Companies House Identity Verification for Foreign Directors

Companies House identity verification for foreign directors follows the same legal framework as for UK nationals, but the practical route is different. This comprehensive guide covers the process from document preparation to receiving your personal code.

The legal requirement

Under ECCTA, every director of a UK company must verify their identity with Companies House. This includes foreign nationals serving as directors, whether they live in the UK or abroad. There are no exemptions based on nationality or residency.

Choosing your verification route

Foreign directors have two options:

• GOV.UK One Login: only available if you hold a UK passport or UK driving licence. Some foreign nationals who are UK residents may have a UK driving licence.
• ACSP: the primary route for foreign directors without UK documents. Accepts foreign passports and national identity cards.

Preparing your documents

Before starting, gather the following:

• Your current passport (not expired)
• Your full legal name as shown on the passport
• Your date of birth
• Your residential address (in any country)
• The company number for each UK company where you are a director

Critically, check that your name on the Companies House register matches your passport. Transliteration differences (e.g., Muhammad vs Mohammed, or different romanisations of Chinese, Arabic or Hindi names) are a common source of problems.

The verification process

1. Register with an ACSP service online
2. Provide your personal and company details
3. Upload clear images of your identity document
4. Complete the liveness verification (selfie or video)
5. The ACSP verifies your identity against the required standard
6. Companies House issues your 11-character personal code

After receiving your personal code

Once you have your code, provide it for each directorship you hold through the Companies House online filing service. If you are also a PSC, you need to link the code separately for that role. Your code is permanent and works across all your UK company roles.

Deadlines

New directors must verify before their appointment is registered. Existing directors have until November 2026. Do not wait — verifying early protects you against unexpected delays.

Companies House ID Verification supports foreign directors with a fixed £19 fee and a fully online process. Visit our how it works page for a complete walkthrough.