As a company director, you’ve likely received emails from Companies House recently, asking you to verify your identity.
This is not a scam and was introduced to help crack down on fraudulent activity, making it harder for unsavoury types to hide behind fake identities when forming a company.
Up until now this has been voluntary, but from 18th November 2025 it becomes mandatory. This means that existing directors and persons of significant control (PSCs) will need their verify their identity before further filings can be made to Companies House.
Before you start, you will need:
- A form of identification (e.g. passport or drivers license)
- Access to a smartphone/tablet
Please scroll down for a step-by-step guide on where to go and which buttons to click, to verify your identity with Companies House. Hopefully these steps help with what admittedly looks like a tedious task!
Start here – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house
(1) If you don’t have a “One Login”, please create one using your e-mail address. This login is linked to you as an individual rather than per company.
You may have created one before, in which case the website should prompt you with an error message saying the email address already exists. You can then reset the login details.
(2) Please use your login details above.
(3) If you haven’t done this before, your answer should be NO.
(4) Click YES once you locate any of the forms identifications listed.
(5) We did it on the computer and as such, the next step is…
(6) If you have access to a phone, please select the most appropriate out of the top 2 options.
(7) Afraid it’s another app to download on the basis you don’t already have it installed.
(8) The following screenshots are from a phone.
(9) and back to the Computer/Tablet
(10) Please make a careful note of this code (under the blurred section of the screenshot above) and send it over to your accountant.
With that complete, you have successfully verified yourself. Well done!
