We use cookies on this website, you can read about cookies and GDPR Privacy Policy here
Coddan CPM Ltd. – Company Registration Agent in the UK

Understand your director identity-verification position, identify what applies to you, complete the appropriate route and move on to any related Companies House requirements.

Step 1
Understand Verification Requirements
Step 2
Check Your Position
Step 3
Prepare Your Information
Step 4
Choose Verification Route
Step 5
Complete Identity Verification
Step 6
Address Next Requirements

Director ID Verification

Position 1

Already a director?

First establish whether your identity has already been verified and whether Companies House has issued your Personal Code.

  • Identity verification is generally a one-off requirement unless Companies House tells you to verify again.
  • Your Personal Code is personal to you, not to the company.
  • After verification, a separate director-role step may still be required for the company appointment.
Next question: Is the remaining task verification, your Personal Code, director-role linkage, or another company filing?
Position 2

Becoming or appointing a director?

New director appointments and incorporations have their own corporate filing requirements alongside identity verification.

  • Identity verification establishes your identity to the Companies House standard.
  • The Personal Code is issued after successful verification.
  • The appointment or incorporation process remains a separate corporate event.
Next question: Is the unresolved job your identity verification, the appointment, or incorporation?
Position 3

Resigning or dealing with an overseas company?

A resignation is a separate change to the director record. Directors of overseas companies registered in the UK have a separate Companies House identity-verification process.

  • Do not treat resignation as a repeat identity-verification exercise.
  • Overseas-company directors have specific filing requirements and timing.
  • The applicable route depends on the company's UK establishment and your role.
Next question: Does your unresolved task concern verification or the separate corporate event?

Once your position is clear, separate the remaining job

Identity verification, your Personal Code and the connection of that verified identity to a particular company role are related, but they are not the same step. The same distinction applies where one person is both a director and a PSC.

Identity verification
Prove who you are to the Companies House identity-verification standard.
Personal Code
Receive the personal code issued by Companies House after successful verification.
Director-role linkage
Provide the required verification information for the relevant director appointment.
PSC-role linkage
A PSC has a separate obligation to provide verification information for that role where required.
Corporate event
Appointment, incorporation, Confirmation Statement, correction or resignation remains a separate company-law or filing task.
Nothing Further Required
If all applicable verification and corporate steps are complete, there may be no further action to take.

Also a PSC?

Holding both director and PSC roles does not ordinarily mean repeating identity verification simply because you hold both roles.

The roles can nevertheless have separate requirements for providing your Personal Code and confirming that your identity has been verified.

If your remaining task is specifically connected with your PSC position, follow the PSC-specific process rather than treating it as another director-verification exercise.

The free Companies House route remains available

Where you need to verify your identity directly with Companies House, GOV.UK One Login is a legitimate free route where suitable. Companies House may guide you to the applicable verification method based on your circumstances.

You do not need to use an ACSP simply because identity verification is required. Coddan-supported verification is an optional alternative where you select that route, it is suitable for your circumstances and the service is within scope.

If you choose Coddan-supported verification, the applicable technology performs the identity and document checks. Coddan reviews the resulting information and determines whether it is satisfied that the Companies House identity-verification standard has been met. Following a successful outcome, Coddan performs its applicable notification responsibility.

Coddan's ACSP registration and its applicable anti-money-laundering supervision are distinct matters. An ACSP does not lower the Companies House identity-verification standard, bypass GOV.UK requirements or provide Companies House endorsement of its services.

Check the official Companies House identity-verification guidance
Existing Company Reassurance

Your existing company does not need to move to Coddan

If your company is already incorporated with Companies House or supported by another accountant, company secretary or registered-office provider, you do not need to transfer the company to Coddan simply to complete director identity verification.

Support being available does not mean support is required. The appropriate next step is the one that resolves your actual outstanding obligation — including using the free official route where it is suitable.

Companies House began mandatory identity-verification requirements on 18 November 2025 and is introducing requirements in phases. There is no universal November 2026 deadline for every director or PSC; timing depends on the person's role and circumstances. Directors of overseas companies registered in the UK have separate timing linked to their UK establishment requirements.


Start Your Business Today: Fast Formation Services to Meet All Compliance Standards

Ensure compliance with Companies House through rapid, secure ID verification for Directors and PSCs. Complete the process online with an authorized ACSP

treamline your compliance with Companies House using our fast, secure ID verification for Directors and PSCs, all completed online by an authorized ACSP
£40.00
+VAT

IdentityGuard Pro™

Recommended for

1
package

Buy Now Identity Verification Bundle™ – Standard Companies House Identity Verification for £40 + VAT.
The Identity Verification Bundle™ provides a fast, secure and professionally supported standard verification route for individuals who need to verify their identity for Companies House. It is suitable for directors, Persons with Significant Control (PSCs), limited liability partnership (LLP) members and other director-equivalent Participants where the current rules apply. Delivered through Coddan CPM's registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) framework, the service can support a new incorporation, proposed director appointment, existing director approaching the company's next Confirmation Statement or separate PSC requirement. Where suitable, secure Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT) performs the applicable checks. Coddan reviews the information, evidence and results before deciding whether it is satisfied that the Companies House identity-verification standard has been met.

The service is available to UK and overseas Participants using identity evidence suitable for the applicable route. If further information or documents are required, Coddan explains what is needed and helps the Participant continue. The fixed £40 + VAT price is Coddan's professional ACSP service fee; eligible individuals may instead use the free GOV.UK One Login route. Following successful verification and Coddan's notification, Companies House separately sends the Personal Code. Using that code for a role or completing a connected corporate filing remains a separate step. If faster handling is needed, compare the priority package. For the wider director journey, visit Companies House director identity verification. Ideal for straightforward applications that fit the standard route.



£65.00
+VAT

RapidVerify Pro™

Recommended for

2
package

Buy Now Fast-Track Expert Director ID Verification™ – Priority Companies House Identity Verification for £65 + VAT.
The Fast-Track Expert Director ID Verification™ service provides fast-track handling for directors, PSCs, LLP members and other eligible Participants who need their identity-verification application reviewed without avoidable delay. Delivered through Coddan CPM's registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) framework, it combines secure Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT), where suitable, with priority professional review of the information, identity evidence and resulting checks. The package is appropriate where verification is connected with a proposed appointment, incorporation, Confirmation Statement or another time-sensitive corporate requirement. Priority handling begins when the required information and suitable evidence have been received. Where the standard route applies and no further enquiry is required, Coddan targets processing within one business day.

If further evidence or clarification is required, Coddan contacts the Participant promptly and explains the next step. The service is available to UK and overseas Participants using suitable UK or non-UK identity documents. The fixed £65 + VAT price covers Coddan's priority professional ACSP work. Priority applies to Coddan's handling and does not accelerate Companies House's separate processing. Any connected appointment, incorporation or filing remains a separate job. Participants who do not need priority handling can compare the standard £40 package. More information is available on Coddan's fast-track identity-verification page. Fast professional handling when time matters, with the same Companies House identity standard.



£125.00
+VAT

VerifyFlex Solutions™

Recommended for

3
package

Buy Now Expert Director ID Verification™ – Flexible Two-Route Companies House Identity Verification for £125 + VAT.
The Expert Director ID Verification™ service provides a professionally managed two-route assessment where the Participant's documents or circumstances require greater flexibility than the standard package. Coddan considers the identity evidence and present position before determining which applicable route is suitable. Depending on the evidence and included service scope, this may involve an IDVT-supported route using eligible photographic identification or a person-checked evidence route using the document combination required by the Companies House standard. Coddan determines the appropriate route from the available evidence; the Participant is not asked to select a lower identity standard. The applicable process performs its assigned checks, and Coddan reviews the information, evidence and results before making its own satisfaction decision as the registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

This package is suitable for UK and overseas Participants where document compatibility is uncertain, a non-UK identity document needs closer consideration or the standard digital journey may not fit. The £125 + VAT price includes route assessment, document guidance and supported verification within the stated evidence scope. It does not overturn an earlier result, bypass applicable checks or guarantee verification. If more extensive individual handling is required, compare the FlexiVerify Option™. Participants whose earlier attempt did not complete can also review Coddan's identity-verification support route. Flexible professional support where standard digital verification may not be the complete answer.



£220.00
+VAT

FlexiVerify Option™

Recommended for

4
package

Buy Now FlexiVerify Option™ – Individually Supported Companies House Identity Verification for £220 + VAT.
The FlexiVerify Option™ is Coddan's highest-support complex-evidence route for Participants whose identity verification cannot be progressed appropriately through a straightforward digital journey. It is intended for circumstances involving non-standard identity evidence, document compatibility difficulties, relevant name or address-history evidence, or an earlier attempt that did not complete successfully. Coddan first considers whether an acceptable verification route is available. Where appropriate, the package includes enhanced individual review, guidance on the required evidence and coordination of additional documents through the applicable process. Checks may be completed remotely or in person where the chosen route and circumstances permit. Additional professional support does not lower or replace the full Companies House identity-verification standard.

The £220 + VAT price reflects the additional work required by a complex case. Technology or the verification platform performs its assigned checks; Coddan reviews the information, evidence and results and decides whether the required standard has been met. Coddan cannot direct a platform to return a particular result or require Companies House to issue a Personal Code. Where Coddan becomes satisfied, it submits the verification notification and Companies House handles the code separately. Participants who need route flexibility without the highest level of support can compare the £125 two-route package. Help following an earlier unsuccessful attempt is explained on Coddan's verification-support page. Individual attention, broader evidence consideration and clear professional support.





Start with Your Present Position

You do not need to choose a service before you understand what remains to be done. Use the position that best describes you, then follow the destination that performs the next professional job.

Practical preparation and completion

Use Guided Director Identity Verification for practical preparation and completion support.

Becoming or being appointed

Use Becoming a Director: Director Identity Verification for the director appointment position.

Resigning or former director

Use Director Resignation and Identity Verification for the separate resignation/former-director position.

Director details or record inconsistency

Use Director Details and Record Update when the unresolved job concerns records or personal details.

Existing director and Confirmation Statement

Use Confirmation Statement Identity Verification when that filing is the remaining corporate job.

Assess whether professional support fits

Use Companies House Director Identity Verification Support if you are assessing whether optional professional support is suitable.

Already a director

If you are already appointed, your timing depends on your role and circumstances. The 18 November 2025 commencement date was not a universal deadline.

Becoming a new director

If you are proposed for appointment or incorporating a company, use the new-director route so the verification and appointment stages remain distinct.

Based overseas

If you live outside the UK, follow the overseas route rather than assuming that residency changes the underlying identity-verification requirement.

For a more complex international position, use International Director Identity Verification.

Verification did not complete

If an attempt stopped, failed or produced an inconsistency, use the resolution route rather than starting a different corporate process by assumption.

Free route first: where GOV.UK One Login is eligible and suitable for you, you can use the official route at no charge. Coddan support is an optional alternative, not a requirement.

Destination → Navigation → Outcome

Use the destination that matches the unresolved job, not a flat catalogue of services.

Verify now

Use GOV.UK One Login where eligible and suitable. If you select professional support, the Coddan route remains optional.

Personal Code unresolved

Use the Personal Code guidance to locate or understand the code issued after verification.

Verification problem

If the attempt did not complete, use Resolving Identity Verification Issues.

New or proposed director

Use New Director Identity Verification for the verification stage before moving to the separate appointment or incorporation process.

Overseas director

Use Overseas Director Identity Verification for the specialist overseas position.

No unresolved verification task

Nothing Further Required on this page if your identity is verified, your required role linkage is complete and no separate corporate event remains.


Do I Need Companies House Identity Verification?

The answer depends on your role and circumstances. Directors and other relevant individuals have specific verification requirements, and the timing differs between existing roles, new appointments, PSC obligations and overseas-company director arrangements.

Existing director

Do not treat 18 November 2026 as a universal deadline. Your applicable timing follows your role and the relevant filing or event.

New or proposed director

Verification is a separate stage from appointment or incorporation. Use the new-director route for the verification-specific guidance.

Also a PSC

Director and PSC are separate roles. The same individual does not ordinarily need a second identity verification merely because they hold both roles, but each role has its own Companies House linkage requirements.

Identity verification is also distinct from AML, KYC and CDD. Those are related compliance concepts, but they are not interchangeable with the Companies House identity-verification requirement.

Identity Verification Is Not a Legal-Capacity Decision

A successful identity verification establishes who the individual is. It does not by itself establish that the individual is eligible to hold office, remove a disqualification, create an appointment, file a Confirmation Statement, correct a company record or complete a resignation.

Where an appointment raises a separate eligibility or governance issue, that question should be dealt with through the appropriate corporate or legal route rather than being folded into the identity-verification process.


One Verified Identity Does Not Create One Combined Role

Companies House treats the Personal Code as personal to the individual. If you are a director of multiple companies, you generally use the same Personal Code when confirming your verified status for each appointment. If you are also a PSC, the PSC role has its own requirement to provide the Personal Code and identity-verification statement where applicable.

This is why director-role linkage and PSC-role linkage should not be described as one combined corporate event. The individual may be the same; the legal roles are not.

Next job: locate or use the Personal Code

If you have verified but need to understand, receive or locate your code, use Directors Digital Passport: Personal Code — understand, receive or locate. For using a Personal Code for a director role, use Personal Code for a Director Role. For managing, protecting or recovering the digital passport, use Key Officer Digital Passport management and recovery. The code is 11 characters and belongs to you, not to the company.


Find the Right Director Identity Verification Pathway

If you have already verified, do not restart the process simply because a passport or driving licence has expired. Companies House guidance treats the Personal Code as personal to you. Further action depends on the particular change and the applicable requirement.

Routine document renewal

Renewing or replacing a document is different from establishing your identity for the first time. Keep current documents available if a future verification activity requires them.

Personal details changed

A name, date-of-birth or other material record change can require a separate correction or update process. Do not treat it as a simple document-renewal question.

International circumstances

Overseas residency, new nationality or international documentation may create a specialist question. Use the overseas route where that is the unresolved job.

Keeping company and personal records accurate remains separate from the identity-verification act itself. If the issue is a record discrepancy, follow the correction or resolution route rather than assuming that re-verification is required.


Keep the Corporate Structure Question Separate

Identity verification is concerned with identifiable individuals. A corporate-director arrangement may raise additional questions about the legal structure, eligibility, managing officer requirements and later implementation phases. Those matters should not be compressed into a generic identity-verification promise.

Where your issue concerns a complex corporate structure rather than an ordinary individual director, treat the structure itself as the unresolved professional job and obtain the applicable Companies House guidance before proceeding.

If the unresolved question is which rules apply to the entity or role type, use Director Identity Verification by Entity Type.

Later implementation phases

Do not assume that every corporate-director or filing-related identity-verification rule is already in force. The applicable commencement date and implementation stage must be checked against current Companies House guidance.


Keep Privacy Proportionate and Evidence-Led

Verification can involve identity documents and other personal information. Participants should use the official GOV.UK route or an ACSP they have deliberately selected, and should understand who is handling the information and why it is required.

Companies House identity verification should also be distinguished from AML, KYC and CDD. An ACSP must be supervised for AML purposes, but that supervision is a separate regulatory relationship from Companies House identity verification.

Coddan's role when you choose its ACSP route

Technology performs the applicable identity and document checks; Coddan reviews the resulting information; Coddan determines whether it is satisfied that the Companies House standard has been met; and, following a successful outcome, Coddan performs its applicable notification responsibility.


Use the Resolution Route

If verification does not complete, first identify what has actually happened: an unsuccessful attempt, an information mismatch, a document issue, a problem with the account or another unresolved requirement. The appropriate response depends on the cause.

The Resolving Identity Verification Issues page is the appropriate specialist destination for that unresolved job.

What this page does not promise

There is no manual or forensic identity-verification bypass, no guaranteed outcome, no promise of first-attempt success and no promise that an issue will be resolved within an unsupported period. Professional support remains subject to the applicable Companies House standard.


New Directors Have Additional Identity Verification Responsibilities

If you are about to become a director, the verification stage must be kept separate from the appointment or incorporation filing. Companies House guidance says new directors provide their Personal Code as part of the appointment filing, or when incorporating a company.

Your next destination

Use the New Director Identity Verification page for the specialist verification job. If the remaining task is incorporation rather than verification, use the separate company-formation process.

For the limited-company formation interface, use Company Formation Director Identity Verification.

Outcome: complete the correct verification stage without confusing it with the appointment or formation filing.


Separate Verification from Record Correction

A passport renewal, address change or legal name change should not automatically be described as a new identity-verification event. The correct next step depends on which Companies House record has changed and whether the applicable guidance requires further action.

If your issue is that personal details held by Companies House are inconsistent with the information associated with your verified identity, use the appropriate correction process. If the issue is that an identity-verification attempt did not complete, use the resolution route instead.

Keep the corporate event separate

Appointment, Confirmation Statement, resignation, correction and other filing events remain separate professional jobs. Completing identity verification does not itself complete any of those filings.


Ready to Complete Your Companies House Director Identity Verification?

If you are an existing director, a proposed director or another individual with a current Companies House verification requirement, first establish the applicable due date or filing event. The 18 November 2025 date marked the start of a 12-month transition period; it was not a universal deadline.

For a straightforward eligible case, the free GOV.UK One Login route remains a legitimate way to verify. You do not need to appoint Coddan or another ACSP simply because professional support is available.

Use the free route

Choose GOV.UK One Login where eligible and suitable. The government route is not presented as inferior simply because a managed route exists.

Choose optional support

If you select Coddan's ACSP-supported route, it is because the service is suitable, within scope and chosen by you. Availability of support does not make it mandatory.

Nothing Further Required

If you are already verified, have completed the required role linkage and have no separate corporate event outstanding, this page has no further verification task for you.

Coddan-supported verification: responsibility model

Where you choose the Coddan route, verification technology performs the applicable identity and document checks; Coddan reviews the resulting information; Coddan decides whether it is satisfied that the Companies House identity-verification standard has been met; and, after a successful outcome, Coddan performs its applicable notification responsibility.

For a standard online Coddan-supported position, see Trusted Online Director Identity Verification Service. This remains optional where the free GOV.UK route is eligible and suitable.

Companies House does not endorse or recommend ACSPs. Select a provider based on the service you need, its scope and your own assessment. If the unresolved task is appointment, incorporation, Confirmation Statement, correction or resignation, move to that separate corporate process rather than treating identity verification as a substitute for it.