Companies House ID Verification for US Directors

American directors of UK companies are legally required to verify their identity with Companies House. This guide covers everything US directors need to know about the process, from which documents to use to how to provide your personal code.

The requirement for US directors

Under ECCTA, every director of a UK company must verify their identity and obtain an 11-character Companies House personal code. This applies to American citizens and US residents who are directors, whether they were appointed recently or have held the role for years. The deadline for existing directors is November 2026.

US passport: the key document

Your US passport is the document you will need. State-issued driver’s licences, Social Security cards and other US identification are not accepted for Companies House verification. If your passport has expired, you will need to renew it through the US Department of State before you can complete verification.

Ensure that:

• Your passport is current and valid
• The photo page is undamaged and clearly legible
• Your name matches the Companies House register exactly (including middle names or initials)
• The machine-readable zone at the bottom is intact

ACSP route for US directors

Since GOV.UK One Login requires a UK passport or UK driving licence, American directors should use the ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider) route. An ACSP verifies your identity using your US passport, completes the required checks and submits the verification to Companies House on your behalf.

What to do with your personal code

Once you receive your personal code, you must provide it to Companies House. For directors, this is typically done when your company files its next confirmation statement. If you are a director of multiple UK companies, provide the same code for each one — you do not need to verify again.

Keep your personal code secure. You will need it for future filings and should store it as you would any other sensitive credential.

Consequences of not verifying

After November 2026, acting as a director without verification is a criminal offence. Companies House will also annotate the public register, making it visible that you have not completed verification. This can affect your company’s credibility and your ability to file documents.

Get started as a US director

Companies House ID Verification supports American directors with a straightforward process and a fixed £19 fee. Review how the process works and start your verification today.