Written by Hammad Rasool MAAT·AAT licensed accountant·Updated November 2026

Who has to verify

Identity verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025. It applies to you personally, not to your company, and it covers:

  • New companies: every director needs a Companies House personal code before the company can be registered.
  • New directors: you must verify before you are appointed.
  • Existing directors: you give your personal code in the company's next confirmation statement, and you do this for each company you are a director of.
  • People with significant control who are also directors: you provide your code for the PSC role within 14 days, starting the day after the confirmation statement date.
  • People with significant control who are not directors: you provide your code within the first 14 days of your birth month.

The 12 month transition period began on 18 November 2025, so most existing directors should already have a personal code. If you do not, now is the time to sort it out.

What happens if you do not verify

Companies House guidance is blunt. It is unlawful to act as a director without verifying, and the company may also be breaking the law. Companies House first sends a default letter. After that it can issue financial penalties or refer the case for prosecution, which can lead to a criminal conviction, a fine and disqualification as a director.

This is already being enforced. On 16 September 2026 three directors were fined at City of London Magistrates' Court in the first prosecutions for identity verification offences.

Two ways to verify

  1. Do it yourself, free, with GOV.UK One Login. You can use the app, answer security questions online, or enter your ID details and visit a participating Post Office. You need ID that the service accepts, such as a biometric passport or a UK photo driving licence.
  2. Use an authorised agent. Companies House calls these Authorised Corporate Service Providers, or ACSPs. An accountant who is registered as one can verify you and tell Companies House. Agents are allowed to charge a fee, and this route can be used from any country.

If you have a UK passport or driving licence and a smartphone, the free GOV.UK route usually works and you do not need us.

When using an agent makes sense

  • The app will not accept your ID: or the online checks keep failing.
  • You do not hold the ID GOV.UK asks for: an agent can work from photo ID plus a second document.
  • You live outside the UK: overseas directors and people with significant control can be verified through an agent, using at least 1 government issued document.
  • Several people need verifying: one firm handles every director and files the codes.
  • You are forming a company: each director needs a code before we can register the company.

How it works with us

  1. Get in touch: tell us who needs verifying and which companies are involved.
  2. Send your details and documents: we will tell you exactly what we need. It is normally photo ID such as a passport or driving licence, and usually a second document such as a recent bank statement or utility bill showing your address. We also need your full name, date of birth, home address and email address.
  3. We carry out the check: we examine the documents and confirm that you match your photo ID. This is done remotely or in person.
  4. We tell Companies House: once we are satisfied, we submit the verification from our authorised agent account.
  5. You receive your personal code: Companies House emails it straight to you.

Start my identity check on WhatsApp

What it costs

£100 per person, fixed. That covers the identity check, the submission to Companies House and, if you are a person with significant control, filing your personal code for you. There is no VAT to add.

Your personal code

The Companies House personal code is 11 characters long. It belongs to you, not to your company, and you use the same code for every company you are involved with. Keep it safe. You can share it with someone you trust to file on your behalf, such as your accountant.

Who carries out the check

The check is carried out by Hammad Rasool MAAT, an AAT licensed accountant who is registered with Companies House as an authorised agent and supervised by AAT for anti money laundering. When your verified identity is linked to your record, the public register shows the name of the agent, the supervisory body and the date of the check. We keep copies of the documents for 7 years, as Companies House requires.

Related: company formation · confirmation statements explained · Companies House deadlines · starting a limited company.

Common questions

Is it free to verify my identity for Companies House?
Yes, if you do it yourself through GOV.UK One Login. An authorised agent may charge a fee. Our fee is £100 per person.
Can you verify a director who lives abroad?
Yes. The authorised agent route can be used from any country. A person who lives outside the UK must provide at least 1 government issued document.
What documents do I need?
Normally photo ID such as a passport or driving licence, and usually a second document such as a recent bank statement or utility bill showing your current address. We confirm exactly what is needed before you send anything.
How do I get my Companies House personal code?
Companies House emails the 11 character code to the email address we give them for you, once we have submitted your verification.
Do I have to verify again for each company?
No. You verify once and use the same personal code for every company. You do need to give the code in the confirmation statement of each company you are a director of.
What if I have already missed my date?
Verify as soon as you can. It is unlawful to act as a director without verifying, and Companies House can issue penalties or refer cases for prosecution.

Checked against GOV.UK on 10 November 2026: Verify your identity for Companies House, When you need to verify, Personal codes, Identity verification standard for agents, Approach to non compliance, First prosecutions, 17 September 2026.

About the author

Hammad Rasool MAAT is an AAT licensed accountant based in Bolton. TaxTune Accountants looks after sole traders, landlords, contractors and limited companies in Bolton, Wigan, Bury, Salford, Oldham, Stockport and Manchester, and online across the UK.