If you are a person with significant control (PSC) of a UK company, you must complete Companies House identity verification and receive a personal code. This guide walks you through the process step by step — from choosing your verification route to linking your code to your PSC role.
Step 1: Confirm your PSC status
Before starting, check that you are recorded as a PSC on the Companies House register. Search for your company on the Companies House register and look at the “Persons with significant control” section. Make sure your name, date of birth and other details are accurate — discrepancies can prevent your personal code from linking correctly.
Step 2: Choose your verification route
There are two ways to complete PSC identity verification:
- GOV.UK One Login — self-service, requires a UK passport or UK driving licence. You complete the process directly on the GOV.UK website.
- Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) — a guided route that accepts a wider range of identity documents, including overseas passports. Suitable for PSCs who do not hold a UK passport or driving licence, or who prefer guided support.
If you live outside the UK or hold a foreign passport, the ACSP route will typically be your only option. Companies House ID Verification offers this as a guided online service for £19 per person.
Step 3: Gather your documents
The documents you need depend on your chosen route. For ACSP verification, you will typically need:
- A current photo identity document (passport, national ID card or driving licence)
- Your full legal name as it appears on your identity document
- Your date of birth
- Your current residential address
- The company number for each company where you are a PSC
Check our requirements page for the full list of accepted documents and any additional requirements for overseas applicants.
Step 4: Complete the identity check
Through an ACSP, the process typically involves submitting your identity documents securely online, completing a liveness check (a short video or photo to confirm you are the person in the document) and providing the required personal details. The ACSP carries out the checks and, once satisfied, confirms your identity to Companies House.
Step 5: Receive your personal code
Once your identity is verified, you will receive your 11-character Companies House personal code. This code belongs to you personally — not to a company. Store it securely, as you will need it for every PSC role and directorship you hold.
Step 6: Link your personal code to your PSC role
Having a personal code is not enough on its own. You must provide it for each company where you are a PSC using the official Companies House service. If you are a PSC of multiple companies, you need to repeat this step for each one. If you are also a director, you must link your code to your directorship separately.
The linking is done through the Companies House online filing service. Your company’s authorised filer can also do this on your behalf if you share your personal code with them securely.
When to complete PSC verification
Do not wait until the last moment. Each PSC has a specific 14-day window in which to provide their code, and the overall backstop deadline is November 2026. Completing verification early gives you time to resolve any issues with documents or register mismatches.
Read the full how it works guide for more detail on each stage of the process.