How to Complete Companies House Verification From the USA

US-based directors and PSCs of UK companies must complete Companies House identity verification under ECCTA. The process is fully online and can be completed from any US state without visiting the UK.

Why US directors must verify

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act requires identity verification for all directors and PSCs of UK companies, regardless of nationality. American citizens and US residents who serve on the boards of UK companies or hold significant control must obtain a Companies House personal code by November 2026.

Accepted US documents

GOV.UK One Login requires a UK passport or driving licence, which most US-based applicants will not have. The ACSP route accepts:

• US passport — the standard accepted document. Must be current and machine-readable.
• US passport card — may not be accepted by all providers as it is a limited-use document. A full US passport book is strongly recommended.

Note that a US driver’s licence or state ID is not accepted as a primary identity document for Companies House verification. A US passport is required.

Step-by-step process from the US

1. Check that your name on the Companies House register matches your US passport exactly
2. Choose an ACSP that supports US passport holders
3. Create an account and enter your details, including your US residential address
4. Upload a clear image of your US passport data page
5. Complete the liveness check via your device camera
6. Receive your personal code and provide it to Companies House

Time zone and processing

The US spans multiple time zones, from Eastern (UTC-5) to Pacific (UTC-8), all behind the UK. You can submit your documents at any time, and processing typically happens during UK business hours. Allow one to two working days for standard processing.

Common considerations for US applicants

• Middle name usage — US passports may include a middle name that was not recorded at Companies House, or vice versa. Check and correct any discrepancies before starting.
• Dual citizens — if you hold both US and British passports, you may use either. A British passport allows use of GOV.UK One Login directly.
• Payment — fees are typically in GBP. US credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) work internationally. Your bank will apply the exchange rate at the time of payment.

Verify from the US with Companies House ID Verification

Companies House ID Verification provides a guided service for US-based directors and PSCs at a fixed £19 per person fee. See document requirements to confirm your US passport qualifies, then start your verification.