Identity Verification for Companies House: Fast ACSP Service for Directors

Book your online verification now and get the job done in 5 minutes.

New rules under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 mean that every company director, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) member, Limited Partnership (LP) member and person with significant control (PSC) must complete mandatory identity verification with Companies House.

This is not optional. Non-compliance is a criminal offence that can result in financial penalties, restrictions on filing and, in serious cases, prosecution. The 12-month transition period has already begun — your company’s next confirmation statement date is your personal deadline.

Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) registered with Companies House. We verify identities for directors of UK companies, overseas entities and anyone required to hold a Companies House personal code.

What Is Identity Verification for Companies House?

Identity verification for Companies House is the process of confirming that a company director, LLP member or PSC is who they claim to be. It was introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to combat fraud, money laundering and the misuse of UK corporate structures.

Once verified, you receive a personal code from Companies House. This code links to your verified identity and must be used for all future filings — including confirmation statements, appointment notifications and changes to your company record.

There are two routes to verification:

ACSP verification — completed through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider like Edward Young. We verify your identity using approved ID documents and file the verification directly with Companies House on your behalf. This is the faster, more flexible option, particularly for overseas directors or those who cannot use the government’s digital system.

GOV.UK One Login — the government’s own digital identity service. This works well for UK residents with a UK passport or driving licence, but can present difficulties for non-UK nationals, overseas residents and those without compatible ID documents.

Who Must Complete Companies House Identity Verification?

Every individual connected to a UK company in a significant capacity must verify their identity. This includes:

Company directors — both existing directors of established companies and new directors being appointed. Existing directors must verify by their company’s next confirmation statement date. New directors must verify before or at the point of appointment.

LLP members — all designated and non-designated members of limited liability partnerships must complete the same verification process as company directors.

Persons with significant control (PSCs) — any individual who holds more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or who exercises significant influence or control over the company.

Company secretaries — where a company has appointed a company secretary, that individual must also be verified.

Managing officers of overseas entities — officers of foreign companies registered with Companies House under the Register of Overseas Entities must verify their identity through an ACSP.

Filing agents and company formation agents — professionals who file documents with Companies House on behalf of clients must themselves be verified and registered as ACSPs.

How Does Our ACSP Identity Verification Service Work?

We offer four verification methods to suit different circumstances. Every method results in the same outcome — a verified identity and a Companies House personal code.

Online ID Check (5 minutes)
Our most popular option. You complete a short form on our website, and we send you a secure link to our ID verification platform. Using your smartphone, you photograph your passport or ID document and complete a facial verification check. The whole process takes approximately five minutes, and you can do it from anywhere in the world. Processing takes 24–48 hours.

In-Person Verification (10–15 minutes)
Meet us at our London office at 19 Wigmore Street, or we can come to your location. You bring your original ID documents, we verify them face-to-face, and we file with Companies House the same day. Ideal if you prefer a traditional approach or if your documents are not compatible with the online system.

Expedited Service
For existing clients where we already hold KYC documentation on file. We can often complete verification within hours using records from previous notarial work.

Verify Elite (£350 plus VAT)
Our premium service for busy executives, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and those with complex corporate structures. We coordinate with your PA, accountant or legal team to manage the entire process on your behalf.

What ID Documents Are Accepted for Companies House Verification?

Companies House accepts a range of photo ID documents for identity verification. The specific documents accepted depend on whether you choose online or in-person verification.

For online verification:
A biometric passport (UK or non-UK) is the primary document. The passport must contain a chip — most passports issued after 2006 are biometric. The online system reads the chip data and matches it against a facial verification check.

For in-person verification, the following are accepted:
UK passport, non-UK passport, UK photocard driving licence, UK biometric residence card, UK biometric residence permit, frontier worker permit, and other government-issued photo ID with an equivalent level of security.

You do not need a UK bank account or credit cards to verify your identity. The verification is based solely on approved photo ID documents.

What Is the Deadline for Identity Verification?

The 12-month transition period began when the identity verification provisions of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act came into force. Your specific deadline depends on your role:

Existing directors — you must verify your identity before your company’s next confirmation statement date. Companies House will not accept a confirmation statement from an unverified director after the transition period ends.

New directors — identity verification is required at or before the point of appointment. Companies House will reject appointment filings for unverified individuals.

New company incorporations — all directors and PSCs must be verified before the company can be registered.

Business owners with multiple directorships — you only need to verify once. Your Companies House personal code works across all your directorships and company roles.

ACSP vs GOV.UK One Login — Which Should You Choose?

Feature	ACSP (Edward Young)	GOV.UK One Login
Overseas directors	Fully supported	Limited support
Non-UK passports	Accepted (online and in-person)	May not be compatible
No smartphone	In-person option available	Requires smartphone
Speed	24–48 hours online, same-day in-person	Variable
Support	Dedicated team, phone and email	Government helpline
Bulk verifications	Discounted rates for 6+	One at a time
Filing included	Yes — we file with Companies House	Self-service

The GOV.UK One Login service works well for UK residents with a UK passport or UK photocard driving licence. For overseas directors, non-UK nationals, those without compatible ID documents, or companies needing to verify multiple directors efficiently, an ACSP like Edward Young is the practical choice.

How Much Does Companies House Identity Verification Cost?

Our ACSP identity verification service is priced on a fixed-fee basis:

• 1–5 verifications: £125 plus VAT per person
• 6–20 verifications: £100 plus VAT per person
• 21–100 verifications: £75 plus VAT per person
• 100+ verifications: Custom quote
• Verify Elite: £350 plus VAT per person

The fee includes the full ID check, filing with Companies House, and confirmation of your personal code. There are no hidden charges.

For accountancy practices, law firms and company secretaries managing multiple clients, we offer volume arrangements and dedicated account management. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

Why Choose Edward Young for Identity Verification?

Edward Young Notaries & Lawyers has been verifying identities professionally since 2004. We are regulated by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury as notaries public, and by the Solicitors Regulation Authority as non-practising solicitors. We are registered with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider and supervised by the Faculty Office for anti-money laundering compliance.

Zero rejection rate — our verification checks are thorough and accurate. We have never had a verification rejected by Companies House.

20+ years’ experience — identity verification is our core business. We handle hundreds of verifications every month for directors of UK companies and overseas entities.

Professional indemnity insurance — every verification is covered by our professional indemnity insurance, giving you an additional layer of protection.

GDPR-compliant data handling — your personal information and ID documents are stored securely on EU-hosted servers with encryption in transit and at rest. We retain documents for seven years as required by anti-money laundering regulations, then securely destroy them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA)?
The ECCTA is legislation passed in 2023 that reformed Companies House powers and introduced mandatory identity verification for company directors, LLP members and persons with significant control. Its purpose is to prevent the misuse of UK corporate structures for fraud, money laundering and other economic crime.

What is an ACSP?
An Authorised Corporate Service Provider is a regulated professional — such as a solicitor, notary or accountant — who is registered with Companies House to verify identities and file documents on behalf of clients. ACSPs must be supervised for anti-money laundering by an approved body. Learn more about our ACSP service →

Can I use my passport for online verification?
Yes, provided it is a biometric passport (containing an electronic chip). Most passports issued after 2006 are biometric. You can check by looking for the chip symbol on the front cover.

What if I am an overseas director and cannot attend in person?
Our online verification service works from anywhere in the world. You need a biometric passport and a smartphone with a camera. The process takes approximately five minutes.

Do I need to verify separately for each directorship?
No. Once verified, your Companies House personal code applies to all your directorships and company roles. You verify once.

What happens if I do not verify my identity?
Non-compliance is a criminal offence. Companies House can refuse to accept filings from unverified directors, and you may face financial penalties.

Can the Post Office verify my identity for Companies House?
The Post Office identity verification service does not currently apply to Companies House director verification under the ECCTA. You must use either an ACSP or the GOV.UK One Login service.

What is a Companies House personal code?
A personal code is a unique identifier issued to you by Companies House once your identity has been verified. You use this code for all future filings and it confirms to Companies House that you are who you claim to be.

Book your Companies House identity verification today. Online verification takes 5 minutes — contact us on 020 7499 2605 or complete our online form to get started. Fixed fees from £125 plus VAT.