Companies House ID Verification: Frequently Asked Questions for Directors and PSCs

Our earlier posts on this blog cover the deadlines, the PSC 14-day rule, and the consequences of non-compliance in detail. This one collects the shorter, practical questions directors and PSCs actually ask us once they've grasped the basics — the "does this apply to me" and "what exactly counts" questions that don't need a full article of their own but still deserve a properly sourced answer.

Scope: who does and doesn't need to verify

Does identity verification apply to overseas directors?

Yes. Nationality and residency don't exempt you. If you hold a biometric passport from any country, you can use the GOV.UK One Login service directly; if not, an Authorised Corporate Service Provider can verify you using a wider range of documents (Companies House).

Do sole traders need to verify their identity?

No. Companies House has confirmed: "Sole traders are not registered with Companies House and therefore do not need to verify their identity with us." The requirement applies to directors and PSCs of registered companies, not unincorporated sole traders.

Does this apply to dormant companies?

Yes. Dormant status affects your accounting and filing obligations, but it does not exempt a company's directors or PSCs from identity verification — the requirement is tied to your role (director or PSC), not the company's trading activity.

Do corporate directors or corporate PSCs need to verify?

Not currently. Companies House has confirmed there are presently no identity verification requirements for Relevant Legal Entities (corporate PSCs) or where a PSC is itself a limited company. Requirements for corporate directors, limited partnerships, and officers of corporate PSCs are planned but not yet introduced.

Does this apply to LLP members?

Yes, in principle — the framework extends identity verification to LLP members and general partners alongside company directors, though Companies House has flagged that requirements for corporate LLP members specifically will follow at a later date.

Process: how verification actually works

What is GOV.UK One Login, and how is it different from an ACSP?

GOV.UK One Login is the government's own self-service identity verification route, using your identity documents and, for extra security, two-factor authentication via a mobile phone or authenticator app (codes cannot be sent to landlines or by email). An ACSP, like TAH, is a supervised firm authorised by Companies House to carry out identity checks on its behalf — useful if you don't hold a biometric passport, prefer someone to manage the process for you, or want a wider range of accepted documents (Companies House).

I verified voluntarily in 2025 — do I need to do it again now it's mandatory?

No. Voluntary verification, available from 8 April 2025, produces the same personal code as mandatory verification. Companies House is explicit that "in most cases, you'll only need to verify your identity once. You must not verify again unless we tell you to." If you verified voluntarily, you should already hold a valid personal code.

Is verifying my identity free?

Verifying directly through GOV.UK One Login carries no government fee. Using an ACSP involves the ACSP's own service fee, since you're paying for a supervised firm to manage the process, check your documents, and handle submission on your behalf.

Will my home address become visible on the public register because of this?

No — identity verification is a separate process from what information is displayed publicly. Verifying your identity confirms who you are to Companies House; it does not change what address or personal information appears on the public register, which is governed by separate rules that already protect residential addresses from public disclosure in most cases.

Why is my accountant asking me to verify when Companies House hasn't contacted me directly?

Companies House has said it is "creating new teams to support customers" and will notify people via email and its Changes to UK Company Law updates, but many accountants and company secretarial providers are proactively reaching out to clients ahead of their specific confirmation statement or PSC deadline, rather than waiting for a direct Companies House notice to land. Given the criminal and filing consequences of missing your window (see our non-compliance article), that's generally sound advice, not overreach.

Multiple roles and edge cases

I'm listed as a PSC of a company I don't actually control any more — do I still need to verify?

If the Companies House register still lists you as a PSC, the verification requirement follows the register, not your actual current involvement. If your control has genuinely changed, the correct fix is to update the PSC register entry with Companies House — verification alone won't resolve an outdated PSC listing.

What happens after November 2026 for people who just file documents but aren't directors or PSCs?

Companies House has confirmed it is "working on introducing identity verification of people who file documents with us later this year," with this change beginning "no earlier than November 2026" and advance notice given before it takes effect. This would extend the regime beyond directors and PSCs to anyone submitting filings on a company's behalf.

Key takeaways

• The verification requirement currently applies to individual directors and PSCs, regardless of nationality or residency — not sole traders, and not yet corporate directors or corporate PSCs.
• GOV.UK One Login and ACSPs both produce the same valid personal code; the choice comes down to which documents you have and how much support you want.
• Voluntary verification from 2025 still counts — you don't need to repeat it now verification is mandatory.
• Identity verification and public register disclosure are separate systems; verifying doesn't expose your home address.
• Further requirements, covering people who file documents on a company's behalf, are expected no earlier than November 2026.