• Understanding Companies House Identity Verification: What You Need to Know
• Who Must Complete Companies House Identity Verification?
• When Will Identity Verification Become Mandatory?
• How to Verify Identity for Companies House?
• What are the steps of the Identity Verification process?
• How Can Coddan Assist with Companies House Identity Verification?
• How Does Identity Verification with Coddan Work?
• Identity Verification Support for All – Whether or Not You Formed Your Company with Coddan

✓Understanding Companies House Identity Verification: What You Need to Know

Under the new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, Companies House requires Identity Verification to ensure compliance and prevent fraud. This process is essential for individuals and entities submitting documents or registering with Companies House. The verification typically involves providing personal identification documents, such as passports or driver's licenses, along with proof of address, as well as confirming validity of these documents either directly via Companies House portal, via Post Office certification or services of ACSP.

Companies must ensure that the information submitted is accurate and up-to-date to avoid delays or rejections in processing. The Identity Verification process is a critical step in maintaining the integrity of the business registration system and safeguarding against identity theft.

✓Who Must Complete Companies House Identity Verification?

Companies House identity verification is a requirement for specific individuals involved in the registration and management of companies, as well as Partnerships in the UK. Identity Verification process is required for:

• directors;
• anyone who is an equivalent of a director – for example a member, a general partner and managing officers of the business;
• any person with significant control (PSC);
• an ACSP – an Authorised Corporate Service Provider – an agent authorised by Companies House;
• anyone who files or submits documents on behalf of a company – this could be a company secretary.

This process is crucial for maintaining transparency and accountability within the corporate sector. Failure to complete the verification can result in penalties or restrictions on company operations. Identity Verification is a vital step in safeguarding the interests of stakeholders and the public.

✓When Will Identity Verification Become Mandatory?

Mandatory identity verification for Companies House comes into effect from 18th of November 2025.

It is expected that this requirement will impact nearly 7 million individuals who would need to finalise their verification with Companies House within a 12-month timeframe - by November 2026.

New directors will be asked to verify their identity during the company registration or at the time of their appointment as a director to an existing company. Current directors will be required to finalise verification when submitting their next confirmation statement.

✓How to Verify Identity for Companies House?

Online

You can verify your identity online, directly with Companies House, if you have the identity documents or information required. This route uses GOV.UK One Login to verify your identity and is free of charge.

GOV.UK One Login will ask you some simple questions to find the best way for you to verify your identity online. Depending on your answers, you’ll then be guided to verify using a GOV.UK mobile phone app or in your web browser using information known only to you.

In person at a Post Office

If you cannot verify online and you live in the UK, you may be able to verify your identity in person at a Post Office. You’ll need to use the ’Verify your identity for Companies House’ service first to find out if you can verify this way.

Via Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

You can ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify your identity on your behalf. This can be a member of a regulated profession, such as an accountant or solicitor. This is also known as a Companies House authorised agent, regulated to comply with Anti-Money Laundering Regulations.

✓What are the steps of the Identity Verification process?

Starting from November 18, 2025, mandatory identity verification becomes a legal requirement in the UK. This date, however, is not a deadline. This date starts a 12-month transition period, allowing companies sufficient time to ensure that all directors and people with significant control (PSCs) have verified their identities for the UK Registrar of Companies by their respective due dates.

To facilitate this transition, after November 18, each individual will be able to access the Companies House register, which will provide specific verification due dates for each individual's role they occupy within the company.

Two essential steps of Identity Verification process:

Step 1: Verification of Identity: in this step, you will need to confirm your identity through the designated process, which typically involves submitting relevant personal information and documentation. Upon successful verification, you will receive a unique personal code from Companies House.

Step 2: Code Submission for each Role Confirmation: once you have your personal code, you must provide it for each specific role you hold within each organisation where you hold a position. This step is equally crucial to ensure that your verification is recognised and maintained across all your positions.

By following these steps meticulously, you will ensure that your identity is securely verified, allowing you to manage your roles effectively within the Companies House system.

Being an ACSP, Coddan can assist you with the identity verification process by guiding you through each step to ensure a smooth and efficient experience. Our team of experts is available to help you gather the necessary documentation and accurately complete the verification requirements.

We can also assist you in the submission of your personal code for each role you hold, ensuring that all details are correctly entered and your verification status is updated without delay. By partnering with Coddan, you can navigate the complexities of identity verification confidently and efficiently, allowing you to focus on your core business activities.

✓How Can Coddan Assist with Companies House Identity Verification?

Coddan offers comprehensive assistance with Companies House ID verification, ensuring a smooth and efficient process for businesses. Our services are designed to help clients navigate the complexities of identity verification required by Companies House, which is essential for maintaining compliance and protecting against fraud.

By leveraging our expertise, Coddan simplifies the verification process, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations while ensuring that all necessary documentation and identification requirements are met. This support not only enhances operational efficiency but also builds trust with stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to regulatory compliance.

Being an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ASCP) Coddan can help with ID verification for Companies House.

Please keep in mind that Identity Verification for Companies House is different to any AML (Anti-Money Laundering) compliance checks done under the current Regulations for the Company Registration purposes.

Should you wish to engage our services to complete your Identity Verification for Companies House, please make sure you have read and understood requirements below and are able to submit correct documents.

If you submit wrong documents, we will not be able to confirm to Companies house we have verified your Identity in line with their guidance, you will still be charged, and we will need to run a new ID Check.

Fee is charged for each Identity Verification run on individual being verified.

✓How Does Identity Verification with Coddan Work?

Coddan carries out Identity Verification via Credas software.

When undergoing the check, you will be sent a link via their system with instructions to upload your ID document, selfie and, where appropriate, supporting documents (including proof of address).

To ensure smooth verification process, please have correct documents to hand before starting the process.

There will be 2 options to complete ID checks via CREDAS –

• By 1 form of ID - a biometric or machine-readable passport (checked via CHIP); OR
• By 2 forms of ID.

If biometric or machine-readable passport is not available or CHIP verification doesn’t work, the person being verified will need to provide 2 documents in total. They must provide either:

• 2 documents from group A;
• 1 document from group A, and 1 document from group B.

If you don’t live in the UK, you must provide at least one government issued document. Primary ID Document is a valid passport.

Group A documents they can provide are:

• passport or Irish passport card – primary ID document;
• identity card with biometric information from the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein;
• UK biometric residence permit (BRP);
• UK accredited PASS card;
• UK or EU driver digital tachograph card;
• UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and EU photocard driving licence (full or provisional);
• UK HM Forces ID Card;
• UK HM Armed Forces Veteran Card;
• UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man firearms licence;
• another type of photographic ID listed on PRADO - such as a National Identity Card (Pakistan), crew member certificate (South Africa), or Permanent Resident Card (USA).

Group B accepted documents are listed below:

FOR UK BASED INDIVIDUAL:

• birth or adoption certificate;
• marriage or civil partnership certificate;
• bank or building society statement;
• UK local authority or social housing rental agreement – this must be for the person’s current address;
• mortgage statement – this must be for the person’s current address;
• UK council tax statement – this must be for the person’s current address;
• utility bill – this must be for the person’s current address.

OVERSEAS INVIDIAUAL:

• bank statement;
• utility bill* – this must be for the person’s current address. Accepted Utility bill are: Gas, Electricity, Water, Waste. Please note TV, Internet or mobile phone bills are not accepted for this purpose. *certified translation of the document may be requested if these are not in English.

When undergoing the Identity Verification, you will need to provide your personal email address as this will be used to submit information to Companies House to confirm your identity has been verified.

Upon submission, companies house will provide you your personal code. You will require this code to confirm your Identity has been verified.

Our fee for Identity Verification and submission information to Companies House is £40.00 + VAT (if applicable). Fee covers Coddan admin processing fee and software fee for running the checks.

✓ Identity Verification Support for All – Whether or Not You Formed Your Company with Coddan

Coddan offers Identity Verification support to all clients, regardless of whether they established their company through their services. This initiative ensures that all businesses can access necessary verification processes, enhancing security and compliance.

The support is designed to facilitate smoother operations for companies by providing essential identity checks, which are crucial for various business transactions and regulatory requirements. By extending this service to all clients, we demonstrate our commitment to fostering a secure business environment and supporting diverse entrepreneurial needs.

It’s very simple to get your identity verified with Coddan. Simply complete our one step, easy-to-use application form with your contact details and our team will be in touch to complete verification process for Companies House.