Identity verification
Companies House identity verification, from anywhere
Every UK company director and person with significant control (PSC) must verify their identity with Companies House and get a personal code. If the free GOV.UK route doesn't work for you, we can verify you as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
Free deadline check
When is your company's deadline?
Your directors must verify their identity before your next confirmation statement. Start typing your company name to see that date.
Free, and we don't store what you type.
The short answer
- Who: every director and every person with significant control of a UK company.
- When: a director must be verified before the company's next confirmation statement. Companies House won't accept the statement until every director on it has verified.
- Free: through GOV.UK, if you can use one of its routes below.
- Through us: £50 per person within 3 working days, or £99 Express the same working day, once your documents are in. Prices and details.
- Then: Companies House emails your personal code, usually 24 to 48 hours after we file.
Last updated
The free GOV.UK routes, and why they don't suit everyone
You can verify for free with Companies House in three ways:
- The GOV.UK One Login app, with a passport that has a chip and a phone that can read it (iPhone 8 or later on iOS 16.7 or later, or Android 10 or later)
- In person at a UK Post Office, which needs a UK home address
- With UK bank details and a National Insurance number
Many founders abroad can't use any of them: their passport has no chip, their phone can't read it, or they have no UK address, bank account or National Insurance number. That's when an ACSP can verify you instead.
Verifying with us, step by step
Order online
Pay securely and get your verification link by email.
Verify in about ten minutes
Photograph your ID, take a selfie, and upload a proof of address from the last three months.
We review and file
A person checks your case and we file it with Companies House, which emails you your personal code, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
What you need
- A passport or national identity card
- A phone or computer with a camera
- A proof of address from the last three months, such as a bank statement or utility bill
Good to know
- Any passport or national ID card, any nationality
- A person checks every case
- Free retakes, and a full refund if we can't verify you
- Launchese Ltd is registered with Companies House as an ACSP (AP020671)
Starting a new company with us? You don't need to order this: we verify every director and PSC inside your company order. See how it works.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions directors ask us about identity verification.
What is a Companies House personal code?
An 11-character code that Companies House emails you once your identity is verified. It's yours, not the company's, and it covers all your directorships.
Do I need this?
Every director and every person with significant control (PSC) of a UK company must verify their identity. Companies House won't accept your next confirmation statement until every director named on it has verified.
Can I do it for free?
Yes. Verifying directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login is free. It works best with a passport that has a biometric chip and a phone that can read it. If that doesn't work for you, we can verify you.
How long does it take?
Standard: within 3 working days of receiving all your documents. Express: the same working day once your documents are in. Companies House then emails you your personal code, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
I'm forming a company with Launchese. Do I order this separately?
No. If you're forming a company with us, we arrange your verification inside your company order. This page is for directors of existing companies.
What if you can't verify me?
Retakes are free. If we can't verify your identity, we refund you in full.
I'm a PSC, not a director. When do I need to verify?
A person with significant control who isn't a director gives their personal code in the first 14 days of their birth month.