Country-specific guidance Current

Companies House identity verification for company clients

A new legal requirement, not just good practice.

Verifying a company client's directors is no longer only your own due diligence practice -- it's now a Companies House legal requirement in its own right. This guide sets out what that requirement covers. It is general information, not legal or compliance advice.

Action plan

1 Know who must verify their identity The requirement applies to specific roles, not to every person connected with a company.

Companies House guidance sets out that identity verification is required for a director or the equivalent of a director, a person with significant control (PSC), and an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Confirm which of these roles apply to the people connected with your company client before assuming the requirement does or doesn't apply.

  • Identify every director or equivalent, and every PSC, connected with the company client
  • Confirm whether your firm itself is acting as an ACSP for this client
  • Don't assume the requirement only applies to one role type

Done when: Every director, PSC, and relevant ACSP connected with the company client has been identified for verification

GOV.UK: verifying your identity for Companies House
2 Choose a verification route There are only two ways to verify with Companies House -- know which one applies to you.

Companies House guidance states you can only verify identity for Companies House using specific options: the GOV.UK One Login service (which may involve an app, security questions, or a Post Office visit), or indirectly through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider verifying on the individual's behalf.

  • Use GOV.UK One Login directly, or
  • Verify indirectly through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider
  • Confirm which route each director or PSC is actually using, not just which is available

Done when: Each director and PSC's verification route has been confirmed and completed

GOV.UK: verifying your identity for Companies House
3 Track verification due dates per role, not by a single date Timing depends on the specific role and when the person started it -- don't assume one deadline covers everyone.

Companies House guidance notes that when a person needs to verify their identity depends on their role and when they started it, and directs readers to separate role-specific timing guidance. Track this per person rather than assuming a single deadline applies to every director and PSC connected with the client.

  • Check the specific due date that applies to each director or PSC's own role and start date
  • Don't assume a single company-wide deadline covers everyone
  • Revisit due dates when a new director or PSC is appointed

Done when: Verification due dates have been confirmed per role, not assumed as a single company-wide date