Identity Verification Guidance
(Jan 2026 updated)
📅 09/01/2026
There are different ways to verify your identity with Companies House:
- Using the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service online (free of charge)
- Using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
If you choose to verify online by yourself, please follow the steps below:
1. Visit the Gov.uk website:
Please visit the link below to initiate the online verification process:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house
You will be guided to the following page to register your Gov.uk One Login or log in using existing account.
You will be guided to the following page to register your Gov.uk One Login or log in using existing account.
https://signin.account.gov.uk/sign-in-or-create
Follow the steps on the website. Answer these questions: Has your identity been verified for Companies House? – click ‘No’, if you agree.
Next page: We're taking you to verify your identity with GOV.UK One Login – click Continue.
Next page: Where do you live? – UK, Channel Island or Isle of Man or any other country – select one.
Next page: Do you have any of these types of photo ID? – Click Yes, if you have any one of ID at step 2 below and prepare your Photo ID from this list.
Next page: Are you on a computer or a tablet right now? – click accordingly.
Next page: Do you have a smartphone you can use? – select according to your mobile phone software.
Next page: Do you have a valid passport? Select according to the original documents you have as per step 2 above.
Next page: If you have selected yes - Does your passport have this symbol on the cover? Select according to type of passport you have
If you have selected iPhone - Which iPhone model do you have? – select your answer according to model of your iPhone.
2. Download the GOV.UK ID Check App:
You will be prompted to download the GOV.UK ID Check app. Click Continue and Follow the instructions to download and install the app on your smartphone.
Use your passport and an app to prove your identity – Click Continue.
Link the App:
Use a QR Code provided on the Gov.uk website to download the app. This will link the GOV.UK website to your app, allowing you to continue with the identity verification process. Follow the steps in the app to link to your computer using the QR code and scan your face as required – this is known as a “liveness” check.
3. Complete the Verification:
You will see in the app that your photo has been successfully matched to the ID. Click Continue.
Confirm your post code and address and the year you moved in at this address.
You will then receive this message – ‘We need to check your details’ – click continue.
You’ve successfully proved your identity. You can now continue to the service you need to use.
Once the app has verified your identity, you will be redirected to the GOV.UK One Login website. You will be presented with a personal code. Please take a screenshot of this personal code on your mobile device. In some cases, Companies House has failed to provide the personal code after this stage.
Please email your personal code to the individual responsible for filing the next confirmation statement for your company or for arranging your appointment as a director or PSC of an existing company or a new company to be incorporated.
Please do not share this code with anyone else.
If you are a director, PSC, or member of any other LLP, you will need this code when filing the next confirmation statement for your company or LLP.
Disclaimer
The Companies House system is subject to updates and changes from time to time. Accordingly, where any inconsistency arises between this document and the most current information held within the relevant Companies House systems, the latter shall prevail.