Companies House Identity Verification: What Directors Need to Do

Kit and Ledger Editorial Team

Kit and Ledger Editorial Team

— 2 min read
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If you are a director of a UK limited company, you now need to verify your identity with Companies House.

This is separate from your company authentication code. Once you have verified your identity, Companies House gives you a personal code. You may need that code when your company files its next confirmation statement.

Who needs to verify their identity?

Identity verification applies to:

  • Company directors
  • People with significant control, known as PSCs
  • People applying to become Companies House authorised agents

The exact action and timing depend on your role.

When do directors need to verify?

If you are an existing director, you need to provide your Companies House personal code as part of your company’s next confirmation statement.

Your company cannot file its confirmation statement unless all its directors have completed the required identity verification.

If you are a director of more than one company, you will need to provide your personal code for each company’s confirmation statement.

What is a Companies House personal code?

A personal code is issued to you after your identity has been verified.

It is personal to you, not to the company. Keep it secure and do not confuse it with the company authentication code used to file information online.

You may need to use the same personal code for more than one company role.

What if you are also a PSC?

A PSC has a separate requirement to provide their personal code.

If you are both a director and a PSC of the same company:

  • As a director, you provide your code in the company’s confirmation statement.
  • As a PSC, you provide your code through the separate Companies House PSC service.

The PSC deadline is usually a 14-day period starting the day after the company’s confirmation statement date. Filing the confirmation statement early does not change that PSC deadline.

If you are a PSC but not a director of the same company, you normally need to provide your code within the first 14 days of your birth month.

You can check the relevant dates on the Companies House register.

How do you verify your identity?

Most people can verify online through GOV.UK One Login.

You will usually need:

  • A biometric passport, UK photo driving licence, biometric residence permit, biometric residence card or Frontier Worker permit
  • Your current address and the year you moved in
  • Your own GOV.UK One Login email address

If you cannot verify online, you may be able to verify using bank or building society details, at a Post Office, or through an authorised agent such as a registered accountant or solicitor.

What happens if you do not verify?

Your company may be unable to file its confirmation statement.

Failing to meet identity-verification requirements on time can also be an offence. Companies House says that directors and PSCs who continue in their roles without complying may face enforcement action, including financial penalties.

Do not wait until the day your confirmation statement is due. Check now that every director has completed identity verification and can access their personal code.

A simple checklist before your next confirmation statement

  • Check the company’s confirmation statement date on the Companies House register.
  • Make sure every director has completed identity verification.
  • Ask each director to locate and securely retain their personal code.
  • Check whether any director is also a PSC and has a separate PSC action to complete.
  • Leave enough time to resolve any identity-document or One Login issues.

Keep the deadline in context

Identity verification is one part of keeping a limited company up to date. Your confirmation statement, annual accounts, Corporation Tax payment and Company Tax Return can all have different dates.

Kit & Ledger helps UK limited-company owners keep their key Companies House and HMRC deadlines in one personalised schedule, with reminders before they are due.

Last reviewed: 11 October 2026

Official sources:
When you need to verify your identity for Companies House
Verify your identity for Companies House

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