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

If you are a Polish 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 intended 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 identity verification is completed successfully, Companies House will issue a personal code, which is then used to link the verified identity to the relevant role in the Companies House system.

Why this matters for Polish directors and PSCs

For Polish nationals, the key issue is not simply having identity documents available. The real issue is using a document set that fits the Companies House identity verification standard, works in practice for remote checking where relevant, and can be handled properly through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) route where that route is used. A clear document strategy from the outset can reduce delay, avoid document mismatch, and make the process smoother.

Who needs Companies House identity verification?

This requirement is especially relevant for Polish 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 into one of these categories, it is sensible to prepare your documents before the verification starts, especially if the check will be completed remotely through an ACSP.

Remote identity verification: document evidence matters

Under the Companies House identity verification standard, the person carrying out the check must gather evidence, assess the documents, and keep copies of the documents used for the identity check for 7 years. The checker does not submit the copies to Companies House as part of the verification filing, but must retain sufficient records.

In practical terms, this means the quality and suitability of the documents matter. For overseas clients, especially where the process is handled remotely, it is better to prepare a strong document set from the start rather than assume any national identity document will work equally well in every case. That is one reason PRADO is useful: it provides a structured public reference point for authentic identity and travel documents issued by participating countries.

PRADO-listed Polish identity documents: useful starting points

For Polish nationals, PRADO shows that Poland has a range of recognised identity and travel documents, including passports, national identity cards, driving licences, and certain residence-related documents. Relevant examples on the PRADO Poland register include:

• Polish passport

• Polish national identity card (Dowód osobisty / Identity card)

• Polish driving licence (Prawo jazdy)

• DOKUMENT POTWIERDZAJĄCY PRAWO STAŁEGO POBYTU / DOCUMENT CERTIFYING PERMANENT RESIDENCE

• KARTA STAŁEGO POBYTU / PERMANENT RESIDENCE CARD

These PRADO entries do not mean every document will always be sufficient on its own for every verification scenario. But they are useful reference points when assessing whether a document is part of a credible, recognisable document set for identity verification purposes.

ACSP route for Companies House identity verification

Companies House allows an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify identity. Solicitors, accountants, company formation agents, and chartered secretaries or governance professionals can act as ACSPs if AML supervision applies to them. Any business that verifies identity for clients through this route must register as an ACSP.

For many overseas directors and PSCs, the ACSP route is attractive because it can combine document review, identity checking, and submission through the proper filing channel in a more structured way.

Same-day remote verification by video call

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

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

How our Legal Consultant can help

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

• reviewing whether your documents appear suitable for remote verification
• confirming the strongest document combination for your circumstances
• arranging remote verification by video call
• handling submission through the appropriate 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.

Need help with Companies House identity verification?

If you are a Polish national acting as a UK company director or PSC, it is sensible to review your document set before starting the process. Using the right documents from the outset can save time and reduce the risk of 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.