Companies House PSC ID Verification Explained

Companies House PSC ID verification is the process by which a person with significant control proves their identity to meet new legal requirements. Introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA), this identity check is designed to make the Companies House register more accurate and harder to abuse.

What PSC ID verification involves

PSC ID verification requires you to prove that you are the person recorded as a PSC on the Companies House register. The process involves submitting identity documents, completing a check to confirm you are a real person (not a fabricated identity), and receiving a unique 11-character personal code. This code must then be linked to your PSC role at each company where you are registered.

Why ECCTA introduced PSC checks

Before ECCTA, the PSC register relied on self-declared information. Anyone could claim to be a PSC without proving their identity. This weakness was exploited in economic crime — shell companies could list fictitious individuals as their owners. PSC ID verification closes this loophole by requiring every PSC to verify through a recognised process.

The two ways to verify

Companies House offers two official routes for PSC identity verification:

• GOV.UK One Login — a self-service digital route requiring a UK passport or UK driving licence. You complete the process yourself through the GOV.UK website.
• An ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider) — a guided route where a registered provider verifies your identity on your behalf. This route accepts a wider range of documents, including foreign passports and national ID cards.

Both routes produce the same result: a verified identity and a personal code. Choose the route that matches your documents and circumstances. See our how it works page for a detailed walkthrough.

What documents you need

For GOV.UK One Login, you need a UK passport or UK driving licence. For ACSP verification, accepted documents typically include:

• Passport (UK or foreign)
• National identity card
• Driving licence (UK or certain foreign)

You also need your full name, date of birth, residential address and the company numbers for your PSC roles. Check our requirements page for the complete list.

After verification: the personal code

Once verified, your personal code is yours for life (unless it is compromised and needs replacing). You use the same code across every company role you hold. However, you must provide it separately for each PSC position and each directorship. Having the code does not automatically link it to your roles — you need to take action through the Companies House online service.

Deadlines and consequences

Existing PSCs must complete identity verification by November 2026. Missing your deadline can result in a public register annotation, financial penalties and criminal liability. New PSCs must verify before or shortly after being registered.

Companies House ID Verification offers a guided ACSP verification service for PSCs at a fixed £19 fee, supporting both UK and international applicants.