• 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?
• How Can Coddan Assist You with Companies House ID Verification?
• How Does ID Verification with Coddan Works?
• ID 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 ID 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 ID 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. ID 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 verification 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. Overall, 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 come into effect from 18th of November 2025.

It is expected that this requirement will impact approximately 6 to 7 million individuals who are required to finalize 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.

✓How Can Coddan Assist You with Companies House ID 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 AUTHORISED CORPORATE SERVICE PROVIDER (ASCP) Coddan can help with ID verification for Companies House.

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

Should you wish to engage our services to complete your ID 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 ID check run on individual being verified.

✓How Does ID Verification with Coddan Works?

Coddan carries out ID verification via Credas software.

The person undergoing the check will be sent a link via their system with instructions to upload their 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.

• 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 the person we are verifying does not live in the UK, they 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.

The person undergoing the check will need to provide their personal email address as this will be used to submit information to Companies House.

Upon submission, companies house will email them their personal code that they will need to use when filing information to confirm their Identity has been verified.

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

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

Coddan offers ID 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 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.