Companies House Identity Verification for Overseas PSCs

If you are a person with significant control (PSC) of a UK company but live overseas, you must complete Companies House identity verification remotely. This guide covers the specific requirements and process for overseas PSCs.

The verification requirement for overseas PSCs

Under ECCTA, every PSC must verify their identity, regardless of where they live. As an overseas PSC, you have the same obligation as a UK-based PSC and face the same deadlines. The difference is in the practical route you take to verify.

Your verification route

Most overseas PSCs will use the ACSP route, which accepts foreign identity documents and operates entirely online. GOV.UK One Login is only available if you hold a UK passport or UK driving licence.

Accepted documents for overseas PSCs

• Foreign passport (most nationalities accepted)
• National identity card (from countries that issue them)

The document must be current and contain a clear photograph. Check the requirements page for the full list.

PSC-specific requirements

As a PSC, you need to provide your personal code for each company where you hold a PSC role. If you are a PSC of three UK companies, you link your code three times. If you are also a director, the directorship requires a separate link.

The remote process

1. Register with the ACSP online
2. Provide your personal details, residential address and company numbers
3. Upload your identity document
4. Complete the liveness check
5. Receive your personal code
6. Provide your code for each PSC role through Companies House online filing

PSC deadlines for overseas applicants

The deadlines are identical to UK-based PSCs. Each PSC has an individual 14-day window, and the overall backstop is November 2026. Your window depends on whether you are also a director of the same company and when the company’s confirmation statement is due.

Common challenges

• Name transliteration: check your name on the Companies House register matches your passport
• Multiple roles: if you are both a director and PSC, link your code to each role separately
• Address: provide your actual overseas residential address

Get started

Companies House ID Verification supports overseas PSCs with a fixed £19 fee. The process is online, guided, and available from any country. Don’t wait until your deadline — verify now and have your personal code ready.