Have you had to prove your identity with Companies House yet? Yup, us too. Don’t worry. It’s not because you’re suspected of being an oligarch on the run or a plutonium-selling terrorist. If Wordle needs to verify you’re a human, then it was only a matter of time before Companies House jumped on the bandwagon. Stick around while we discuss why there needs to be a Companies House identity verification, who needs to do it, and how you can shortcut the process with a completely legitimate secret option.
What is Companies House Identity Verification?
This is, quite simply, a new policy from Companies House to check that you are who you say you are. This might seem like a pretty obvious step when setting up a registered company, but up until recently, UK regulations were eyebrow-raisingly lax. Just about anyone could register a business with Companies House without proving anything about themselves. Now most folks are honest, upstanding members of the community, but as expected, this lack of regulation was open to abuse by nefarious villains and law dodgers. However, from 18 November 2025, new and existing company directors and owners will have to prove they really are what it says on the tin.
Who’s on the list for Companies House Identity Verification?
If you tick any of the boxes below, you can expect an identity verification request from Companies House:
- Are you a director of a UK company?
- Do you “own or control” a UK company or identify as a “PSC” (“person with significant control”)?
- Are you a member of a limited liability partnership?
As you can see, this list, by extension, includes most people who either own a company or are involved in the running of a company. If you’re just not sure whether you’re included in any of the above categories, you can always WhatsApp to ask. We’ll be happy to remove any ambiguity and help you along with the next steps.
How to Prove You’re You
Now this is a mostly proactive process, so don’t expect a polite request on a postcard. You have two options to complete the verification:
1] Direct with Companies House
Start with this Companies House webpage. Then, using your gov.uk “One Login”, you’ll need to upload a photo of your passport, provide your address, and follow the prompts. It’s not hard, and it should take just a few minutes to complete.
2] Sign Off With An Authorised Agent (aka us!)
This is the hinted-at secret shortcut we mentioned before. So, ahem, we just so happen to be an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, which means we have the “OK” from Companies House to go ahead and help our clients prove their identity. We’re just cool like that.
The good thing is, you only have to do this once, and then you are good to go. And it is per individual, not per company. So if you are a director for several companies, you still only need to do this once.
What Happens if You Don’t Comply?
Once you complete the verification process, you will be provided a unique personal code. This code then needs to be submitted on the annual confirmation statement, with company formations or for a change in directors, etc. If you don’t have the code, you won’t be able to file these documents with Companies House. Worse yet, it is a criminal offence not to comply and can lead to fines and striking off of your company and until you sort it out, Companies House registry will show you as “unverified” in the public records.
Consult with an Experienced Professional
It’s also important to note that this identity verification process applies to existing companies as well as new ones. Stay ahead of the demanding notices, tick all the boxes containing bicycles and buses to prove you’re not a robot, and follow the website steps. Need a guiding light to see through the fog of Companies House policy? Set up a meeting here for free professional expertise.
