How to do the ID Verification for Companies House: The Director's Step-by-Step Guide

Many directors have started to get the below email from Companies House asking them to verify their ID.

ID Verification Methods

There are two main methods to do this:

1. The free method - via the gov.uk website using a biometric passport. This is my default recommendation and should work for 90% of you.

2. An ASCP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider), such as an accountant does the verification

3. A post office - not discussed here

The full official guidance is here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verifying-your-identity-for-companies-house

Why Have You Got This Request?

• You are a company director or PSC (person with significant control)

• This is a new legal requirement, which starts from 18 November 2025

• The actual hard due date is the earlier of:

  • your company's confirmation statement date

  • any Companies House filings, such as your annual accounts. The personal code will now be required

  • 18 November 2026, which is the final deadline

Free Method Video Instructions

Free ID Verification Method Written Instructions

1. Have a biometric passport to hand
   

2. Have your Companies House account to hand (optional, if you don't have this then ignore)
   

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

4. Scroll down and hit "verify your identity"
   

   

   
   

5. Sign in or create a Gov.UK ONE account. It's likely you'll need to create an account. Note that this account is being rolled out across a lot of different government services, such as for DVLA driving licence address changes.
   

6. Follow the link to download the Gov.UK ONE app to your smartphone
   

7. Scan your passport's biometric chip via the app
   

8. Take a selfie with the app
   

9. Input your address details
   

10. At the end of the process you will be given a Companies House personal code - treat this code carefully and confidentially. Your accountant will need this for any Companies House filings they do on your behalf
    

11. If you mislay your Companies House personal code, it will be stored online

What Happens At The End?

You will be emailed your Companies House personal code.

This is a 11 digit alphanumeric code in the format XXX-XXXX-XXXX.

Keep this code safe. You or your accountant will need it for Companies House filings.

What Problems Could I Encounter?

If you've previously created a Companies House account, usually as part of creating your limited company, then there will be an extra step to link this account to your Gov.UK ONE account.

You may get the "we could not find a match when we checked your details with another organisation" error message via email. The cause of this is unknown and you won't get an answer why if you phone up Gov.UK. At this point, you may have to use methods 2 or 3.

Anecdotally, I think that the above error is caused by the name on your ID not exactly matching the name on Companies House. So be careful with middle names, double-barrelled names and hyphens.

Can You Do This For Me?

Alongside Accounting can do the ID verification for you, starting from £120 + VAT. Go here if you would like to start the process.