Identity Verification Service: Director or PSC

The Identity Verification Service is a specialist compliance offering designed to help company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) meet their legal obligation to verify their identity with Companies House. From 18 November 2025, identity verification became a mandatory requirement for anyone acting as a director or PSC of a UK company, as part of wider reforms aimed at reducing fraud and improving transparency on the public register.

This service provides a fast, secure route for individuals to complete their identity check through an approved verification partner, with verified details then submitted to Companies House on their behalf. Upon successful verification, the individual receives their Companies House personal code by email, which they must then link to each company role they hold within the relevant statutory timeframe.

For founders, existing directors, or PSCs who prefer not to navigate the GOV.UK One Login process themselves, or who lack the required photo ID documents, using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) offers a compliant alternative. Form My Company facilitates this process through its approved verification partner, ensuring submissions meet Companies House standards while minimising administrative burden on the individual.

What is included in the Identity Verification Service?

Fast and secure identity check for one Director or Person with Significant Control (PSC)

The service covers identity verification for a single individual acting either as a director or as a Person with Significant Control. This is particularly relevant because the legal requirement applies separately to each role: a person who is both a director and a PSC of the same company still only needs to verify once, but must then link their personal code to both roles within the appropriate deadlines.

The verification process itself is conducted digitally through an approved partner, meaning there is no need to post original documents or attend in-person appointments. This is especially valuable for overseas directors or PSCs who may not have easy access to UK Post Office verification routes. The check is designed to be completed quickly, with most users able to finish the process in a single session provided they have their identity documents ready.

Identity verification through our approved verification partner

Form My Company works with an approved verification partner to carry out identity checks in line with Companies House requirements. This partner is authorised to act as an ACSP, meaning they are registered with Companies House and supervised under UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations.

Using an ACSP rather than verifying directly via GOV.UK One Login can be advantageous for individuals who do not hold one of the accepted photo ID types (such as a biometric passport, UK photo driving licence, BRP, BRC, or Frontier Worker permit), or who prefer a guided process with support available if issues arise. The partner will request specific documents from an approved list as evidence of identity, then perform the verification on the individual’s behalf.

Secure submission of verified details to Companies House

Once identity verification is complete, the approved partner securely submits the verified details to Companies House. This step is critical because verification alone is not enough: the individual’s Companies House personal code must be formally linked to their company role(s) via the appropriate filing.

For new directors appointed during incorporation or via a director appointment filing, the personal code is provided as part of that submission. For existing directors, the code must be included in the company’s next confirmation statement. PSCs have a separate 14-day window in which they must submit their personal code and verification statement using the ‘Provide identity verification details for a PSC’ service.

By handling this submission through an authorised agent, the service reduces the risk of errors or missed deadlines that could result in the company being unable to file its confirmation statement, or the individual committing an offence.

Companies House personal code provided by email

Upon successful verification, the individual receives their unique Companies House personal code by email. This code is personal to the individual, not to any specific company, and will be used to link their verified identity to every director or PSC role they hold now or in future.

It is essential that this code is kept secure and only shared with trusted persons, such as company secretaries or formation agents who file on the company’s behalf. Losing the code does not mean re-verifying; instead, individuals can retrieve it via the GOV.UK service using their GOV.UK One Login credentials.gov

Recipients should treat the personal code with the same care as other sensitive identifiers like their Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), as misuse could enable unauthorised filings in their name.

Pricing breakdown

The Identity Verification Service is priced to reflect the specialist nature of the compliance work involved, including ACSP-supervised verification and secure submission to Companies House. The service fee covers the identity check for one director or PSC, use of the approved verification partner’s platform, and the filing of verified details to Companies House.

Companies House charges a statutory fee of £100 for identity verification when completed through an ACSP. This is separate from the service fee charged by Form My Company for facilitating the process. The total cost to the customer is therefore the sum of the service fee plus the £100 statutory fee.

For individuals who choose to verify directly via GOV.UK One Login, there is no statutory fee; however, this route requires the individual to have one of the accepted photo ID types and to navigate the verification process independently. The Identity Verification Service is designed for those who prefer a managed, supported route with the assurance of ACSP oversight.

Staying compliant: what happens after verification

Receiving your Companies House personal code is only the first step. To remain compliant, you must link that code to each company role you hold within the statutory timeframe. Failure to do so can result in the company being unable to file its confirmation statement, and in due course may lead to enforcement action against both the individual and the company.

For directors

If you are a new director appointed during company incorporation or via a director appointment filing, your personal code must be provided as part of that filing. For existing directors, you must include your personal code in your company’s next confirmation statement. Each director on the register must be verified before the confirmation statement can be successfully filed.www+1

The transition period for existing directors runs for 12 months from 18 November 2025, meaning most will need to verify and submit their code by November 2026 at the latest.gov+1

For PSCs

PSCs have a 14-day window in which they must submit their personal code and verification statement. The start date of this window depends on whether the PSC was registered before 18 November 2025 and whether they are also a director of the same company.gov+1

The submission is made via the dedicated ‘Provide identity verification details for a PSC’ service on GOV.UK, and must be completed electronically. Missing this deadline can result in the PSC committing an offence, with potential prosecution and financial penalties.www+2

Ongoing obligations

Once linked, your verified identity remains valid indefinitely unless Companies House instructs otherwise. However, you must ensure your personal details (such as name or address) are kept up to date on the register, and you must re-verify if explicitly asked to do so.

For companies with multiple directors or PSCs, it is important to track each individual’s verification status and deadline. Services such as company secretarial support can help ensure confirmation statements and PSC filings are submitted on time with all required verification details included.

Who is the Identity Verification Service for?

This service is aimed at:

• New company founders incorporating a private limited company who need to verify their identity as part of the incorporation process. If you are forming a company through a package such as the Private Limited (Ltd) Company or Entrepreneurs Choice Package, you will need to provide your personal code during registration.www+1

• Existing directors who have not yet verified and are approaching their confirmation statement deadline. With the 12-month transition period ending in November 2026, many directors will need to complete verification in the coming months to avoid filing delays.

• Persons with Significant Control who must submit their verification statement within 14 days of becoming a PSC, or within the designated window for existing PSCs. This includes individuals who qualify as PSCs by virtue of holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercise significant control over the company.

• Overseas directors and PSCs who may not have easy access to UK Post Office verification routes or who prefer a fully digital process with support. The ACSP route allows verification from any country, provided the agent is registered with Companies House.

• Individuals without accepted photo ID for GOV.UK One Login, such as those without a biometric passport or UK driving licence. The approved verification partner can accept alternative documents from an approved list.

If you are already using Form My Company for services such as director appointment, director resignation, or filing a confirmation statement, adding identity verification ensures your filings are not rejected due to missing verification details.

What happens after you buy the Identity Verification Service?

1. Order confirmation and onboarding: After purchase, you will receive an email with instructions on how to begin the identity verification process. This will include details of the approved verification partner and the documents you need to provide.

2. Document submission: You will be guided to upload or present your identity documents through the partner’s secure platform. The partner will confirm which documents are acceptable based on your circumstances.

3. Identity check: The partner will perform the verification check in line with Companies House requirements. This may involve additional security questions or steps depending on the documents provided.

4. Personal code issuance: Upon successful verification, your Companies House personal code will be generated and sent to you by email. You should store this securely.

5. Submission to Companies House: The partner will submit your verified details and personal code to Companies House, linking them to your company role(s) as appropriate. You will receive confirmation once this is complete.

6. Ongoing compliance: You must ensure your personal code is included in future filings where required, such as confirmation statements or new director appointments. If you take on additional roles, you will need to link your existing code to those roles within the relevant deadlines.

Why choose Form My Company?

Form My Company specialises in UK company formation and ongoing compliance services, with a focus on making complex regulatory requirements straightforward for founders and business owners. The Identity Verification Service is delivered through an approved verification partner, ensuring full compliance with Companies House rules while minimising disruption to your business activities.

By using Form My Company, you benefit from:

• Expert guidance: Clear instructions at each stage of the verification process, with support available if you encounter issues.

• Secure handling: Your identity documents and personal information are processed through an ACSP-regulated partner, with robust data protection measures in place.

• Integrated compliance: If you use other services such as company secretarial support, confirmation statement filing, or director appointment/resignation, your verification details can be seamlessly incorporated into those filings.

• Time savings: Avoiding the need to navigate GOV.UK One Login independently, particularly if you lack the required photo ID or prefer a managed route.

For more information on related services, you may wish to explore our Company Secretarial service, File a Confirmation Statement service, or Director Appointment service, all of which may require verified identity details to be submitted alongside the filing.

External guidance on identity verification requirements is available on the GOV.UK website, including detailed pages on who needs to verify, when verification is required, and how to use the GOV.UK One Login service.