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:

• 被任命为英国公司董事的人
• 登记为具重大控制权人士（PSC）的人
• 参与设立、拥有、经营或控制英国公司的人

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
• 安排通过视频通话进行远程身份验证
• handling submission through the appropriate ACSP route
• 协助您更高效地取得 Companies House 个人代码

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

身份验证服务由我们的法律顾问及合作律师向您提供。银杏顾问则负责流程协调、客户沟通及实际个案处理支持。

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.