About the Author
Kwok is a practising solicitor based in London, admitted in England & Wales and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. He is registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and admitted in Hong Kong (non-practising). Kwok has worked as legal counsel and in-house solicitor across leading firms and corporations. He personally oversees every apostille and legalisation case at Ginkgo Advisory, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and end-to-end quality control. He is registered with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
Kwok Lam
Legal Consultant of Ginkgo Advisory
If you are an Indian 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 requirement forms part of the UK’s company law reforms. As a result, it helps make company information more reliable and harder to misuse.
Once you complete identity verification successfully, Companies House issues your personal code. You then use that personal code to link your verified identity to your role within the Companies House system.
Remote Identity Verification: Two Documents Required
When an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) checks identity remotely or in person, the checker must feel satisfied that the process is strong enough to validate the documents provided.
Very Important
You must provide 2 documents in total. More specifically, you must provide either:
- 2 photographic identity documents from Group A, or
- 1 photographic identity document from Group A and 1 document from Group B
Group A Photographic ID for Indian Nationals
For Indian nationality cases, the key point is simple. Companies House accepts certain photographic identity documents under Group A, including a passport and other photographic ID listed on PRADO.
For Indian nationals, the relevant PRADO-listed photographic documents are:
1. Indian Passport (First Issued On: 01/06/2000)
2. Indian Driving Licence (First Issued On: 01/01/2017)
Not included in this version
By contrast, this version does not include:
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID Card
- ABHA Card
- OCI Card
- PIO Card
- PAN Card
This point is very important. Many clients assume that other Indian identity documents can serve as the main identity document for this route. However, that assumption can cause delay. Therefore, it is better to prepare an acceptable document set from the outset.
Group B Supporting Documents
If you use only one Group A photographic document, you can use a Group B document as the second document, subject to the Companies House standard.
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. Likewise, it depends on whether the document set is strong enough for remote checking.
Who Needs Companies House Identity Verification?
This requirement is especially relevant for Indian nationals who:
- act as a director of a UK company
- act as a person with significant control (PSC)
- help set up, own, run, or control a UK company
If you fall within one of these categories, you should prepare the correct documents before the verification starts. This matters even more when you plan to complete the check remotely.
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, we can arrange verification remotely by video call. In suitable cases, we can also arrange same day verification when the document set is ready.
Therefore, this can offer a practical solution for overseas Indian directors and PSCs who want a clear route, efficient handling, and minimal delay.
How Our Legal Consultant Can Help
Our Legal Consultant can help Indian 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 route works well because it combines document review, remote verification, and proper submission through the correct channel.
Ginkgo Advisory’s Role
Our Legal Consultant and partner solicitor provide the identity verification service.
At the same time, Ginkgo Advisory supports the process through coordination, client communications, and practical case handling.
Why This Route Matters for Indian Directors and PSCs
For Indian nationals involved in UK companies, the key issue is not simply whether documents are available.
Instead, the key issue is whether the document set:
- fits the Companies House identity verification standard
- works for remote checking
- moves through the proper ACSP route
If you start with a clear structure, you can reduce delay, avoid document mismatch, and complete the process more smoothly.
Need Help With Companies House Identity Verification?
If you are an Indian national acting as a UK company director or PSC, it makes sense to check your document set before you start.
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.
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