Companies House Identity Verification: Complete FAQ Guide 2025

Quick Facts About Companies House ID Verification

• Mandatory Date: 18 November 2025
• Who Must Verify: All UK company directors, PSCs, LLP members
• Cost (DIY): Free via GOV.UK One Login
• Cost (ACSP): £19+VAT with Mint Formations (cheapest in UK)
• Processing Time: 48 hours with Mint Formations ACSP service
• Penalty for Non-Compliance: Criminal offence, director disqualification, company strike-off

General Questions

What is Companies House identity verification?

Companies House identity verification is a mandatory legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. Every person holding a qualifying role (director, PSC, LLP member) must prove their identity to Companies House. You’ll receive a unique Companies House personal code after verification, which must be used in all future filings from 18 November 2025.

When does Companies House identity verification become mandatory?

Identity verification becomes legally mandatory on 18 November 2025. However, your personal deadline depends on your role:

• Current directors: Must provide personal code in next confirmation statement after 18 Nov 2025
• New directors: Must verify before appointment from 18 Nov 2025
• PSCs: Have a 14-day window to provide personal code (dates vary by circumstances)
• Transition period: 12 months from 18 Nov 2025 to 18 Nov 2026 for existing directors

Who needs to verify their identity with Companies House?

You must verify if you are:

• A director of a private limited company or PLC
• A Person with Significant Control (PSC) – someone with over 25% ownership or voting rights
• A member of a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
• A general partner in a limited partnership
• A company secretary who files documents
• A managing officer of other corporate bodies
• An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

Important: You only verify once in your lifetime, even if you have multiple roles across multiple companies.

Do I need to verify separately for each company?

No. You verify your identity once and receive one personal code. You then use this same code for all your roles across all companies. However, you must provide the code separately for each company role you hold (in confirmation statements or PSC notifications).

What happens if I don’t verify my identity by the deadline?

Consequences are severe:

• Immediate: Companies House rejects any filing without required personal codes
• Criminal offence: Acting as a director without verification is a criminal offence
• Financial penalties: Late filing penalties starting at £150
• Director disqualification: You can be banned from being a director
• Company strike-off: Your company may be removed from the register
• Business disruption: Cannot open bank accounts, secure contracts, or make company changes

ACSP vs DIY Verification

What is an ACSP and why would I use one?

An ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider) is a professional agent registered with Companies House and a UK Anti-Money Laundering supervisory body. ACSPs can verify your identity on your behalf. Reasons to use an ACSP:

• Convenience: No GOV.UK One Login navigation, no Post Office visits
• Expert guidance: Know exactly which documents to submit
• International access: Can verify from any country
• Higher success rate: Professional review prevents rejections
• Faster processing: 48 hours with Mint Formations vs unpredictable DIY timing
• Minimal hassle: Submit documents once through secure portal

How much does ACSP identity verification cost?

ACSP verification costs vary by provider:

• Mint Formations: £19 + VAT (£22.80 total) – cheapest UK ACSP
• UK Property Accountants: £40
• AJN Accountants: £100 + VAT
• Edward Young Notaries: £125 + VAT
• Other providers: £45-£250

Mint Formations offers the most affordable ACSP service in the UK at just £19+VAT.

ACSP vs GOV.UK One Login: Which should I choose?

Recommendation: If you’re a UK resident with a biometric passport and confident with technology, try GOV.UK One Login first. For everyone else, especially international directors or those who value convenience, an ACSP is worth the small investment.

Can I verify through GOV.UK One Login if I live abroad?

Possibly, but with significant challenges:

• You need a biometric passport (chip-enabled)
• The system may require a UK credit history for security questions
• Document uploads must meet strict quality requirements
• Post Office verification is not accessible outside the UK

For international directors, using an ACSP like Mint Formations is the most reliable option. We regularly verify identities for directors worldwide.

Documents and Process

What documents do I need to verify my identity?

You typically need:

Photo ID (one of):

• Valid UK or international passport (biometric preferred)
• UK photocard driving licence
• EEA national identity card
• Biometric residence permit

Proof of Address (one of):

• Utility bill (gas, electricity, water) – last 3 months
• Council tax bill – current year
• Bank statement – last 3 months
• Mortgage statement – current year
• UK driving licence with current address

Document requirements:

• Must be current (not expired)
• Must be clearly legible
• Must show full document (all corners visible)
• Must be in color for photo ID
• The address must match exactly across documents

How long does identity verification take?

Timing varies by method:

• GOV.UK One Login: Minutes to weeks, depending on verification route assigned (security questions, document uploads, or Post Office visit). Multiple attempts are often needed if documents are rejected.
• ACSP (Mint Formations): 48 hours in most cases from document submission to receiving your personal code.

What is a Companies House personal code?

Your Companies House personal code is a unique identifier issued after successful verification. Key facts:

• It’s personal to you as an individual (not to any company)
• You receive it once and use it for life
• You must include it in confirmation statements from 18 Nov 2025
• New directors must provide it when being appointed
• PSCs must provide it when notifying their status
• Without it, Companies House will reject your filings
• Keep it secure like your HMRC UTR number
• Only share with trusted professionals who file on your behalf

Can someone verify my identity for me?

No one can verify on your behalf without your participation, but an ACSP can handle the process for you. You must:

• Provide your own identity documents
• Submit your own information
• Consent to the verification

An ACSP conducts the verification checks and submits everything to Companies House on your behalf, but you’re still the one being verified.

Specific Scenarios

I’m a director of multiple companies. Do I verify for each one?

No. You verify once, get one personal code, and use that same code for all your director roles across all companies. You’ll provide the code in each company’s confirmation statement, but you don’t repeat the verification process.

I’m planning to resign as director soon. Do I still need to verify?

Only if you’re still a director when your verification deadline arrives. If you resign before 18 November 2025 (or before your company’s next confirmation statement is due), you don’t need to verify for that role.

I don’t have a passport or a UK driving licence. Can I still verify?

This is challenging. Options include:

• Apply for a passport or provisional driving licence first
• Use a biometric residence permit if you have one
• Contact an ACSP to discuss alternative document options

Unfortunately, acceptable photo ID is limited. Most people will need to obtain a passport or a driving licence.

My documents are in a foreign language. Can I still verify?

Yes, but documents in foreign languages typically need certified translations. An ACSP can guide you on whether your specific documents require translation and help arrange this.

I’ve changed my name. How does this affect verification?

Verify using your current legal name. If your documents show different names (e.g., passport shows maiden name, you now use your married name), you may need additional evidence like a marriage certificate. An ACSP can guide you through this scenario.

What if I’m a director of a dormant company?

You still must verify. All directors must verify their identity regardless of whether the company is trading, dormant, or inactive. The requirement applies to anyone holding the legal position of director.

I’m under 18. Do I need to verify?

Yes, if you hold a qualifying role. The verification requirement applies to everyone aged 16+ who is a director, PSC, or holds another qualifying position.

Technical and Compliance Questions

Is my personal data safe during verification?

Yes. Both GOV.UK One Login and registered ACSPs must comply with UK GDPR regulations. Mint Formations:

• Uses encrypted portals for document uploads
• Follows strict data protection standards
• Is regulated by UK AML legislation
• Deletes documents after verification is complete
• Only retains records required by law

How do I check if an ACSP is legitimate?

Legitimate ACSPs must:

• Be registered with Companies House as an authorised agent
• Be supervised by a UK Anti-Money Laundering regulatory body
• Display their ACSP registration details
• Have a physical UK presence (office or established practice)

Mint Formations is a fully registered ACSP supervised under UK AML regulations.

What if I make a mistake during verification?

With GOV.UK One Login, errors often mean starting over completely. With an ACSP like Mint Formations, we review your information before submission and catch errors early. If corrections are needed after submission, we handle the resubmission process for you.

Can I verify now, even though it’s not mandatory yet?

Yes! Voluntary verification has been available since 8 April 2025. We strongly recommend verifying now to:

• Avoid the rush near the mandatory deadline
• Ensure your next confirmation statement isn’t delayed
• Give yourself time to resolve any issues
• Reduce stress and last-minute complications

Will Companies House remind me about my verification deadline?

Companies House displays due dates on the register from 18 November 2025, but it’s your responsibility to check and comply. Don’t wait for reminders – take proactive action now.

What if the verification system rejects my documents?

With GOV.UK One Login, rejections are common due to:

• Poor photo quality
• Document formatting issues
• Address mismatches
• System limitations

You’ll typically need to start over. With Mint Formations’ ACSP service, we review documents before submission and guide quality requirements, dramatically reducing rejection risk.

About Mint Formations ACSP Service

Why is Mint Formations the cheapest ACSP in the UK?

At £19 + VAT (£22.80 total), Mint Formations offers the UK’s most affordable ACSP identity verification service. We can offer this price because:

• We’re an established company formation specialist with efficient processes
• We’ve already invested in the technology infrastructure
• We believe in making compliance accessible to all businesses
• High volume allows us to keep costs low
• We see ACSP verification as a service to our community, not a profit center

What’s included in Mint Formations’ £19+VAT service?

• Expert guidance on which documents you need
• Secure, encrypted document upload portal
• Professional AML checks to Companies House standards
• Document review before submission
• Direct submission to Companies House
• Your Companies House personal code delivered promptly
• Ongoing support for future filings
• Verification is completed within 48 hours in most cases

How do I get started with Mint Formations?

1. Visit mintformations.co.uk or contact us
2. We’ll advise you on exactly which documents to prepare
3. Upload your documents through our secure portal
4. Our ACSP team verifies your identity and conducts AML checks
5. We submit to Companies House
6. You receive your personal code (usually within 48 hours)
7. We can handle your future confirmation statements and filings

Can Mint Formations verify international directors?

Yes. We regularly verify identities for directors living anywhere in the world. Our ACSP status allows us to handle international verifications that the DIY GOV.UK route makes it difficult or impossible. We work with directors in Europe, Asia, North America, Middle East, and beyond.

Do you offer bulk verification for multiple directors?

Yes. If you need to verify multiple directors or PSCs across one or more companies, contact us for streamlined processing. The price remains £19+VAT per person, and we can coordinate the entire process efficiently.

Post-Verification

What do I do after receiving my personal code?

1. Store it securely: Keep it with other important business documents
2. Share with trusted parties: Give it to your accountant or company secretary if they file on your behalf
3. Provide in filings: Include it in your next confirmation statement (from 18 Nov 2025)
4. Keep for future use: You’ll need it for any future director appointments or company formations

Do I need to renew my verification?

No. For most people, identity verification is a one-time lifetime requirement. You should not verify again unless Companies House specifically instructs you to do so.

I’ve verified, but my company secretary doesn’t know my code. What do I do?

Simply provide your personal code to your company secretary, accountant, or whoever files your confirmation statements. They need this code to complete your filings from 18 November 2025 onwards.

What if I lose my personal code?

Contact Companies House or the ACSP, who verified you (e.g., Mint Formations). They should be able to help you retrieve your code. Keep it stored securely to avoid this issue.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

What are the most common identity verification mistakes?

1. Waiting until the last minute: Verify now to avoid deadline rush and potential issues
2. Poor document quality: Blurry photos, cut-off corners, shadows, and reflections cause rejections
3. Address mismatches: Ensure all documents show your address in exactly the same format
4. Using expired documents: Check expiry dates on passports and licences before starting
5. Wrong verification method: Choosing DIY when ACSP would be more suitable for your circumstances
6. Verifying multiple times: You must only verify once unless Companies House tells you otherwise
7. Not keeping code secure: Treat your personal code like a password
8. Forgetting to provide the code: Remember to include it in your next confirmation statement

Contact Mint Formations

Ready to verify your identity with the UK’s most affordable ACSP service?

• Price: Just £19 + VAT (£22.80 total)
• Processing: 48 hours in most cases
• Support: Expert guidance throughout the process
• International: Verify from anywhere in the world

Visit: Mint Formations ACSP Service

Learn more: Complete Identity Verification Guide