Companies House identity verification has introduced several new steps for UK company directors and people with significant control, known as PSCs.

The identity check itself is only one part of the process.

You may also need to:

• find your Companies House personal code;
• give the code to the person filing your confirmation statement;
• provide the same code separately for a PSC role;
• correct an inaccurate date of birth;
• connect WebFiling with GOV.UK One Login; or
• resolve problems caused by old shared company accounts.

Companies House has now published specific practical guidance because customers are asking for help both with identity verification and with filing confirmation statements.

This guide explains the main problems and what to check before a filing deadline.

Quick Answer: What Should You Check First?

Before filing your company’s next confirmation statement, check that:

• the Companies House information for every director is correct;
• outdated information has been updated;
• every director has completed identity verification;
• every director has received their personal code;
• the person filing the confirmation statement has all directors’ personal codes; and
• each director’s date of birth matches the information linked to their verified identity.

Companies House states that the confirmation statement will be rejected if the required identity verification steps have not been completed.

The date-of-birth issue deserves particular attention.

Companies House says that if a director’s date of birth is wrong or does not match the register, the company may not be able to file its confirmation statement. A correction can take up to 20 working days to process.

Do not wait until the confirmation statement deadline to discover an identity verification or date-of-birth problem.

Why Can a Confirmation Statement Be Rejected?

Companies House now requires identity verification information as part of the confirmation statement process for directors who fall within the mandatory regime.

Before filing, the company must:

1. check that its information is correct;
2. update anything that is wrong or out of date;
3. make sure every director has completed identity verification and received a Companies House personal code; and
4. provide each director’s personal code in the confirmation statement.

If these steps have not been completed, Companies House says the confirmation statement will be rejected.

Does Every Director Need a Personal Code?

Yes, where the director is subject to the mandatory identity verification requirements.

Each director verifies their identity as an individual and receives their own 11-character Companies House personal code.

The code does not belong to the company.

If a company has three directors, the filing person may therefore need three separate personal codes for the confirmation statement.

What If Someone Else Files the Confirmation Statement?

The director does not necessarily need to file personally.

For example, the confirmation statement may be filed by:

• an accountant;
• solicitor;
• company secretary;
• authorised company administrator;
• company formation agent; or
• another trusted person.

However, Companies House states that all directors must share their personal codes with the person making the filing so that the required codes can be included in the company’s confirmation statement.

This does not mean the filing person owns the codes.

Each code remains personal to the individual director.

Do I Need to Verify My Identity Again Every Year?

Normally, no.

If you have already completed identity verification successfully, you do not normally repeat the full identity check every time the company files a confirmation statement.

Instead, you use your existing personal code for the roles that you hold.

Companies House specifically states that someone who has already verified their identity does not need to do it again simply because another filing is due.

However, the personal code still needs to be connected to each relevant role.

Director and PSC? You Must Use the Personal Code Twice

This is one of the most important practical rules.

Many small-company owners are both:

• a director; and
• a PSC.

If this applies to you, you only complete the underlying identity verification once.

You receive one personal code.

However, the same code must normally be provided:

1. once for your director role through the company’s confirmation statement; and
2. separately for your PSC role through the Companies House PSC verification service.

Companies House expressly warns that the code must be provided twice where the same person is both director and PSC.

Example

Helen is:

• director of ABC Limited; and
• PSC of ABC Limited.

She verifies her identity once and receives one personal code.

ABC Limited uses that code in its confirmation statement for Helen’s director appointment.

Helen or someone acting for her must then provide the same personal code again through the separate PSC service.

The first filing does not automatically complete the second role.

How Do PSCs Provide Their Personal Code?

People with significant control use the separate Provide identity verification details for a person with significant control service.

The PSC must provide the personal code by the deadline applying to that particular PSC role.

Companies House advises users to check the company register to see the due date for each role they hold.

This is important because a person can be:

• director and PSC of one company;
• PSC only of another company; and
• director only of a third company.

The same personal code may work across all those roles, but the compliance dates can be different.

Does the Personal Code Go in the Annual Accounts?

Not currently.

Companies House states that you do not currently need to provide your personal code for other filings, including annual accounts.

This is an important distinction.

At present, do not confuse:

• confirmation statement identity verification requirements;
• PSC personal-code requirements; and
• annual accounts.

They are separate filing processes.

Do Company Secretaries Need Identity Verification?

Not currently.

Companies House’s published help guidance states that company secretaries do not currently need to verify their identity under these requirements.

A company secretary may still be involved in filing documents for the company.

That does not make the secretary subject to the director or PSC identity verification requirement merely because they perform administrative filings.

Where Do I Find My Companies House Personal Code?

How you find the code depends on how you completed identity verification.

If you verified using GOV.UK One Login, your code can normally be accessed through your Companies House account.

If an ACSP verified your identity, Companies House sends the personal code to the individual email address supplied by the ACSP.

Companies House has published separate detailed guidance explaining where to find personal codes.

What If I Cannot Find My Personal Code?

Check:

• the email address used during verification;
• your Companies House account;
• your spam or junk folder;
• whether you actually completed the verification successfully; and
• whether an ACSP entered the correct email address for you.

If an ACSP completed your verification, contact that ACSP and ask them to confirm the email address supplied to Companies House.

Check Your Date of Birth Before the Filing Deadline

A wrong date of birth can create a much larger problem than many directors expect.

Before submitting a personal code, Companies House advises you to make sure that the personal information on its register matches the details used for identity verification.

This includes your date of birth.

What Happens If My Date of Birth Is Wrong?

If Companies House holds the wrong date of birth, a director or PSC may not be able to complete the required identity-verification connection until the record has been corrected.

This can prevent a confirmation statement from being filed successfully.

The solution is not simply to keep entering the personal code.

The underlying record needs to be corrected.

How Long Can a Date-of-Birth Correction Take?

Companies House states that corrections can take up to 20 working days to process.

That can amount to around four working weeks.

This makes early checking extremely important.

For example, suppose your confirmation statement is due in ten days.

You discover that Companies House records:

14 March 1981

but the identity verification record and passport show:

14 March 1982

You may need to correct the Companies House record and then wait for that correction to appear before successfully providing your personal code.

A correction process that can take up to 20 working days creates an obvious risk if you only discover the problem shortly before the filing deadline.

Do I Need to Wait Until the Register Updates?

Yes.

Companies House specifically states that you need to wait until the register shows the corrected information before providing your personal code.

Do not assume that submitting a correction application immediately makes the new information effective for identity verification.

Check that the public Companies House record actually shows the update.

Why Do Personal-Code Mismatches Happen?

Common causes include:

• an incorrect date of birth entered when the company was formed;
• an old filing containing a typo;
• day and month being reversed;
• incorrect information submitted by an agent;
• name changes;
• married and former surnames;
• missing middle names;
• international name transliteration differences;
• a different spelling used during identity verification; or
• incorrect information supplied by an ACSP.

Where an ACSP completed the identity verification, contact the ACSP if the information linked to the personal code appears to be wrong.

Confirmation Statement Checklist

Before trying to file the confirmation statement, make sure:

• every director has verified their identity;
• each director has their own personal code;
• the filing person has received every director’s code;
• every director’s date of birth is correct;
• the Companies House register reflects any corrections;
• the company’s other registered information is up to date; and
• anyone who is also a PSC understands that a separate PSC submission may still be required.

A few minutes spent checking these items early can avoid a rejected filing close to the deadline.

WebFiling and Companies House Account Problems

Companies House is also changing how WebFiling accounts interact with GOV.UK One Login.

This creates another source of confusion for existing companies.

Use the Same Email Address

If you have:

• a WebFiling account; and
• a Companies House account for the Find and update company information service,

Companies House says you should make sure they use the same email address.

If the addresses differ, you need to change one so that they match.

Why Does the Email Address Matter?

When you sign in to WebFiling, Companies House redirects you so that the account can be connected with GOV.UK One Login.

If you already have GOV.UK One Login, you can sign in and connect the account.

If you do not have GOV.UK One Login, the system prompts you to create one.

Where you already have a Companies House Find and update account that has not been connected to GOV.UK One Login, you may be able to connect the accounts during this process.

What If Several People Share One WebFiling Account?

This is especially important for established family businesses and small companies.

Historically, several directors, administrators or family members may have shared the same WebFiling credentials.

The new system changes that arrangement.

Companies House states that only one person can connect each WebFiling account to their GOV.UK One Login.

Other people who previously shared that WebFiling account will need to create their own GOV.UK One Login using different email addresses.

They will no longer continue accessing company information through the old shared account in the same way.

Example

A company has three directors:

• James;
• Mary; and
• David.

For years, all three used:

office@company.co.uk

to access one WebFiling account.

Under the new structure, James connects that WebFiling account to his individual GOV.UK One Login.

Mary and David cannot both connect the same shared WebFiling account to their individual One Login identities.

They need their own GOV.UK One Login accounts using separate email addresses.

Does Every Director Need Their Own Email Address?

For individual GOV.UK One Login identity verification, each person’s identity needs to be associated with their own login arrangements.

In practice, do not try to use one shared business email identity for several directors’ personal GOV.UK One Login accounts.

Use an email address that is controlled by the individual and can be accessed when:

• signing in;
• receiving security information;
• accessing a personal code; or
• dealing with Companies House identity matters.

What If I Am Not Confident Using GOV.UK One Login?

You can ask someone to help.

Companies House specifically says that a person can assist you by:

• letting you use their phone or computer;
• helping you download and use the GOV.UK One Login app;
• helping you scan your identity document; and
• helping you take the required photographs.

However, the helper does not become the person being verified.

The identity check still relates to you.

Can My Family Member Help Me?

Yes.

For example, an adult child may help an older director:

• access a suitable smartphone;
• install the app;
• understand instructions;
• position the passport correctly;
• scan the identity document; or
• navigate the GOV.UK website.

The applicant must still complete the identity check as themselves.

What If I Do Not Have a Suitable Smartphone?

GOV.UK One Login is not the only route.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be offered:

• another GOV.UK One Login method;
• Post Office verification; or
• the option of using an ACSP.

An ACSP may provide a practical alternative for someone who:

• is not comfortable with GOV.UK One Login;
• does not have a compatible phone;
• lives overseas;
• has an unsupported document;
• repeatedly fails the online check; or
• wants a person-led verification process.

What Is an ACSP?

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider is a Companies House authorised agent.

ACSPs include regulated businesses such as:

• solicitors;
• accountants; and
• company service providers.

An ACSP can verify an individual’s identity and submit the successful verification to Companies House.

The ACSP route is separate from GOV.UK One Login.

When Might an ACSP Be Useful?

An ACSP can be particularly useful where:

• GOV.UK One Login does not work;
• the passport chip cannot be scanned;
• the applicant lives outside the UK;
• the applicant does not have UK financial history;
• the applicant has a complex international document set;
• an overseas identity document requires individual review;
• the applicant has a name mismatch;
• the date of birth needs checking;
• the applicant wants documents reviewed before attempting verification; or
• the applicant needs help understanding the director and PSC processes.

Remote Companies House Identity Verification

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

Through our partner solicitor, remote identity verification by video call can be arranged for suitable directors and PSCs.

A remote process may include:

1. preliminary review of the identity documents;
2. checking the Companies House record;
3. collecting the required personal information;
4. arranging a video appointment;
5. inspecting original documents;
6. completing a live facial comparison;
7. completing the required identity checks; and
8. submitting the successful verification to Companies House.

Same-day identity checks and ACSP submission may be available where the document set is complete and no unresolved issue arises.

Companies House controls the later processing and delivery of the personal code.

What Information Should I Check Before an ACSP Appointment?

Prepare:

• full legal name;
• all former names;
• date of birth;
• current residential address;
• address history for the previous 12 months;
• personal email address;
• company number;
• director and PSC roles; and
• suitable identity documents.

It is also useful to check the public Companies House record before the appointment.

If the date of birth is wrong, identifying that issue before verification may prevent significant problems later.

Common Companies House Identity Verification Problems

1. Personal Code Not Received

Check the email used during verification and the Companies House account.

If an ACSP completed the check, confirm which email address the ACSP supplied.

2. Personal Code Does Not Work

Check:

• the 11-character code;
• date of birth;
• name;
• Companies House record; and
• information used during verification.

3. Confirmation Statement Is Rejected

Confirm that:

• every director is verified;
• every director’s code has been entered; and
• the registered details match the verification information.

Companies House expressly warns that the filing will be rejected if these requirements have not been met.

4. Director Is Also a PSC

Use the code twice:

• once as director; and
• once separately as PSC.

5. Wrong Date of Birth

Correct it immediately.

Companies House says the correction can take up to 20 working days.

6. WebFiling and Companies House Emails Are Different

Change one so that the same email address is used for both accounts before connecting them.

7. Several People Share One WebFiling Account

The old shared-account arrangement may no longer work.

Each individual may need their own GOV.UK One Login and email address.

8. Director Does Not Use Smartphones

Another person can help with a device and app, or the director can explore another available verification route.

9. Overseas Director Cannot Use GOV.UK One Login

Consider whether an ACSP can complete the identity verification remotely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Companies House Rejecting My Confirmation Statement?

One possible reason is incomplete director identity verification.

Before the confirmation statement can be filed, Companies House requires every director to have completed identity verification and the filing must include the relevant personal codes.

Does Every Director Need to Verify?

Directors who fall within the mandatory identity verification regime need to complete verification and connect their verified identities to their appointments.

Does Every Director Need a Separate Personal Code?

Yes.

The personal code belongs to the individual.

Several directors cannot share one personal code.

Can My Accountant Enter My Personal Code?

Yes.

If your accountant or another person files the confirmation statement, directors can give their personal codes to that filing person.

Can My Solicitor File the Confirmation Statement Using My Code?

Yes, where they are authorised to make the filing and have the required information.

Do I Verify Again Every Year?

Normally, no.

Once you have successfully completed identity verification, you use your existing personal code for the roles you hold.

I Am Director and PSC. Do I Need Two Codes?

No.

You use the same personal code.

However, you normally provide it twice:

• once for the director role; and
• once separately for the PSC role.

Can the Confirmation Statement Complete My PSC Verification?

No.

The PSC role uses a separate service.

Where Can I Check My PSC Deadline?

Check the Companies House register for the due dates attached to the roles you hold.

Do I Need My Personal Code for Annual Accounts?

Not currently.

Companies House expressly states that personal codes are not currently required for other filings, including annual accounts.

Does a Company Secretary Need Identity Verification?

Not currently under the requirements described in this Companies House guidance.

What If My Date of Birth Is Wrong?

Correct the Companies House record.

You may not be able to complete the required identity-verification connection until the information matches.

How Long Does a Companies House DOB Correction Take?

Companies House states that corrections can take up to 20 working days.

Can I Provide My Personal Code Before the DOB Correction Appears?

Companies House says you should wait until the register shows the updated details before providing the personal code.

Why Does My Personal Code Not Match My Companies House Record?

Possible reasons include:

• incorrect DOB;
• name mismatch;
• incorrect information submitted during verification; or
• an error in the existing company record.

Do My WebFiling and Companies House Accounts Need the Same Email?

Yes.

Companies House says the two accounts should use the same email address before they are connected.

What Happens When I Sign in to WebFiling?

You may be redirected to connect the WebFiling account with GOV.UK One Login.

If you do not have GOV.UK One Login, the system may prompt you to create one.

Can Several Directors Still Share One WebFiling Account?

The new account-linking structure creates restrictions.

Companies House says only one person can connect each WebFiling account to their GOV.UK One Login. Other people who shared the account will need their own GOV.UK One Login using different email addresses.

Can Someone Help an Elderly Director Use GOV.UK One Login?

Yes.

Another person can help with the phone, computer, app, ID scanning and photographs.

Can Someone Else Complete the Facial Verification for Me?

No.

The helper can assist with the technology, but the person being verified still needs to prove their own identity.

What If I Cannot Use GOV.UK One Login?

An ACSP may offer an alternative route.

Can an ACSP Verify Me Remotely?

Potentially, yes.

A suitable ACSP may provide remote identity verification where its process satisfies the Companies House identity verification standard.

Can an Overseas Director Use an ACSP?

Yes, subject to suitable documents and the required checks.

Must I Send My Original Passport to the UK?

Usually not for a suitable remote video process.

The ACSP may review copies first and then inspect the original document during the live video call.

Can Companies House Verification Be Completed the Same Day?

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

• suitable documents have been reviewed;
• all required information is available;
• the live verification succeeds;
• there is no unresolved mismatch; and
• all required checks can be completed.

Companies House controls the later processing and delivery of the personal code.

Need Help With Companies House Identity Verification?

Many Companies House identity verification problems are not caused by the identity check itself.

The difficulty may instead involve:

• the personal code;
• a director who is also a PSC;
• an incorrect date of birth;
• a rejected confirmation statement;
• a missing code;
• a WebFiling account;
• conflicting email addresses;
• shared account access; or
• an overseas director who cannot use GOV.UK One Login.

The safest approach is to check the Companies House record well before the filing deadline.

In particular:

Check every director’s date of birth early. Companies House states that a correction may take up to 20 working days.

Our Legal Consultant and partner solicitor can review the identity documents, check the relevant Companies House information, confirm the most suitable verification route and arrange remote identity verification by video call where appropriate.