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Identity verification at Companies House

Identity verification isn’t about creating a “digital ID” or giving directors another form of identity. It’s simply about confirming that the person setting up or running a company is who they claim to be.

Verifying the identity of those who run or control companies helps protect legitimate businesses, customers, and the wider public from those who would abuse the system for criminal purposes.

This is a crucial safeguard that protects everyone who uses the register, and ordinary citizens who have been at risk of having their identities stolen to facilitate fraud.

Companies House will verify identities using existing forms of identities, such as a passport or driving licence, and have designed our processes to be simple, secure and robust.

Protecting people and businesses from fraud

Economic crime costs the UK billions of pounds each year and causes lasting harm to businesses, investors, and ordinary people whose identities are hijacked to commit fraud. Criminals use fake or stolen identities to set up companies, take out loans, and disappear – leaving victims to pick up the pieces.

The reforms being introduced by the Economic and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 are about stopping that. Verifying the identity of those who run or control companies helps protect legitimate businesses, customers, and the wider public from those who would abuse the system for criminal purposes.

Helping directors verify their identity securely

To make this process as straightforward as possible, Companies House is working with GOV.UK One Login to deliver the identity verification requirements set out in the Act.

Identity verification is not a new concept. Many government services already require it. GOV.UK One Login simply provides a single, secure way for individuals to prove their identity.

In addition to this route, individuals can choose to verify their identity through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), which may be more convenient if they already use a solicitor, accountant, or agent for other services.

Balancing responsibility and benefit

Running a company comes with privileges, including the protection of limited liability but it also brings responsibilities. Identity verification is part of that balance: ensuring that those benefiting from the UK’s trusted business framework are known, accountable, and legitimate.

Small business owner: “Used the gov.uk one login app to prove my identity for Companies House… and it worked first time. Verifying identify of company directors is a huge huge step. It closes so many scammy loopholes.”

Accountant: Starting 18 November 2025, UK company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) will need to verify their identity with Companies House—a major step toward greater transparency and trust in business.

Supported by the wider business community

These reforms have been broadly welcomed across the business and transparency community, who recognise that protecting the integrity of the UK companies register supports confidence and investment.

We’ll continue to work closely with stakeholders as implementation progresses, ensuring the process is straightforward and proportionate for legitimate directors and businesses.

As Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, noted in our press release: “The introduction of these new security measures will be welcomed by the thousands of genuine businesses who want to know that fraudsters and criminals cannot masquerade as legitimate concerns. Protecting the names of good firms and making it harder for those with dishonest motives to set up a business can only be a good thing.”

Ben Cowdock, Senior Investigations Lead at Transparency International, also said in our press release: “We welcome the introduction of ID checks at Companies House, which should make it harder for criminals to hide behind false identities. Having greater assurance over who owns and controls companies is a vital step towards defending the UK against money laundering and building confidence in the business environment.”

Useful links

Read our LinkedIn article – Companies House identity verification: setting the record straight | LinkedIn

Read about identity verification with Companies House.

Find out how the measures under the ECCT Act are already making an impact.

FAQs

Identity verification is a new legal requirement that helps make sure the people setting up, running and controlling companies are who they say they are. From 18 November 2025, directors and people with significant control (PSCs) will be legally required to verify their identity with Companies House.

The process involves proving your identity using existing forms of identification, such as a passport or driving licence. Most people will only need to verify once, and the process can usually be completed in minutes through the free GOV.UK One Login service or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) such as an accountant or solicitor.

For more information, read our identity verification guidance on gov.uk

No. Identity verification for Companies House is not linked to plans for a national digital ID scheme.

The requirements will not create a digital ID for company directors or people with significant control (PSCs). The system uses existing forms of identification that people already have and is designed to improve the quality and reliability of the Companies House register whilst tackling misuse from those who would abuse the system for criminal purposes.

Identity verification will provide greater assurance about who is setting up, running and controlling companies in the UK, giving more confidence to investors, lenders and customers. Companies will also benefit from more accurate and trustworthy register data.

It will make it much more difficult for criminals to impersonate someone or use false identities to set up companies, protecting legitimate businesses.

By increasing transparency and trust, it attracts investment and supports the UK’s reputation as a trusted place to do business

Yes, GOV.UK One Login follows the highest security standards for government and private sector services. It is fully compliant with UK data protection and privacy laws.

Read this privacy notice to find out how information is stored when you verify with GOV.UK One Login.

There are two ways to verify your identity:

directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login
through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

Identity verification through GOV.UK One Login is free and can be completed quickly online.

You can also ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify your identity on your behalf. For example, an accountant or solicitor. They may charge a fee for this service.

Once verified, you’ll receive a unique Companies House personal code that you’ll use to connect your verified identity to your company roles.

Read our guidance for more information on verifying your identity for Companies House

When you need to verify depends on your role, and when you started that role. From 18 November, you’ll be able to check the Companies House register to see the verification due dates for each role you hold.

If you’re currently a director, you’ll need to provide your Companies House personal code as part of your company’s next confirmation statement from 18 November 2025.

If you are a director of more than one company, you will need to do this for each company.

If you’re registering a new company, you’ll be asked to provide the Companies House personal code for each director as part of the registration filing.

People with Significant Control (PSCs) will have a 14-day period to provide their personal code, with dates depending on whether you’re already registered and if you’re also a director of the same company.

Further detailed guidance for PSCs will be available on 18 November when the service for PSCs to provide identity verification details goes live in line with it becoming a legal requirement.

We encourage people to verify their identity as early as possible to save time later. We’re sending all companies reminders to their registered email address, explaining what they need to do and when to help them comply.

Identity verification at Companies House

Protecting people and businesses from fraud

Helping directors verify their identity securely

Balancing responsibility and benefit

Supported by the wider business community

Useful links

FAQs

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