American Nationals: UK Companies House Identity Verification for Directors and PSCs (2026 Guide)

If you are an American national acting as a director or person with significant control (PSC) of a UK company, you will usually need to complete Companies House identity verification. This forms part of the UK’s company law reforms and is designed to make company information more reliable and harder to misuse.

Companies House states that people who set up, run, own, or control a UK company will need to verify their identity. Once you complete your identity verification successfully, Companies House will issue your personal code. You will then use that personal code to link your verified identity to your role within the Companies House system.

Important Point for American Nationals

For American nationals, one point should be highlighted at the outset: it is best to prepare a document set that clearly fits the Companies House identity verification standard from the start.

For this purpose, the relevant PRADO-listed American identity documents focused on here are:

Passport — First issued on: 10/07/2020

PERMANENT RESIDENT — First issued on: 01/05/2010

This matters because many clients assume that any US identity-related document will automatically work for the process. In practice, the safer approach is to prepare an acceptable document combination from the beginning. Doing this can help reduce delay and make the verification process more straightforward.

Who Needs Companies House Identity Verification?

This requirement is especially relevant for American nationals who are:

• appointed as a director of a UK company
• registered as a person with significant control (PSC)
• involved in setting up, owning, running, or controlling a UK company

If you fall within one of these categories, it is important to prepare the correct documents before the verification starts, especially where the check will be completed remotely.

Remote Identity Verification: Two Documents Required

Where identity is checked remotely or in person by an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), the Companies House standard requires the checker to be satisfied that the process used is sufficient to validate the documents provided.

Under this route, the person being verified must provide 2 documents in total.

They must provide either:

• 2 photographic identity documents from Group A, or
• 1 photographic identity document from Group A and 1 document from Group B

Preparing the correct combination from the start can make the process smoother and help reduce delay.

Group A Photographic ID for American Nationals

For American nationality cases, the key point is that Companies House accepts certain photographic identity documents under Group A, including a passport and also another type of photographic ID listed on PRADO, the Council of the European Union’s Public Register of Authentic Identity and Travel Documents Online.

For American nationals, the relevant documents focused on here are:

1. Passport — First issued on: 10/07/2020
2. PERMANENT RESIDENT — First issued on: 01/05/2010

These are the key documents to focus on when preparing an American nationality case under this route.

In practice, PRADO is useful because it provides an official reference point for recognised identity documents. This helps support a more structured and reliable remote verification process.

Group B Supporting Documents

If only one Group A photographic document is used, the second document can come from Group B, subject to the Companies House standard.

For this purpose, the relevant examples include:

• birth certificate
• marriage certificate
• bank statement
• mortgage statement
• utility bill
• certain non-photographic immigration, visa, or work permit documents

The correct combination depends on the client’s circumstances and on whether the document set is strong enough for remote checking.

Same Day Remote Verification by Video Call

Our Legal Consultant is registered with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Through our partner solicitor, the verification can be arranged remotely by video call, including same day verification where the case is suitable and the document set is ready.

This can be a practical solution for overseas American directors and PSCs who want a clear route, efficient handling, and minimal delay.

How Our Legal Consultant Can Help

Our Legal Consultant can help American nationals with a practical and efficient route for Companies House identity verification by:

• reviewing whether your documents are suitable for remote verification
• confirming the correct document combination for the Companies House standard
• arranging remote verification by video call
• handling the submission through the proper ACSP route
• helping you move efficiently towards issuance of your Companies House personal code

For many overseas clients, this is the most practical route because it combines document review, remote verification, and proper submission through the correct channel.

Ginkgo Advisory’s Role

The identity verification service is provided to you by our Legal Consultant and partner solicitor. Ginkgo Advisory supports the process through coordination, client communications, and practical case handling.

Why This Route Matters for American Directors and PSCs

For American nationals involved in UK companies, the key issue is not simply having documents available. The key issue is using a document set that fits the Companies House identity verification standard, works for remote checking, and is handled through the proper ACSP route.

A clear structure from the start can reduce delay, avoid document mismatch, and help directors and PSCs complete the process more smoothly.

Need Help With Companies House Identity Verification?

If you are an American national acting as a UK company director or PSC, it is sensible to check your document set before starting the process. Using the correct documents at the outset can save time and reduce the risk of rejection or delay.

Our Legal Consultant and partner solicitor can help arrange a clear and efficient route for Companies House identity verification, including same day remote verification by video call where suitable.