Companies House Director ID Verification: Complete Guide

This is the complete guide to Companies House director ID verification - everything you need to know from start to finish. If you are a director of a UK company, this guide covers your obligations, the process, the deadlines and the consequences.

Your obligation

Under ECCTA, every director of a UK limited company must verify their identity with Companies House. There are no exemptions. This applies whether you are based in the UK or overseas, whether your company is active or dormant, and whether you were appointed before or after 18 November 2025.

The process in full

1. Choose a route - GOV.UK One Login (free, UK documents only) or an ACSP (broader documents, guided support)
2. Gather documents - valid photo ID, personal details matching the Companies House register, company numbers
3. Complete verification - submit your document, pass the liveness check, receive your personal code
4. Provide your code - link it to each directorship via the confirmation statement

Accepted documents

Through GOV.UK One Login: UK passport or UK driving licence only. Through an ACSP like Companies House ID Verification: passports (UK and international), national ID cards and driving licences. See our requirements page.

Cost

GOV.UK One Login is free. Companies House ID Verification charges a fixed £19 per director. There are no additional fees, tiers or hidden charges.

Timeline

The application takes about 15 minutes. Most verifications are confirmed within the same working day. Additional checks, where needed, may take longer.

Deadlines

• New directors: must verify before appointment is registered
• Existing directors: must verify by November 2026

Consequences of non-compliance

• Public register notation
• Restrictions on appointments and filings
• Criminal liability for acting as an unverified director

Multiple directorships

Verify once, use the same personal code for all directorships. Provide it separately for each company.

International directors

Overseas directors have the same obligations. The process is fully online. Companies House ID Verification accepts international documents and supports directors from any country.

Start now

Begin your director ID verification with Companies House ID Verification. £19 per director, guided process, UK and international support.