JW Hinks guide: Verifying your identity with Companies House

Why you need to act

From autumn 2025, all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) will be legally required to verify their identity.  This is part of the new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, aimed at preventing the misuse of UK companies.

This only has to be done once (not annually), and only takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Once completed:

• You will receive confirmation that your identity has been successfully verified
• Your verified status will apply across all your company appointments
• If your identity isn’t verified, you won’t be able to be appointed or continue acting as a director or PSC.
• Once verified, Companies House will issue each individual with a Personal Verification Code, which will be required for future filings.

If your identity isn’t verified, you won’t be able to be appointed or continue acting as a director or PSC.

What you will need:

• An email address
• A smartphone, tablet, or webcam
• One valid photo ID (e.g. passport, UK driving licence)
• You will need to take a selfie photo as part of the facial recognition process

Companies House Identity Verification:  How to verify your identity

To verify your identity you will need to Sign-in or Create a GOV.UK One Login.

GOV.UK One Login will ask you some simple questions to find the best way for you to verify your identity. Depending on your answers, you’ll then be guided through the verification process:

Go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house

• You will be asked to upload or scan your ID (passport, driving licence, etc.).
• You will then be prompted to use your smartphone camera or webcam to take a selfie for facial matching.
• Finally, once both the above steps are completed successfully, you will receive confirmation that you are verified.

Can I verify my ID at a Post Office?

You will need to check eligibility for in-person verification on the Companies House website.  If eligible, you’ll receive a Post Office customer letter to take to your chosen Post Office branch for verification.

Here’s how you can prove your identity at a Post Office:

1. 1. Get your Post Office customer letter from GOV.UK One Login service
   Enter the details from your photo ID on GOV.UK. Then select which Post Office branch you     want to take your photo ID to.  GOV.UK One Login will send you a confirmation email with a link to download your Post Office customer letter.
2. 2. Go to your chosen Post Office branch
   Take your Post Office customer letter and photo ID to your chosen branch or to any that offers in-branch verification. One of the team there will scan will scan your photo ID and take your photo.
3. 3. Get your result by email
   You’ll get an email from GOV.UK about the result of your identity check. Usually, within a day of going to the Post Office.

If you need any further support, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at JW Hinks.