Companies House ID Verification

Companies House ID Verification started on 18 November for new directors and persons with significant control, and members of limited liability partnerships. Here’s a breakdown of what directors should consider.

New directors and persons with significant control (PSCs), and members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are now required to verify their ID with Companies House. Existing directors have until November 2026 in which to complete the verification.

What ID is viable?

Companies House is strongly encouraging directors, PSCs and LLP partners to use one of the following forms of identification to verify themselves through Companies House or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

• A biometric passport from any country

• UK photo driving licence (full or provisional)

• UK biometric residence permit (BRP)

• UK biometric residence card (BRC)

• UK Frontier Worker permit (FWP)

Along with this, they will need their current address, the year they moved in and a gov.uk One Login account. If you have any of the above identification documents, you should be able to verify your identity directly with Companies House. However, directors with older passports or driver’s licences may need assistance from an ACSP – or will at least need to provide more supplementary information.

The ACSP ID verification process

Verifying with an ACSP couldn’t be easier.  You will need:

• your full name and any former names;

• date of birth;

• home address;

• 12-month address history; and

• your email address.

What happens if you miss the verification deadline?

If you have not had your identity verified by the end of the transition period, you will not be able to operate as a Director or PSC, or file with Companies House, until your details have been verified. If you continue to operate as such while being unverified, you will have committed an offence and may be subject to fines and penalties.