Since 18 November 2025, company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity with Companies House. PeekaBooks handles your identity verification for a fixed £59 per person. The check is carried out through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), and once you’re verified Companies House emails you your personal code.
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Who needs to verify their identity?
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, Companies House now requires identity verification for:
- Company directors (and equivalent roles, such as members of an LLP)
- People with significant control (PSCs)
- Directors of overseas companies registered in the UK
- Anyone setting up a new company as a director
Requirements for other people who file at Companies House are being introduced in stages. See GOV.UK – when you need to verify your identity.
What’s included
- A simple online identity check with your passport (or other accepted ID) and a live selfie
- A review of your proof of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement
- Verification by an Authorised Corporate Service Provider registered with Companies House
- Your Companies House personal code, emailed to you once you’re verified
- Guidance on using your code for each of your roles – director, PSC or both
- A real person to help if anything needs re-checking
How it works
- Get in touch and tell us who needs verifying and for which company.
- Complete the online check – photograph your ID and take a quick live selfie.
- Send your proof of address – a recent utility bill (gas, electricity or water) or bank statement.
- Your identity is verified and Companies House is notified.
- Companies House emails your personal code – an 11-character code you’ll use to link your verified identity to your company roles.
What you’ll need
- A valid passport, or another accepted identity document
- A phone or computer with a camera for the live selfie
- Proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement
- The name and number of the company you’re a director or PSC of
When do I need to do it?
New directors must be verified before they can be appointed. Existing directors confirm they’ve been verified when their company files its next confirmation statement – and the confirmation statement can’t be filed until every director has verified. PSCs have their own 14-day window to provide their personal code. Your company’s page on the Companies House register shows whether each person is verified or the date verification is due.
Can I do it myself?
Yes. You can verify directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login, which is free. Many people find it straightforward; others get stuck on document checks, foreign IDs or linking their code to the right roles. If you’d rather someone took care of it for you – with a person to talk to if anything goes wrong – our £59 service is here to help.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)?
An ACSP is a business registered with Companies House and supervised for anti-money-laundering purposes, which is allowed to verify people’s identities on Companies House’s behalf. Verifying through an ACSP is one of the two official routes; the other is GOV.UK One Login.
Do I need to verify more than once if I’m a director of several companies?
No. You verify once and receive one personal code. You then provide that code for each of your roles – for example as a director of each company and, separately, as a PSC.
Is the £59 fee per person or per company?
Per person. Each director or PSC verifies their own identity, so if your company has two directors, that’s two verifications.
Can I verify if I live outside the UK?
Usually, yes. Most people can verify remotely with a supported passport and acceptable proof of address – you don’t need a UK address. Get in touch and we’ll confirm the right route for you.
What happens if I don’t verify my identity?
Your company won’t be able to file its confirmation statement until all its directors are verified, and acting as a director without being verified can be an offence. It can also lead to penalties for both the individual and the company. It’s best to get it done well before your deadline.