Complete Guide to Companies House Identity Verification

Common causes:

• ID is expired – renew your passport or driving licence first
• Photos are blurry or have glare – retake in better lighting
• Corners of ID are cut off – ensure entire document is visible
• Wrong type of ID – must be UK passport or photocard driving licence

Solution: Fix the issue identified in your rejection email and try again. Most people succeed on their second attempt with better quality photos.

If your birth date on your ID doesn't match what Companies House has on file, you need to:

1. Update Companies House first: File a change of director details to correct your date of birth
2. Wait for confirmation: Allow 24-48 hours for records to update
3. Then verify: Attempt verification again with correct details

LOYALS clients: We handle this for you. Just let us know and we'll file the correction immediately, then guide you through verification once it's updated.

Security questions are based on your UK credit history. If you can't answer them (perhaps you're new to the UK, have recently moved, or have a thin credit file), try these alternatives:

• App verification: Use the GOV.UK ID Check app instead (if you have a UK passport)
• Post Office: Visit a participating branch for face-to-face verification
• Update records: Ensure your address is current on the electoral register

Troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure your phone has NFC enabled (usually in Settings > Connections)
• Remove phone case – thick cases block NFC signals
• Clean your passport's chip page – dirt can interfere
• Hold passport flat against phone back, moving slowly until it detects
• Try a different phone if available

Still not working? Switch to security questions or Post Office verification instead.

Don't worry, your personal code is stored in your Companies House account. To retrieve it:

1. Sign in to your Companies House account at gov.uk/guidance/companies-house-account
2. Navigate to "Manage account"
3. Select "View your personal code"
4. Your 11-character code will be displayed

Pro tip: Save it in your password manager or secure notes so you don't lose it again.

If you believe someone else has access to your personal code, act immediately:

1. Contact Companies House: Use their contact form at gov.uk/contact-companies-house
2. Request new code: They will cancel your old code and issue a new one
3. Update records: Once you receive the new code, update it across all your companies
4. Secure your accounts: Change passwords and enable two-factor authentication

LOYALS clients: Contact us immediately and we'll handle the entire process on your behalf, including liaising with Companies House and updating all your company records.

If your confirmation statement deadline is approaching and you haven't verified yet, take these steps NOW:

1. Start immediately: Don't wait another day – begin verification right now
2. Choose fastest method: App verification or security questions are usually quicker than Post Office
3. Have everything ready: Valid ID, good camera, quiet private space
4. Follow instructions carefully: Rushing leads to mistakes and rejection

Need urgent help? Call LOYALS on 07450 258975 – we can guide you through step-by-step right now (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm).

All company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity with Companies House. This includes:

• Sole directors of limited companies
• Multiple directors (all must verify individually)
• People with significant control (PSCs) – typically anyone with more than 25% ownership, voting rights, or right to appoint/remove directors
• New appointments made after March 2024 (must verify before appointment)
• Existing directors and PSCs (must verify by next confirmation statement deadline)

This is a legal requirement introduced to prevent misuse of companies for illegal purposes. Even if you're the sole director and shareholder, you must verify.

The deadline depends on your situation:

• Existing directors and PSCs: Must verify by your company's next confirmation statement deadline. This is typically the anniversary of when your company was incorporated (or the last confirmation statement date).
• New directors and PSCs: Must verify BEFORE being appointed. You cannot be legally appointed until you've completed verification.
• After the deadline: If all directors aren't verified by the confirmation statement deadline, your company cannot file its confirmation statement. This leads to penalties and potential strike-off from the register.

Our advice: Don't wait until the deadline. Verify as soon as possible to avoid last-minute stress and potential complications.

The time varies depending on your chosen verification method:

• GOV.UK ID Check app: 5-10 minutes once you're ready with your UK passport
• Security questions online: 10-20 minutes if you have good credit history in the UK
• Post Office verification: 30-45 minutes including travel time and potential queuing

After successful verification, you receive your personal code immediately (or within a few hours for Post Office method). The entire process from start to finish typically takes less than 30 minutes if you have your documents ready and encounter no issues.

Important: Build in extra time in case you need to retry due to photo quality issues or technical glitches. Start at least a week before your deadline.

You must have ONE of the following valid (not expired) photo IDs:

• UK passport (biometric passport with chip – must be current)
• UK photocard driving licence (full or provisional – must be current)

Important restrictions:

• ID must not be expired – even by one day
• Old paper driving licences are NOT accepted
• Birth certificates are NOT accepted
• Foreign/international passports are NOT accepted
• Utility bills are NOT accepted
• National insurance cards are NOT accepted

If your ID has expired, you must renew it before attempting verification. There are no exceptions to these ID requirements.

Absolutely! We offer comprehensive identity verification support to all our clients:

• FREE verification guidance when you join any LOYALS accounting package (from £150/month)
• Step-by-step walkthrough over the phone or video call – we stay with you throughout the process
• Technical troubleshooting if you encounter any issues
• Document preparation ensuring all your details match Companies House records
• Personal code management storing your code securely and using it for all future filings
• Deadline tracking we monitor your confirmation statement dates and remind you well in advance

Our team has successfully guided 500+ London business owners through this process. We know every common issue and how to solve it. You won't have to figure anything out alone.

Book a free consultation: loyals.uk/book-a-call or call 07450 258975

Your Companies House personal code is an 11-character unique identifier (format: ABCD-1234-EFGH) that proves your identity has been verified. Key points:

• Personal to you: The code belongs to you as an individual, not to any specific company
• Used for all filings: Required whenever you file documents with Companies House (confirmation statements, changes to company details, etc.)
• Works across companies: One code works for all companies where you're a director or PSC
• Never expires: Once verified, your code remains valid indefinitely unless compromised
• Must be kept secure: Don't share your personal code with anyone – it's like a password

You can view your personal code anytime by signing into your Companies House account under "Manage account" > "Your personal code".

LOYALS clients: We securely store your personal code and handle all Companies House filings on your behalf – you never need to worry about entering it yourself.

Failing to verify has serious consequences:

• Cannot file confirmation statement: After your deadline passes, Companies House will not accept your confirmation statement unless all directors are verified
• Late filing penalties: £150+ penalties for late confirmation statements (even if it's late because you haven't verified)
• Company strike-off: Persistent non-filing can lead to your company being struck off the register
• Criminal offence: Continuing to act as a director after the deadline without verification may constitute an offence under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
• Personal liability: Directors and the company entity could face fines and legal action

Bottom line: This isn't optional. It's a legal requirement with real consequences. If you're overwhelmed, LOYALS can handle the entire process for you – don't risk penalties by putting it off.

Yes! Post Office verification is a great option if:

• You're not comfortable with online verification
• You don't have a smartphone with NFC capability
• You can't answer the online security questions
• You prefer face-to-face verification
• Online verification has failed multiple times

How it works:

1. Start online and enter your photo ID details
2. Select "Post Office" as your verification method
3. Download and print your customer letter (contains QR code)
4. Find a participating Post Office near you
5. Take your letter and original photo ID to the branch
6. Staff will scan your QR code, verify your ID, take your photo, and scan your documents
7. You'll receive your personal code by email within a few hours

Tip: Call the Post Office branch before visiting to confirm they offer identity verification services and check for quiet times to avoid long queues.

Don't panic – failed verifications are common and usually easily fixed. Here's what to do:

1. Check your email: You'll receive an explanation of why verification failed (e.g., photo quality, expired ID, mismatched details)
2. Fix the issue: Address the specific problem identified (retake photos, update details, renew ID)
3. Try again: You can attempt verification multiple times – there's no limit or penalty for retrying
4. Try different method: If app verification fails, try security questions or Post Office

Common failure reasons and fixes:

• Poor photo quality: Retake in bright, even lighting with no glare
• Expired ID: Renew your passport or driving licence before retrying
• Mismatched details: Update your Companies House records first, then verify
• Failed security questions: Switch to app or Post Office verification

Need help? LOYALS clients get expert troubleshooting support. We'll diagnose the issue and walk you through the fix step-by-step. Call us on 07450 258975.

Yes, absolutely. The identity verification service is completely free:

• No charge from Companies House for the verification service itself
• No charge from GOV.UK for using GOV.UK One Login
• No charge from Post Office if you choose in-person verification
• No charge for your personal code once verified

The only potential costs you might incur are:

• Renewing your passport or driving licence if it's expired (but you'd need to do this anyway)
• Travel costs if you choose Post Office verification
• Professional help from an accountant (though many, including LOYALS, offer this free to clients)

LOYALS clients: We provide free identity verification support when you join any of our accounting packages. No hidden fees, no surprises – just comprehensive help included in your monthly subscription.

No! This is great news for people with multiple directorships:

• Verify once, use everywhere: You only need to complete identity verification one time as an individual
• One personal code: The 11-character code you receive works across all companies where you're a director or PSC
• Same code for all roles: Whether you're director, secretary, or PSC, you use the same personal code
• No need to re-verify: Once verified, you're verified – even if you're appointed to new companies in the future

What you DO need to do:

• Link your personal code to each company by filing the appropriate forms with Companies House
• Ensure your personal code is on record for each directorship before that company's confirmation statement deadline

LOYALS clients: We handle linking your personal code across all your companies automatically. You verify once, we do the rest.

This is challenging because Companies House only accepts UK passports or UK photocard driving licences for identity verification. Your options:

1. Apply for a UK driving licence: If you're a UK resident and don't have one, this is often the quickest route (provisional licences are accepted)
2. Apply for British citizenship/passport: If eligible, apply for British nationality and then a UK passport
3. Use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP): These are Companies House-registered agents who can verify your identity on your behalf. They can use different verification methods than individuals.
4. Seek legal advice: If you're a director but cannot obtain acceptable UK ID, consult a corporate lawyer about your options

Important: There is currently no alternative accepted ID for personal verification. Foreign passports, birth certificates, and other documents are not accepted.

LOYALS can help: We'll assess your situation and recommend the best path forward, whether that's applying for UK ID or using an ACSP. Contact us for personalized guidance: 07450 258975