Evidence Required for Identity Verification at Incorporation

From 18 November 2025, individuals involved in forming and managing a company in the United Kingdom must verify their identity as part of the company incorporation process. This requirement stems from reforms introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, aimed at combating fraud, money laundering and misuse of the corporate register. Identity verification ensures that directors and persons with significant control (PSCs) are genuine and correctly identified before a new company is registered at Companies House. This article explains what evidence is required for identity verification, how the process works, who must comply, legal standards that apply, and practical considerations for those incorporating a company in England and Wales.

Why Identity Verification Is Required

Identity verification has become a legal requirement under UK company law to improve transparency and protect the corporate register from economic crime. Individuals who establish, run, or control companies must prove their identity to ensure that Companies House can accurately record who is responsible for UK corporate entities. This applies to individuals when forming a company, being appointed as a director, or being registered as a PSC.

Who Needs to Verify Their Identity

The following individuals must undergo identity verification to partner in incorporation:

• Directors of a UK limited company or a company limited by guarantee.
• Persons with Significant Control (PSCs), defined as those who directly or indirectly hold significant shares or voting rights, or exercise significant influence over the company.
• Individuals filing official information about the company, such as a company secretary or authorised agent submitting incorporation documents.
• Equivalent roles in partnerships or overseas companies with UK registrations.

This requirement applies before incorporation for new companies and when new appointments are made for existing companies.

Methods of Verifying Identity

There are two primary routes for identity verification at incorporation:

1. Direct Verification via GOV.UK One Login

Individuals can verify their identity directly with Companies House using the GOV.UK One Login service. This online process usually involves:

• Creating a GOV.UK One Login account linked to a valid email address.
• Providing personal information such as full name, date of birth, home address and contact details.
• Uploading high‑quality photographic identification when prompted.
• Completing biometric checks where required (for example, facial recognition supplied by the GOV.UK One Login system).

For direct verification, only certain types of photo ID are accepted. These must be valid and unexpired, and they include:

• Biometric passport from any country.
• UK photo driving licence (full or provisional).
• UK biometric residence permit (BRP).
• UK biometric residence card (BRC).
• UK Frontier Worker permit (FWP).

Once successful, Companies House issues a personal verification code that must be quoted in incorporation filings.

2. Verification via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)

Individuals may choose to verify their identity through a third‑party provider called an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). These providers include regulated professionals such as accountants, solicitors, company secretaries or governance specialists who are registered to conduct identity verification and are supervised under UK anti‑money laundering (AML) rules.

When using an ACSP, the individual must provide approved identity evidence to the provider, who verifies it and submits confirmation to Companies House on behalf of the client. An ACSP must maintain appropriate AML controls, keep records of checks carried out, and comply with the identity verification standard required by law.

Evidence You Will Need for Verification

When verifying identity - whether directly or through an ACSP - individuals are required to provide documentary evidence that establishes their identity and, where appropriate, address history. This evidence is used to confirm that the person is who they claim to be and that they have a genuine, verifiable identity.

Primary Identity Documents

These are documents that demonstrate the individual's identity through official issuance, photograph and personal details:

• Passport - biometric passports are routinely accepted.
• Driving Licence - UK photograph licences (full or provisional).
• Biometric Residence Permits or Cards - UK immigration status documents.
• Other Government‑issued Photo ID that meets the digital service standards.

These documents must be current and unexpired. Expired documents are generally not acceptable unless explicitly indicated otherwise by the verifying service.

Supporting Evidence of Identity and Address

In some cases - particularly when verifying through an ACSP - additional evidence may be required to support identity verification. This can include:

• Evidence of activity or existence of identity, such as bank or credit card statements showing recent transactions.
• Utility bills or council tax bills addressed to the individual's home.
• Insurance policy documents that show the individual's home address.
• Address history covering the last 12 months, if required.

This supporting evidence helps the verifying party satisfy themselves that the identity provided is genuine and that the individual lives at the stated address.

How the Evidence Is Used and Recorded

Individuals and ACSPs that verify identities using documentary evidence must:

• Confirm that the documents are valid and genuine.
• Record key document details such as reference numbers, country of issue and expiry dates.
• Retain copies and records of checks for at least seven years.

Copies of the actual documents are not submitted to Companies House; rather, details from the documents are entered as part of the verification confirmation.

Risks and Consequences of Inadequate Evidence

Failure to provide acceptable evidence for identity verification can have serious consequences:

• Incorporation delays or rejection of company formation applications.
• Criminal offences for acting as an unverified director or person with significant control once mandatory requirements apply.
• Civil penalties or compliance actions against agents who fail to meet identity verification standards.
• Inability to file company documents until identity is properly verified.

Companies House has emphasised that verification helps prevent misuse of the register and deter economic crime, and that non‑compliance will be addressed using its full statutory powers.

Practical Steps for Individuals

1. Prepare Documents in Advance: Ensure you have valid, unexpired photo ID from the approved list before starting the verification process.
2. Choose Your Verification Route: Decide whether to verify directly via GOV.UK One Login or through a regulated ACSP.
3. Complete the Online Process or Provide Evidence to ACSP: Follow the instructions carefully and provide accurate personal information and documents.
4. Secure Your Verification Code: After successful verification, obtain and securely record your personal Companies House verification code.
5. Use the Code in Incorporation Filings: Provide the code when submitting company formation documents or registering appointments.

Common Questions from our Readers

Can overseas individuals verify identity?
Yes. Overseas individuals can use GOV.UK One Login or work with an ACSP that handles international identity verification, provided they can supply acceptable photo ID.

What if I change my address or name?
If personal details change after verification, you may need to update details and re‑verify to ensure Companies House records remain accurate. Consistent and precise matching of details on identity documents to Companies House records is crucial to avoid verification failures.

Is private information published publicly?
The specific documentary evidence is not published; only confirmation that identity has been verified and relevant statements may appear on the public register.

Key Takeaways

Evidence required for identity verification at company incorporation in the UK includes valid photographic identification such as a biometric passport, UK photo driving licence, or UK biometric permits. Additional supporting evidence of address and identity history may also be used, particularly when verifying through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Verification must be completed before incorporation filings can be accepted, and records of checks must be retained for compliance. These requirements enhance corporate transparency and help prevent fraud, money laundering and other economic crime.

James William Steven Parker

James is the founder of UKLegalGuides.com and a former agent at the Ministry of Justice (UK). With a background in processing legal claims, he launched this platform to make the laws of England and Wales accessible to everyone.