1?

Potentially.

The passport must:

• be biometric or machine-readable;
• be supported by the ACSP’s technology;
• pass the electronic and physical document checks;
• contain a photograph suitable for facial comparison;
• belong to the applicant;
• not have been cancelled or replaced; and
• satisfy the required identity and liveness checks.

Can MyKad Qualify Under Option 1?

No, not under the current published identity-card category.

Malaysia is not one of the countries included in the Option 1 biometric identity-card list.

Can a Malaysian Driving Licence Qualify Under Option 1?

No, not under the current published driving-licence category.

The Option 1 driving-licence category covers specified UK and EU photocard driving licences.

Malaysia is not an EU Member State.

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.

The applicant must provide either:

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

An applicant living outside the United Kingdom must provide at least one government-issued document.

A passport may be up to 18 months expired under Option 2, provided it has not been cancelled or replaced.

Other documents normally need to remain current unless Companies House provides a specific exception.

For many Malaysian applicants, the clearest Option 2 combination is:

• Malaysian passport; and
• one accepted Group B supporting document.

Group A Photographic ID for Malaysian Nationals

1. Malaysian International Passport

A current Malaysian passport normally provides the strongest Group A evidence.

The current ordinary model is:

MYS-AO-03001

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;
• was reported lost or stolen;
• has a cut or clipped corner;
• contains serious damage;
• has an unreadable personal-details page;
• no longer matches the holder’s identity; or
• cannot be validated satisfactorily.

A current passport will normally make the process easier.

2. Another Passport Held Through Dual Nationality

A Malaysian national who also holds another nationality may provide a second passport.

Two current passports may provide two Group A documents under person-led Option 2.

For example, an applicant may hold:

• Malaysian passport and British passport;
• Malaysian passport and Irish passport;
• Malaysian passport and Australian passport;
• Malaysian passport and Canadian passport;
• Malaysian passport and New Zealand passport;
• Malaysian passport and Singapore passport; or
• Malaysian passport and another current foreign passport.

The ACSP must connect the documents where they show:

• different name order;
• different surname treatment;
• omitted bin or binti;
• omitted a/l or a/p;
• Chinese name reversed into Western order;
• different married and birth names;
• different place-of-birth descriptions; or
• different Latin spellings.

3. UK Photocard Driving Licence

A Malaysian national living in the United Kingdom may hold a valid UK photocard driving licence.

A UK photocard driving licence may provide another Group A document.

A Malaysian passport combined with a UK photocard driving licence can provide two strong photographic identity documents.

4. Eligible UK Immigration Document

A Malaysian national may hold an eligible UK photographic immigration document.

Examples may include:

• qualifying biometric residence permit;
• biometric residence card;
• UK Frontier Worker permit;
• photographic government-issued work permit;
• photographic immigration document;
• photographic visa; or
• eVisa under the relevant technology-led route.

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

5. Malaysian Diplomatic or Official Passport

A current Malaysian diplomatic or official passport may potentially provide Group A evidence.

The document requires individual review because the verifier must confirm:

• passport category;
• holder’s entitlement;
• current validity;
• whether an ordinary passport also exists;
• whether the passport has been cancelled or replaced; and
• whether the security features can be validated.

Malaysian Documents You Should Not Rely On as Required Evidence

MyKad

Do not rely on MyKad as one of the two formal documents under the current published route.

PRADO does not currently list it.

MyKad may provide valuable supplementary evidence but should not replace the accepted passport and Group B document.

Malaysian Driving Licence

A Malaysian driving licence may be an official photographic document.

However:

• Malaysia is outside the Option 1 UK and EU driving-licence category;
• PRADO does not currently list a Malaysian driving licence; and
• the licence therefore does not automatically fall within Group A under the person-led PRADO route.

The practical conclusion is:

Do not rely on a Malaysian driving licence as the formal second Group A document under the current published Companies House route.

An ACSP may nevertheless review it as additional evidence of:

• photograph;
• full name;
• identity-card number;
• date of birth;
• Malaysian address;
• driving-licence number;
• recent government activity; or
• consistency with MyKad and the passport.

Can You Use a Digital Malaysian Driving Licence?

Malaysia provides digital driving-licence information through the MyJPJ system.

A digital licence may be available after the issue or renewal of a learner, probationary or competent driving licence.

However, do not rely only on:

• MyJPJ screen;
• screenshot;
• QR code;
• digital wallet;
• online licence record;
• mobile photograph;
• printed digital record; or
• typed licence number.

The digital licence does not change the current Companies House document categories.

Where requested, provide the original physical card or the most complete official licence evidence available as supplementary material.

Malaysian Driving-Licence Validity

Malaysian competent driving licences may be renewed for several years, subject to the current JPJ rules and the licence category.

The ACSP should check:

• precise licence type;
• issue date;
• expiry date;
• current digital status;
• photograph;
• whether the licence has been replaced;
• whether it has been suspended or revoked; and
• whether the holder remains entitled to use it.

MyDigital ID

MyDigital ID is not a replacement for MyKad and is not one of the published Companies House Group A or Group B documents.

MyPR or MyKAS

A MyPR or MyKAS card is not proof that the holder is a Malaysian citizen.

The holder’s actual nationality and status must be assessed.

Malaysian Emergency Certificate

Do not rely on a restricted return-to-Malaysia document as routine Group A evidence.

Malaysian Armed Forces or Police Identification Card

A Malaysian military or police identity card may provide additional official identity information.

However, it is not automatically included in the Companies House Group A or Group B lists.

Malaysian Professional or Employment Card

Do not assume that a Malaysian professional card, employer card or occupational identity card qualifies.

It may provide supplementary evidence of:

• occupation;
• employer;
• professional registration; or
• recent activity.

It does not automatically replace the required document combination.

Malaysian Family Registration or Household Record

A family or household record may help establish:

• parents;
• spouse;
• children;
• family relationships;
• former names; or
• civil status.

However, Companies House does not expressly list a foreign household or family-registration document in Group B.

Use the official birth or marriage certificate where relying on those categories.

Malaysian Police Certificate

A Malaysian certificate of good conduct, criminal-record certificate or police-clearance document may contain personal information.

However, it does not appear in the current Companies House Group A or Group B lists.

Malaysian Tax Records

A Malaysian tax document may support additional checks but does not automatically provide the required Group A or Group B evidence.

Malaysian Health, Student and Membership Cards

Do not rely on:

• health card;
• student card;
• university card;
• employee card;
• professional membership card;
• association card;
• public-transport card;
• bank payment card; or
• private club card

as one of the required documents.

Group B Supporting Documents

Where you only have one suitable Group A photographic 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
• qualifying UK local-authority or social-housing rental agreement.

A Malaysian 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;
• remains complete and legible;
• clearly shows the relevant personal details;
• contains no sign of alteration;
• supports the claimed identity or current address; and
• provides credible evidence of genuine activity.

Malaysian Bank Statements

A Malaysian bank statement may provide Group B evidence.

The statement should:

• show the applicant’s full name;
• identify the bank clearly;
• show a recent statement date;
• contain genuine account activity;
• remain complete;
• remain legible;
• contain no sign 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 normally provide stronger evidence than a cropped mobile-banking screenshot.

A Malaysian bank statement may:

• omit bin or binti;
• abbreviate a/l or a/p;
• reverse a Chinese name into Western order;
• use initials;
• omit one or more given names;
• remove punctuation;
• show only an everyday name; or
• use a former address.

This does not automatically make the statement unacceptable. However, the ACSP must connect it to the passport and other evidence.

An online banking login without the underlying statement is not enough.

Malaysian Utility Bills

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

Examples may include:

• electricity bill;
• water bill;
• gas bill;
• fixed-line telephone bill;
• household internet bill where accepted as a utility; or
• another genuine household utility account.

The verifier must be able to identify:

• service provider;
• account holder;
• service address;
• billing date;
• account information; and
• connection to the applicant.

A bill in another family member’s name will not normally establish the applicant’s address without further evidence.

A payment receipt, e-wallet transaction or direct-debit entry does not necessarily amount to the complete utility bill.

Malaysian Mortgage Statements

A Malaysian mortgage statement may provide Group B evidence where it clearly shows:

• applicant’s name;
• identifiable lender;
• current residential address;
• statement date; and
• genuine mortgage information.

A property purchase agreement, land title, sale and purchase agreement, assessment record or ownership search is not automatically the same as a mortgage statement.

Malaysian Insurance Policies

A Malaysian insurance policy may provide Group B evidence where it clearly identifies the applicant and shows the current residential address.

Examples may include:

• home insurance;
• buildings insurance;
• contents insurance;
• vehicle insurance; or
• another genuine insurance policy.

A payment receipt, quotation, renewal invitation or marketing email may not amount to the policy itself.

Malaysian Birth Certificates

An official Malaysian birth certificate may provide Group B evidence.

The document may also be described as:

• birth certificate;
• certificate of birth;
• extract from the Birth Register;
• certified copy of birth registration;
• sijil kelahiran; or
• cabutan daftar kelahiran.

Malaysia has different civil-registration arrangements and document procedures for:

• Peninsular Malaysia;
• Sabah; and
• Sarawak.

The exact certificate, issuing office and registration legislation may therefore differ depending on where the birth was registered.

JPN provides procedures for obtaining certified birth-register extracts and copies.

For Companies House verification, provide the complete official certificate rather than:

• hospital birth notification;
• baptism certificate;
• religious record;
• cropped photograph;
• application receipt;
• MyKad screen;
• translation without the original; or
• informal family record.

The ACSP should be able to identify:

• applicant’s complete registered name;
• date of birth;
• place of birth;
• parents’ details;
• citizenship information where shown;
• identity-card number where shown;
• issuing authority;
• date of issue; and
• any correction or later amendment.

Malaysian Citizens Born Abroad

A Malaysian national born outside Malaysia may have:

• foreign birth certificate;
• Malaysian birth-registration document;
• Form W, Form H or another citizenship-related record;
• Malaysian passport;
• MyKad;
• certificate of citizenship status;
• parents’ Malaysian identity documents; or
• evidence that the foreign birth was registered with Malaysian authorities.

For Companies House verification, useful evidence may include:

• original foreign birth certificate;
• Malaysian birth-registration extract;
• current Malaysian passport;
• current foreign passport;
• citizenship evidence;
• English translation where required; and
• documents connecting different versions of the name.

The foreign certificate may require authentication or translation where the ACSP cannot validate it satisfactorily.

Malaysian Marriage Certificates

An official Malaysian marriage certificate may provide Group B evidence.

Malaysia’s marriage-registration system differs depending on whether the marriage is:

• a non-Muslim marriage registered through JPN;
• a Muslim marriage registered through the relevant state Islamic religious authority;
• a customary marriage recognised under applicable local law;
• a marriage registered in Sabah or Sarawak;
• a marriage involving indigenous customary law; or
• a foreign marriage later registered or recognised in Malaysia.

Non-Muslim Malaysian Marriage Certificates

Non-Muslim marriages are generally registered through the National Registration Department under the applicable civil-marriage legislation.

The official marriage certificate may identify:

• both spouses;
• identity-card or passport details;
• date of marriage;
• place of marriage;
• marriage-registration office;
• witnesses;
• registrar; and
• official registration number.

Provide the complete official certificate rather than:

• wedding photograph;
• ceremonial document;
• partial scan;
• informal church letter;
• untranslated extract;
• online screenshot; or
• application receipt.

Muslim Malaysian Marriage Certificates

Muslim marriages are generally registered through the relevant state Islamic religious department or council.

The exact certificate and online system can differ by state. Some jurisdictions use systems connected with SPPIM, while others maintain separate state procedures.

The official marriage certificate may be called:

• sijil nikah;
• surat perakuan nikah;
• marriage certificate;
• Muslim marriage certificate; or
• another state-specific title.

Use the full official marriage certificate rather than relying only on:

• pocket marriage card;
• ceremonial document;
• religious ceremony photograph;
• application receipt;
• online marriage-status screen; or
• unofficial religious letter.

A state-issued marriage card may provide supplementary evidence, but the complete official certificate will normally provide the clearer Group B route.

Malaysian Citizens Married Abroad

A Malaysian national who marries abroad may hold:

• foreign marriage certificate;
• apostille or legalisation where applicable;
• certified translation;
• Malaysian marriage-registration record;
• updated MyKad information;
• current Malaysian passport;
• former passport;
• foreign passport; or
• official name-change evidence.

An official foreign marriage certificate may itself provide Group B evidence.

The ACSP may request Malaysian linking evidence where:

• names differ;
• one spouse adopted a new surname;
• the marriage has not been recorded in Malaysia;
• MyKad information remains unchanged;
• two passports show different names; or
• the Companies House record uses a married name.

Divorce, Widowhood and Civil-Status Evidence

A Malaysian divorce certificate, court order, death certificate or civil-status record may help explain differences between documents.

These documents normally act as linking evidence.

They do not automatically replace the required Group A and Group B combination unless the document itself falls within an accepted category.

Useful linking documents may include:

• decree or order of divorce;
• Muslim divorce-registration certificate;
• civil divorce order;
• death certificate of a spouse;
• updated MyKad;
• former passport;
• current passport;
• official name-change evidence; or
• marriage certificate.

English Translations

Malaysian passports and MyKad use Latin-script information.

However, Malaysian birth certificates, marriage certificates, court orders, bank statements and utility documents may contain important information in:

• Bahasa Malaysia;
• English;
• Chinese;
• Tamil;
• Arabic script in some religious records; or
• another local language.

The ACSP may request an English translation where it cannot clearly understand:

• document type;
• issuing authority;
• applicant’s name;
• parents’ names;
• spouse’s name;
• current address;
• date of issue;
• date of birth;
• marriage information;
• name-change information; or
• another material entry.

Provide:

• the complete original document; and
• a complete English translation where requested.

The translation supports the original document. It does not replace it.

Recommended Document Combinations

Malaysian Passport and Bank Statement

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

It often provides the clearest route where the applicant:

• does not hold a UK driving licence;
• only has MyKad as another photographic card;
• has no second passport;
• wants to demonstrate genuine financial activity;
• needs to establish a Malaysian or UK address; or
• has a name-format difference across documents.

Malaysian Passport and Utility Bill

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

The provider, account and service address must remain capable of validation.

Malaysian Passport and Mortgage Statement

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

Malaysian Passport and Insurance Policy

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

Malaysian Passport and Birth Certificate

An official Malaysian or foreign birth certificate may provide Group B evidence.

This combination can help where:

• Companies House omits one or more name elements;
• bin or binti is missing;
• a Chinese name appears in a different order;
• an Indian Malaysian patronymic is shortened;
• anak is treated incorrectly as part of a surname;
• the passport and company record use different forms;
• date or place of birth requires clarification;
• applicant was born abroad;
• applicant changed their name; or
• verifier needs stronger civil-registration evidence.

Malaysian Passport and Marriage Certificate

An official Malaysian or foreign marriage certificate may provide Group B evidence.

It can also help connect:

• registered birth name;
• married name;
• former name;
• name used under another nationality;
• Malaysian and UK records;
• Muslim and civil marriage records; or
• another name used at Companies House.

Malaysian Passport and UK Photocard Driving Licence

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

This combination provides two strong photographic identity documents.

Malaysian Passport and UK Immigration Document

An eligible UK photographic immigration document may provide another Group A document.

An eVisa may qualify under the technology-led route.

The ACSP must review the exact document and status.

Malaysian Passport and Second Foreign Passport

A Malaysian dual national may use a second current passport as another Group A document.

This combination can provide strong evidence where the ACSP can connect any differences in:

• name order;
• surname;
• patronymic;
• married name;
• place of birth;
• nationality; or
• document spelling.

Malaysian Names and Name Structure

Malaysian identity records require careful name checks.

Malaysia is a multicultural country, and there is no single name structure that applies to every Malaysian national.

Names may follow:

• Malay patronymic conventions;
• Chinese naming conventions;
• Indian patronymic conventions;
• East Malaysian indigenous conventions;
• Christian naming conventions;
• Arabic or Muslim naming traditions;
• Western surname conventions; or
• a combination of several systems.

The ACSP should not assume that the final name is always the surname.

Malay Names, Bin and Binti

Many Malay names do not contain a hereditary family surname in the conventional British sense.

A Malay name may contain:

• personal name;
• bin, meaning son of;
• binti, meaning daughter of; and
• the father’s personal name.

Official Malaysian guidance explains that Malays commonly attach the father’s name rather than using a conventional family name.

For example, a name may be structured as:

Ahmad bin Ismail

This does not necessarily mean that Ismail is a hereditary surname shared by all family members.

A UK system may:

• treat Ismail as the surname;
• include bin in the surname;
• omit bin;
• join Binismail;
• treat the full patronymic as a middle name;
• record only Ahmad Ismail; or
• require the applicant to place one element in the surname field.

These differences do not automatically indicate different people.

The current passport’s labelled name fields and machine-readable zone should provide the primary reference.

Omission of Bin or Binti

Some international records may omit bin or binti.

For example, records may show:

• Ahmad bin Ismail;
• Ahmad Ismail;
• Ahmad B Ismail; or
• Ahmad Bin Ismail.

The ACSP should compare:

• passport;
• MyKad;
• birth certificate;
• bank statement;
• marriage certificate;
• UK immigration record; and
• Companies House record.

Compound Malay and Muslim Names

Malay names may contain compound elements such as:

• Muhammad;
• Mohamad;
• Mohammed;
• Mohd;
• Abdul;
• Abd;
• Nur;
• Noor;
• Siti;
• Nurul;
• Syed;
• Sharifah;
• Tengku;
• Nik; or
• other inherited, religious or honorific elements.

Separate records may join, abbreviate or omit one of these elements.

For example:

• Muhammad and Mohd;
• Abdul Rahman and Abdulrahman;
• Nur Aisyah and Nuraisyah;
• Mohamad Faizal and M Faizal.

A difference does not automatically indicate a different person.

Malaysian Chinese Names

Malaysian Chinese names often place the family name before the personal name.

Official Malaysian guidance explains that Chinese names generally place the family name first.

For example:

Tan Mei Ling

may contain:

• Tan as the family name; and
• Mei Ling as the personal name.

A UK system may display the same person as:

• Mei Ling Tan;
• Tan Mei Ling;
• Meiling Tan;
• Mei-Ling Tan;
• M L Tan; or
• Mei Tan.

The ACSP should not assume that a reversal of order creates a different identity.

Chinese Names With an English Given Name

A Malaysian Chinese person may use an English given name in professional or overseas records.

For example, different records may show:

• Tan Mei Ling;
• Grace Tan Mei Ling;
• Mei Ling Tan;
• Grace Tan; or
• Tan Grace Mei Ling.

The English name may be:

• legally recorded;
• included in the passport;
• added socially;
• used professionally; or
• absent from MyKad.

Provide the complete document set so the ACSP can establish whether the English name forms part of the legal identity or is an everyday name.

Chinese Dialect Spellings

Chinese family and personal names may have different spellings based on:

• Mandarin;
• Cantonese;
• Hokkien;
• Hakka;
• Teochew;
• Foochow;
• Hainanese;
• another dialect;
• older romanisation; or
• family preference.

For example, related spellings may include:

• Chan and Chen;
• Lee and Li;
• Lim and Lin;
• Wong and Huang;
• Cheong and Zhang;
• Teoh and Zhang;
• Yap and Ye;
• Khoo and Qiu.

Different spellings do not automatically establish the same person. The ACSP must rely on the complete evidence.

Malaysian Indian Names

Many Malaysian Indian names use a patronymic structure rather than a hereditary family surname.

Official Malaysian guidance explains that many Indian Malaysian names use the father’s name.

The name may include:

• personal name;
• a/l, meaning son of;
• a/p, meaning daughter of;
• s/o, meaning son of;
• d/o, meaning daughter of; and
• father’s name.

For example:

Raj Kumar a/l Muthu

may appear elsewhere as:

• Raj Kumar Muthu;
• Rajkumar Muthu;
• Raj Kumar s/o Muthu;
• R K Muthu;
• Kumar Muthu; or
• Raj Kumar.

A UK system may incorrectly treat the father’s name as a hereditary surname.

A/L, A/P, S/O and D/O Variations

Different records may:

• use capital letters;
• use lower-case letters;
• include punctuation;
• remove punctuation;
• omit the patronymic indicator;
• translate a/l into s/o;
• join name elements; or
• place the father’s name in the surname field.

The ACSP should compare:

• passport;
• MyKad;
• birth certificate;
• driving licence;
• bank statement;
• marriage certificate; and
• Companies House record.

East Malaysian and Indigenous Names

Malaysian nationals from Sabah and Sarawak may use naming conventions that differ from those commonly found in Peninsular Malaysia.

Names may include:

• anak;
• bin or binti;
• a Christian given name;
• indigenous personal names;
• patronymic elements;
• several inherited name elements; or
• a family name used under local custom.

The word anak may indicate a parental relationship rather than a conventional hereditary surname.

For example, an official Malaysian name may contain a structure such as:

Garry Belayong Anak John Siki

A UK system may incorrectly treat:

• Siki as the only surname;
• Anak as a middle name;
• John Siki as a double surname; or
• the entire final sequence as one surname.

The ACSP should use the passport’s exact name fields and supporting Malaysian civil-registration evidence.

Several Given Names and Shortened Records

A Malaysian passport may show several name elements while Companies House, a bank or a UK immigration document shows only part of the name.

Separate records may:

• include or omit a second given name;
• use initials;
• omit bin or binti;
• omit a/l or a/p;
• use only an English name;
• show the Chinese family name last;
• use a shortened professional name;
• join two name elements; or
• divide one compound name.

A shortened record does not automatically mean that it belongs to another person.

However, the complete evidence must support one consistent identity.

Passport Name and Machine-Readable Zone

The Malaysian passport’s visible personal-details page and machine-readable zone may format the name differently.

The machine-readable zone may:

• remove punctuation;
• remove apostrophes;
• remove slashes;
• remove full stops;
• remove hyphens;
• merge spaces;
• truncate a long name;
• divide surname and given names differently; or
• omit patronymic markers.

The ACSP should compare:

• visible passport name;
• machine-readable zone;
• MyKad;
• birth certificate;
• marriage certificate;
• UK immigration record;
• bank statement; and
• Companies House record.

Married and Former Names

Marriage does not necessarily cause a Malaysian person to change their legal name.

Many Malaysian women retain their registered birth name after marriage.

A person may nevertheless:

• adopt a spouse’s surname;
• use a married name socially;
• use a married name professionally;
• use a different surname under another nationality;
• retain the MyKad name while changing a foreign passport;
• use a former name at Companies House; or
• use different names in Malaysian and UK records.

Provide:

• current Malaysian passport;
• MyKad;
• marriage certificate;
• former passport;
• second passport where relevant;
• official name-change evidence; and
• documents showing the name used at Companies House.

Formal Name Changes and Corrections

A Malaysian citizen who changes or corrects their registered identity information may need to update:

• MyKad;
• passport;
• birth registration;
• driving licence;
• bank records;
• immigration records;
• tax information; and
• Companies House information.

JPN provides procedures for amending identity-card particulars and civil-registration information. Supporting documents may include birth, adoption, citizenship, marriage or other official evidence.

Where Companies House records the former or incorrect name, useful evidence may include:

• current passport;
• former passport;
• current MyKad;
• former MyKad;
• corrected birth certificate;
• marriage certificate;
• official JPN correction;
• court order;
• second passport; or
• another document connecting the former and current names.

Malaysian and Foreign Versions of the Same Name

A Malaysian dual national may hold a foreign passport showing a different form of the name.

Differences may result from:

• omission of bin or binti;
• omission of a/l or a/p;
• reversal of a Chinese name;
• use of an English given name;
• different surname selection;
• marriage;
• punctuation;
• spacing;
• transliteration;
• foreign naming laws;
• data limitations; or
• correction of an earlier spelling.

Provide all relevant passports and civil-status documents so the ACSP can connect the versions.

Check Your Date of Birth Before Verification

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

Problems can arise where:

• Companies House holds the wrong date;
• someone made an error during incorporation;
• passport and company record differ;
• Malaysian civil-registration information contains an error;
• the identity-card number is copied incorrectly;
• date format is misunderstood;
• the ACSP submits incorrect information; or
• the applicant enters the personal code incorrectly.

Use:

• passport;
• birth certificate;
• MyKad as supplementary evidence; and
• other official civil-status records.

Companies House may prevent the personal code from connecting to a director or PSC role where the date of birth does not match.

Correct an inaccurate date of birth before the compliance deadline. Companies House warns that a date-of-birth correction may take time to process.

Malaysian Addresses and Address History

Companies House requires an ACSP to collect:

• current home address; and
• address history for the previous 12 months.

A Malaysian applicant’s documents may show different addresses because:

• MyKad shows an earlier family home;
• applicant lives permanently overseas;
• passport does not show a residential address;
• bank statement uses a correspondence address;
• utility bill is in a parent’s or spouse’s name;
• applicant recently moved;
• a Malaysian address uses different abbreviations; or
• applicant has both Malaysian and UK homes.

The applicant should provide the actual current residential address.

Where MyKad shows an old address, use a suitable current Group B document.

Useful evidence may include:

• current bank statement;
• utility bill;
• mortgage statement;
• insurance policy;
• UK council tax statement;
• qualifying UK housing agreement;
• current immigration record; or
• another credible address document.

Same-Day Remote Verification by Video Call

Ginkgo Advisory 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 Malaysian directors and PSCs.

Same-day identity checks and ACSP 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, document or compliance concern arises.

For many person-led Malaysian cases, the applicant should prepare:

• Malaysian passport; and
• one accepted Group B supporting document.

Alternative combinations may include:

• Malaysian passport and UK photocard driving licence;
• Malaysian passport and eligible UK immigration document;
• Malaysian passport and another current foreign passport; or
• another approved Group A combination.

MyKad and a Malaysian driving licence may be requested as additional evidence, but they should not replace the formal document combination under the current published categories.

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 the verification, Companies House sends the personal code to the applicant’s individual email address. Companies House states that it will normally arrive within a few hours, although that 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:

• complete personal-details page;
• machine-readable zone;
• any observation page;
• any page showing a name amendment; and
• any relevant endorsement.

For MyKad or a Malaysian driving licence provided as supplementary evidence, send both the front and reverse.

For a bank statement, utility bill, mortgage statement, insurance policy, birth certificate or marriage certificate, send the complete document rather than a cropped screenshot.

You must also provide:

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

Companies House requires ACSPs to collect this information and retain the required verification evidence for seven years.

Step 2: Confirm the Document Combination

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

The review may cover:

• whether the Malaysian passport is biometric and machine-readable;
• whether the passport chip works;
• whether the passport matches MYS-AO-03001 or another relevant model;
• whether the passport has five-year or ten-year validity;
• whether the passport has expired;
• whether the passport was cancelled or replaced;
• whether the applicant proposes MyKad as a formal document;
• whether the applicant proposes a Malaysian driving licence formally;
• physical condition of each document;
• Malay patronymic name structure;
• bin and binti variations;
• Chinese name order;
• a/l, a/p, s/o and d/o variations;
• East Malaysian names using anak;
• several and shortened names;
• former and married names;
• Malaysian and foreign passport versions;
• current residential address; and
• previous 12 months of address history.

Where the proposed evidence does 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;
• the documents appear genuine;
• the identity belongs to you; and
• the evidence meets the Companies House standard.

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 submit copies of the documents to Companies House.

However, it must keep:

• copies of documents;
• supporting evidence;
• records of checks;
• details of failed verification attempts; and
• other required verification information.

The records must be retained for seven years from the date the identity verification is completed.

Step 5: Receive Your Personal Code

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

Make sure that:

• the email address is correct;
• you can access the account;
• you check the spam or junk folder; and
• you keep the code secure.

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

How Malaysian Directors Use the Personal Code

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

A director of more than one company must connect the code separately to each company.

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 normally verify your identity only once.

However, you must connect the same code to every separate director appointment.

How Malaysian 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.

Director and PSC of the Same Company

A person who acts as both director and PSC must provide the code separately for each role.

As a director, the person provides the code through the company’s confirmation statement.

As a PSC, the person provides it during the applicable 14-day period beginning on the day after the company’s confirmation statement date.

PSC Who Is Not a Director of the Same Company

A PSC who is not a director of the same company normally provides the code during the first 14 days of their birth month.

New PSC

A new PSC can provide the code when first added to the register or within 14 days of being added.

The same personal code can cover several companies and roles.

However, it must be connected separately to every relevant director and PSC position.

How Our Legal Consultant Can Help

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

• reviewing Malaysian biometric passports;
• checking whether a passport matches MYS-AO-03001;
• reviewing older Malaysian passport models;
• checking five-year and ten-year passports;
• assessing whether a passport should work through GOV.UK One Login;
• checking whether the passport chip can be used;
• reviewing expired Malaysian passports;
• checking whether a passport has been cancelled or replaced;
• reviewing MyKad as supplementary evidence;
• explaining why MyKad does not automatically qualify as Group A;
• reviewing Malaysian driving licences as supplementary evidence;
• explaining why the Malaysian driving licence does not automatically qualify;
• reviewing MyDigital ID information;
• reviewing Malaysian Emergency Certificates;
• distinguishing ordinary, diplomatic and official passports;
• explaining why a MyKad number is not the Companies House personal code;
• confirming the correct Group A and Group B combination;
• reviewing Malaysian bank statements and address documents;
• checking Malaysian utility bills;
• checking Malaysian birth certificates;
• checking non-Muslim marriage certificates;
• checking Muslim marriage certificates;
• reviewing documents issued in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak;
• reviewing foreign certificates for Malaysians born or married abroad;
• reviewing Malay names using bin and binti;
• reviewing Malaysian Chinese name order;
• reviewing Indian Malaysian patronymic names;
• reviewing a/l, a/p, s/o and d/o variations;
• reviewing East Malaysian names using anak;
• checking several and shortened name forms;
• connecting married and former names;
• comparing Malaysian and foreign passports;
• 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

Ginkgo Advisory and our 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 Malaysian Passport?

Yes.

A Malaysian passport provides Group A photographic identity evidence.

The current ordinary passport model is MYS-AO-03001.

Is the Malaysian Passport Biometric?

Current Malaysian International Passports are electronic passports and use biometric-chip technology.

Check the front cover for the international biometric-passport symbol.

Can I Use My Malaysian Passport in the GOV.UK One Login App?

Potentially.

The app accepts a non-UK passport containing a compatible biometric chip.

The chip, passport photograph and facial comparison must all pass the app’s checks.

What If the Passport Chip Does Not Work?

The passport may still qualify through an ACSP.

A person-led Option 2 check may be available where the original document can be examined and validated.

How Long Is a Malaysian Passport Valid?

Malaysia currently issues:

• five-year passports; and
• ten-year passports for eligible adults.

Applicants under 18 are not eligible for ten-year validity.

Check the expiry date printed in the passport.

Can I Use a Five-Year Malaysian Passport?

Yes, where it remains current and passes the required checks.

Can I Use a Ten-Year Malaysian Passport?

Yes, where it remains current and passes the required checks.

Can I Use an Expired Malaysian Passport?

Potentially.

Option 1 may allow a biometric or machine-readable passport expired by up to six months.

Person-led Option 2 may allow a passport expired by up to 18 months.

The passport must not have been cancelled or replaced.

Can I Use a Cancelled Malaysian Passport?

No.

A cancelled passport may provide historical evidence but cannot provide current formal identity evidence.

Can I Use a Lost Passport That I Later Recovered?

No.

A passport reported lost or stolen should not be used.

Can I Use a Malaysian Passport Issued Through the London Office?

Yes, subject to the normal checks.

It remains a Malaysian International Passport issued through the competent Malaysian authorities.

Can I Use a Malaysian Emergency Certificate?

Do not rely on it as the routine Group A document.

An Emergency Certificate is normally issued for a restricted return journey to Malaysia.

Can I Use My MyKad?

Do not rely on MyKad as one of the two formal documents under the current published route.

PRADO does not currently list it.

MyKad may provide useful supplementary evidence.

Is MyKad Group B?

No.

A foreign national identity card does not appear in the published Companies House Group B list.

Can I Use an Expired or Replaced MyKad?

It may provide historical information, but it should not be used as the formal current evidence.

Use a current passport and another accepted document.

Can I Use My MyKad Number?

No.

The MyKad number is a personal identifier rather than a photographic identity document.

It is also different from the Companies House personal code.

Can I Use MyDigital ID?

Do not rely on MyDigital ID as the formal document.

MyDigital ID does not replace MyKad and is intended for secure online authentication.

Can I Use a MyDigital ID Screenshot?

No.

A screenshot or successful login does not replace an accepted Group A or Group B document.

Can I Use My Malaysian Driving Licence?

Do not rely on it as the formal second Group A document under the current published route.

PRADO does not currently list a Malaysian driving licence, and Malaysia is outside the Companies House UK and EU driving-licence categories.

The ACSP may review it as supplementary evidence.

Can I Use My Digital MyJPJ Driving Licence?

Do not rely on the digital version alone.

A MyJPJ screen does not change the current Companies House document categories.

Can I Use a Malaysian Military or Police ID?

Do not assume that it qualifies.

It may provide supplementary government-issued identity information, but it is not automatically included in the published Group A or Group B lists.

Can I Use a Malaysian Bank Statement?

Potentially.

A bank statement falls within Group B.

The statement must be genuine, complete, clear and capable of validation.

Can I Use a Malaysian Utility Bill?

Potentially.

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

Can I Use a Malaysian Mortgage Statement?

Potentially.

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

Can I Use a Malaysian Insurance Policy?

Potentially.

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

Can I Use a Malaysian Birth Certificate?

Potentially.

An official Malaysian birth certificate or certified birth-register extract falls within the Group B birth-certificate category.

Can I Use a Sabah or Sarawak Birth Certificate?

Potentially.

The exact registration system and document may differ from Peninsular Malaysia.

Provide the complete official certificate for individual review.

Can I Use a Foreign Birth Certificate?

Potentially.

Provide the complete official certificate together with any required translation, authentication and Malaysian linking evidence.

Can I Use a Malaysian Marriage Certificate?

Potentially.

An official Malaysian marriage certificate falls within the Group B marriage-certificate category.

Can I Use a Muslim Marriage Certificate?

Potentially.

Use the full official certificate issued by the relevant state Islamic religious authority.

A pocket marriage card alone may not provide the same complete evidence.

Can I Use a Non-Muslim JPN Marriage Certificate?

Potentially.

Provide the complete official JPN marriage certificate.

Can I Use a Foreign Marriage Certificate?

Potentially.

Provide the complete official certificate together with any required translation, authentication and Malaysian linking evidence.

Do Malaysian Documents Need an English Translation?

Some documents may require translation.

Malaysian passports and MyKad contain Latin-script information.

Birth certificates, marriage certificates, bank statements, court orders and other documents may contain important information in Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese, Tamil or another language.

Provide both the original and English translation where requested.

What If My Name Contains Bin or Binti?

Provide the complete passport and supporting documents.

Bin or binti is normally part of a Malay patronymic structure. A UK system may omit it or treat the father’s name as a surname.

What If Companies House Omits Bin or Binti?

A record without bin or binti may still refer to the same person.

The ACSP should compare the passport, MyKad, birth certificate and Companies House record.

What If My Chinese Name Is Reversed?

A Malaysian Chinese name may place the family name first, while a UK record places it last.

Provide the complete passport so the correct family and personal names can be identified.

What If I Use an English Name as Well as My Chinese Name?

Provide documents showing both versions.

The ACSP must determine whether the English name is legally recorded or used only socially or professionally.

What If My Name Contains A/L or A/P?

Provide the complete passport and supporting documents.

A/l and a/p indicate a patronymic relationship and may be omitted or reformatted in UK records.

What If One Record Uses S/O and Another Uses A/L?

The forms may describe the same patronymic relationship.

The ACSP should compare all other identity details.

What If My Name Contains Anak?

Provide the complete passport and civil-status evidence.

Anak may be part of an East Malaysian patronymic structure and should not automatically be treated as a conventional surname.

What If Companies House Omits One of My Names?

Provide the passport and supporting evidence.

A shortened company record may still relate to the same identity.

What If I Use Only One of Several Given Names?

Provide evidence showing your complete registered name.

The ACSP must connect the everyday name to the full passport identity.

What If I Use a Married Name in the United Kingdom?

Provide:

• current Malaysian passport;
• MyKad;
• marriage certificate;
• foreign passport where relevant;
• former passport; and
• documents showing the name used at Companies House.

Does Marriage Automatically Change a Malaysian Name?

No universal rule applies to every Malaysian.

Many Malaysian women retain their registered name after marriage, while others use a spouse’s surname socially, professionally or under another nationality.

What If I Have Malaysian and British Passports With Different Names?

Provide both passports and the documents connecting the names.

The ACSP should determine the current legal identity and explain the difference.

What If My Date of Birth at Companies House Is Wrong?

Correct the Companies House record before attempting to connect the personal code.

The date of birth linked to the code must match the company record.

What If My MyKad Shows an Old Address?

Use a suitable current Group B address document.

The applicant must provide their actual current residential address and the previous 12 months of address history.

Can I Verify My Identity While Living in Malaysia?

Yes.

An ACSP can complete the check remotely where the document combination meets 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 document and identity features.

Must I Post My Original Malaysian 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 the director role and PSC role.

Can You Complete the Verification on the Same Day?

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where:

• we approve the document set in advance;
• the applicant provides all required information;
• the documents pass the necessary checks;
• the Companies House record matches;
• the applicant completes the video call; and
• no unresolved identity or compliance concern remains.

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

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

Malaysian nationals will usually have one of these practical document routes:

• Malaysian biometric passport plus accepted Group B supporting document;
• Malaysian passport plus valid UK photocard driving licence;
• Malaysian passport plus eligible UK immigration document;
• Malaysian passport plus another current passport held through dual nationality; or
• one eligible Malaysian biometric or machine-readable passport under a suitable technology-led Option 1 process.

Malaysian applicants should not currently rely on MyKad or a Malaysian driving licence as the formal second Group A document.

PRADO does not currently list either document.

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

• passport chip that cannot be read;
• older Malaysian passport;
• expired passport;
• cancelled or replaced passport;
• lost or stolen passport;
• Malaysian Emergency Certificate;
• only MyKad as the second photographic document;
• only a Malaysian driving licence as the second photographic document;
• only a MyJPJ digital licence;
• expired or replaced MyKad;
• only a MyKad number;
• only MyDigital ID;
• Malay name containing bin or binti;
• Malaysian Chinese name shown in different order;
• Indian Malaysian name containing a/l or a/p;
• East Malaysian name containing anak;
• several name elements shortened in UK records;
• English and Malaysian versions of the name;
• married or former name;
• Malaysian and foreign passports with different names;
• birth or marriage registered in Sabah or Sarawak;
• overseas birth or marriage;
• incorrect date of birth;
• current address different from the MyKad address; 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 identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where the applicant provides a complete and suitable document set.