✓ Registered ACSP
✓ Fast Online Service
✓ Fixed Fees — No Hidden Costs
✓ 5-Star Google Reviews

Companies House Verification — Online ACSP Service

Fixed-fee companies house verification for directors, PSCs, company secretaries and LLP members. Complete your identity verification requirements online by video call in five minutes. Accepted by Companies House on first submission — no rejection risk.

Verify Your Identity for Companies House Call 020 7499 2605
Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers is a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) offering online companies house verification for directors, persons with significant control and company secretaries. As a regulated ACSP supervised by the Faculty Office, identity checks are accepted by Companies House on first submission — with no rejection risk from photo quality or address mismatch issues that commonly affect the One Login route. We act as your authorised agent, verifying your identity on behalf of a company and filing directly with the Companies House service.

How Much Does Companies House Verification Cost?

Fixed fee. No setup charge. No rejection risk.

Per Verification

£125
plus VAT

Accepted on first submission · No rejection risk

Multiple Directors?

Call us for bulk discounts. Whether you need to verify existing directors of an existing company or new directors joining a new company, we handle them all at a fair bulk rate.

Call 020 7499 2605
Start Your Companies House Verification

Complete our onboarding form to get started. Takes around 5 minutes.

How Does Online Companies House Verification Work?

Four simple steps from start to verified identity. The entire process takes less than 24 hours. You do not need to visit our London office — complete identity verification is done online.

1

Complete the Onboarding Form

Fill in your personal details — name, date of birth and address — and upload a copy of your biometric passport or UK passport. Secure payment via Stripe. Takes around five minutes.

2

ID Check via Our Trust ID Check App

We send you a secure link to our Trust ID Check app. Open the link on your smartphone, take a photo of your passport, and take a live selfie. The whole process takes under two minutes.

3

We Make the Filing

Once you have completed your ID check, we are notified and submit your identity verification to the Companies House service immediately. As your Companies House authorised agent, we file on behalf of a company — or multiple companies — in one go.

4

Receive Your Personal Code

Companies House issues your unique personal code — a unique identifier linked to your verified identity — within a few working days. This code is connected to your Companies House account and covers all your directorships.

Who Must Complete Companies House Identity Verification?

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (the Corporate Transparency Act) introduced mandatory identity verification as a new legal requirement under UK company law. This applies to all business owners and officers holding a role at a UK company, whether it is a new company or an existing company. The identity verification requirements cover:

✓ Existing directors — all directors of UK limited companies, including dormant companies and small businesses
✓ New directors — all new appointments must have a verified identity before their appointment can be registered on the Companies House register
✓ Persons with significant control (PSCs) — individuals who own 25% or more of shares or voting rights, including corporate PSCs and officers of corporate PSCs
✓ LLP members — designated and non-designated members of limited liability partnerships, as well as corporate members and general partners of limited partnerships
✓ Company secretaries — including corporate directors of companies and those filing company information on behalf of multiple companies
✓ Overseas directors — directors based outside the UK can verify online by video call. Holders of a UK Frontier Worker permit can also use this route
✓ Sole traders — sole traders registering as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider must also complete identity verification
✓ UK businesses of all sizes — from small businesses with a single director to large corporates with multiple board members

Non-compliance is a criminal offence under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. Companies House can refuse to accept filings from unverified directors, and you may face a financial penalty. Existing directors must verify within the 12-month transition period set by Companies House — check the due dates for your appointments.

Why Choose ACSP Verification Over GOV.UK One Login?

There are two routes to companies house verification: the free One Login self-service route via government services, or verification through a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider. Here is why most directors and their accountants choose the ACSP route.

Feature GOV.UK One Login ACSP (Edward Young)
Cost Free £125 + VAT
Acceptance rate High failure rate — photo quality and address mismatch issues 100% — accepted on first submission every time
ID Check method GOV.UK ID Check app — facial recognition, strict photo requirements Regulated professional checks your ID documents personally
Identity documents accepted UK passport or UK biometric residence card only via the Login app Biometric passport, UK driving licence, EEA national identity card
Overseas directors Limited support — Login service often fails with non-UK addresses Full support — online from anywhere in the world
Support Self-service — no human assistance via government services Dedicated support from a regulated ACSP
Personal code delivery A few working days after successful ID check A few working days — we submit promptly

One Login is free but has a high failure rate. Common issues include photo quality rejections, address mismatches between your identity documents and Companies House records, and problems with the facial recognition technology in the GOV.UK ID Check app. Failed attempts mean delays — and you cannot file anything with Companies House until verification is complete. Most accountants now recommend the ACSP route for reliability.

Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers is listed on the official Companies House register of Authorised Corporate Service Providers. We are supervised for anti-money laundering by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury and are members of the Notaries Society and STEP.

Why Choose Edward Young for Companies House Verification?

✓ Registered ACSP — listed on the official UK Government register of Authorised Corporate Service Providers, acting as an authorised agent for identity checks
✓ Fast turnaround — complete the form, verify via the app, and your verification is submitted promptly
✓ 100% acceptance rate — ACSP verification is accepted by Companies House on first submission with no rejection risk
✓ Fixed fees — £125+VAT per verification, no hidden charges, no setup fee. Bulk discounts available for business owners with multiple directorships
✓ UK and overseas directors — verify your identity for Companies House from anywhere in the world using your smartphone
✓ Regulated and insured — supervised by the Faculty Office, members of the Notaries Society and STEP
✓ GDPR-compliant — your identity documents and personal details are stored on EU-hosted servers with encryption in transit and at rest
✓ 5-star Google reviews — trusted by corporate directors, accountants and company formation agents across London

Watch: How ACSP Identity Verification Works

A short walkthrough of the companies house verification process using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. See how we complete identity checks for directors, PSCs and company secretaries.

What Our Clients Say

Trusted by directors, accountants and company formation agents across London and the UK.

★★★★★

“Quick, professional and efficient. The video call took five minutes and my verification was submitted straight away. My personal code arrived within three working days. Highly recommend for anyone who needs companies house verification without the hassle.”

— Company Director, London

★★★★★

“I tried the One Login route three times and kept failing the ID check. Edward Young sorted it in one video call. Fixed fee, no fuss. My accountant now sends all his clients here instead of the government services route.”

— PSC, Tech Company

★★★★★

“We needed verification for four existing directors urgently. They handled all four efficiently and charged a fair bulk rate. Excellent Companies House service from a properly regulated firm.”

— Company Secretary

★★★★★

“Based overseas and needed to verify my identity as a UK company director. The entire process was done online — the onboarding form, the identity checks, everything. My Companies House account was updated with my personal code within days. Very smooth.”

— Overseas Director, UAE

What Other Online Identity Verification Services Do You Offer?

We offer a range of online identity verification and notarial services from our Wigmore Street office — all completed by secure video call, with no need to attend in person.

Online Notary UK

General video-witness notarisation for identity documents that need to be signed before a notary public. Covers powers of attorney, statutory declarations, affidavits and certified copies for use worldwide.

Learn more about our online notary service →

Online ID1 Form Verification

HM Land Registry requires identity verification (Form ID1) for property transactions involving conveyancers. We complete ID1 forms online for buyers, sellers and their solicitors.

Complete your ID1 form online →

ACSP Services for Overseas Directors

Specialist ACSP verification for corporate directors based outside the UK. We handle the full process by video call — no UK visit required. Whether you hold a UK passport, a UK biometric residence card or a UK Frontier Worker permit, we can verify your identity.

View our full ACSP service → · What is an ACSP? →

Register of Overseas Entities — Beneficial Owner Verification

Overseas entities that own land or property in the UK must register with Companies House under the Register of Overseas Entities. As a registered ACSP, we verify the identity of beneficial owners and managing officers of overseas entities — confirming who ultimately owns or controls the entity. This identity verification is required for initial registration and annual updates to the register.

Register of Overseas Entities verification service →

Sign an Irish Passport Application

Applying for an Irish passport and need a witness to sign your application form? Our notary can witness and sign your Irish passport application by video call — no need to visit in person. We also complete the Verify ID form required for first-time adult and child passport applications.

Sign your Irish passport application online →

Verify ID Form for Irish Passport Applications

If you are applying for an Irish passport for the first time — or renewing on behalf of a child — the Department of Foreign Affairs requires a Verify ID form (also known as the APS 2 form) signed by an approved witness. As a notary public, we are an accepted witness category for Irish passport applications.

The Verify ID form confirms that the person in the passport photograph is the applicant. The witness must be a member of a recognised profession — such as a notary public, solicitor, doctor, or member of An Garda Síochána — and must have known the applicant (or the child’s parent) for a specified period.

We complete Verify ID forms by secure video call from our London office. This is particularly useful for Irish citizens living in the UK who may not have easy access to an approved witness in Ireland. The process takes around ten minutes and can be combined with any other notarial service — including companies house verification if you are also a company director.

Book a Verify ID Appointment

Fixed fee. No need to visit in person.

Already Tried Self-Verification and It Is Not Working?

If you have already attempted companies house verification through the One Login route or the GOV.UK ID Check app and it has failed — whether due to photo quality, address mismatch, expired identity documents, personal code issues or problems with the Login service — see our detailed troubleshooting guide.

Why Companies House Verification Failed and How to Fix It

Covers the most common causes of failure including photo quality rejections, address mismatches between your ID and the Companies House register, expired documents, personal code issues and problems completing identity checks through government services. Includes fixes for the GOV.UK ID Check app, the One Login route and National Insurance number mismatches.

Read the troubleshooting guide →

Or skip the troubleshooting and start ACSP verification instead — accepted on first submission, every time.

Start ACSP Verification Now

Frequently Asked Questions About Companies House Verification

Quick answers to the questions we hear most from directors, PSCs, company secretaries and their accountants.

What is an ACSP and why does it matter for companies house verification? +
An Authorised Corporate Service Provider is a regulated professional — such as a solicitor, notary or accountant — registered with Companies House to verify identities and file company information on behalf of clients. Using an ACSP as your authorised agent means your verification is accepted on first submission with no risk of rejection due to photo quality or address mismatch issues that commonly affect the One Login route through government services.
How long does online companies house verification take? +
The online video call takes approximately five minutes. Your verification is submitted to the Companies House service immediately after the call, and you receive your personal code — your unique identifier — within a few working days. The personal code is then linked to your Companies House account.
Can overseas directors use your companies house verification service? +
Yes. Our online verification service works from anywhere in the world. You need a valid biometric passport and a smartphone or laptop with a camera. Holders of a UK biometric residence card or UK Frontier Worker permit can also use this service. There is no need to visit our London office — complete identity verification is done by video call.
What identity documents are accepted for companies house verification? +
For online verification you need a biometric passport — most passports issued after 2006 contain the electronic chip required. A UK passport works perfectly. For in-person verification, we can also accept a UK or EU driving licence with a photograph, a UK biometric residence card, or a national identity card from an EEA country. You will also need to confirm your date of birth and provide a National Insurance number if you have one.
Do I need to verify separately for each directorship? +
No. Once your identity is verified with Companies House, you receive a personal code that applies to all your directorships and company roles. Whether you are a director of a new company, an existing company, or multiple limited companies, you verify once and the personal code covers every appointment.
What happens if I do not verify my identity with Companies House? +
Non-compliance is a criminal offence under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. Companies House can refuse to accept filings from unverified directors, and you may face a financial penalty. Existing directors must complete verification within the 12-month transition period — check the due dates for your specific appointments. This applies to all UK businesses, from sole traders to large corporates.
What is the difference between ACSP verification and GOV.UK One Login? +
GOV.UK One Login is a free self-service route via government services, but it has a high failure rate due to strict photo quality and address-matching requirements in the GOV.UK ID Check app. The Login service often rejects valid identity documents. ACSP verification is completed by a regulated professional — your authorised agent checks your ID documents and submits the verification directly to Companies House. It is accepted on first submission every time. Most accountants recommend the ACSP route for reliability.
Can the Post Office verify my identity for Companies House? +
The Post Office identity verification service does not currently apply to companies house verification under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. The Post Office offers identity checks for other government services, but for Companies House director verification you must use either a registered ACSP or the GOV.UK One Login route. An ACSP provides a more reliable service with a 100% acceptance rate.
Who needs to verify — new directors only or existing directors too? +
Both. All new directors must have a verified identity before their appointment can be registered. Existing directors of every UK limited company — including dormant companies, small businesses and limited liability partnerships — must also verify within the 12-month transition period. This also applies to persons with significant control, corporate PSCs, officers of corporate PSCs, corporate members, general partners, and company secretaries.
What is a personal code and how do I use it? +
A personal code is a unique identifier issued by Companies House after your identity has been verified. It is linked to your Companies House account and must be included in certain filings. The personal code covers all your directorships — whether you are a director of a new company, an existing company, a sole trader registering as an ACSP, or hold multiple appointments. You do not need a separate code for each role.

Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers
19 Wigmore Street, London W1U 1PH
+44 20 7499 2605 · notary@notarypubliclondon.co.uk

Regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury · Member of the Notaries Society · STEP Qualified · Registered ACSP

Monday–Friday 09:00–17:30

Start Your Companies House Verification Today

£125+VAT per verification. Accepted on first submission.

Complete the Onboarding Form Call 020 7499 2605

Company Director ID Verification Onboarding

Complete the form below to start your Companies House identity verification. We will be in touch within one working day.