Some customers are contacting us to get help with completing identity verification and filing their confirmation statement.
For more information about how and when to verify your identity, go to our identity verification guidance collection on GOV.UK.
If you still need help, here are some top tips to help you before contacting us.
Check when you need to file your company’s confirmation statement
Before you file your next confirmation statement you must:
- Make sure every company director has verified their identity and got their Companies House personal code.
- Include the personal code for each director in your company’s confirmation statement.
Your confirmation statement will be rejected if you have not completed these 2 steps.
If someone else files your confirmation statement, all directors must share their personal codes with them so they can include the details in your company’s filing.
People with significant control (PSCs) will also need to provide their personal code by their due date using a separate service – Provide identity verification details for a person with significant control (PSC). Check the Companies House register to see the due dates for each role you hold.
If your company directors are also PSCs of the company, they only need to verify their identity once – but you must provide their personal code as a director on the confirmation statement, and as a PSC using the Provide identity verification details for a PSC service.
You do not need to provide your personal code for any other filings at this time, including annual accounts.
Read our guidance on GOV.UK for more information on when you need to verify and provide your personal code.
Verifying your identity as a director or a person with significant control (PSC)
You can verify your identity in one of two ways:
Option 1: Use the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service
This service uses GOV.UK One Login to verify your identity. You will need a GOV.UK One Login to verify online. Only one email address can be linked to a GOV.UK One Login.
GOV.UK One Login will ask you a few simple questions to work out the best way for you to verify your identity online. The options available may depend on your device, whether you have photo ID, and the type of ID you have.
Find out more about proving your identity with GOV.UK One Login.
You can also read guidance on how to complete identity verification in person at a Post Office.
Option 2: Use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider
You can ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify your identity. ACSPs are third-party individuals or organisations that undertake Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervised activity, such as:
• company formation agents
• solicitors
• accountants
• chartered secretaries and governance professionals
If you wish to have your identity verified by a third-party provider, ask them if they have registered as an ACSP with Companies House first.
Even if you verify through an ACSP, setting up a GOV.UK One Login makes it easier to access your personal code later, but it’s not a requirement. Make sure the email address you use is the same as the address provided by the ACSP when verifying your identity.
You can also find a list of ACSPs on GOV.UK. This is not an exhaustive list, but a public list of ACSPs who have opted to appear on GOV.UK.
How to find your Companies House personal code
We’ve published detailed guidance on GOV.UK about where to find your personal codes for identity verification.
Make sure your personal details held by Companies House match your identity documents
Before providing your personal code, make sure the personal details held by Companies House (such as your date of birth) match the details on the identity documents you used to verify your identity.
If they do not match, you’ll need to update your details and wait for the changes to be processed before continuing to provide your code.
Accessing your WebFiling or Companies House account
If you have a WebFiling account and a Companies House account for the Find and update company information service, make sure you use the same email address for both accounts. If both email address are not the same, you’ll need to change one of them so they match.
When you sign in to your WebFiling account, you’ll be redirected to connect your account with GOV.UK One Login.
If you:
- have a GOV.UK One Login, you’ll be able to sign in and connect your account
- do not have a GOV.UK One Login, you’ll be prompted to create one
- have a Companies House account for the Find and update company information service that you have not connected with GOV.UK One Login, you’ll be able to connect both accounts at the same time
If you share a WebFiling account with others, only one person can connect each WebFiling account to their GOV.UK One Login. Anyone who shares access to these accounts will need to create their own GOV.UK One Login, using a different email address. They will no longer be able to access the company’s information in the previously shared accounts.
Ask for help if you need it
If you’re not confident using GOV.UK One Login or do not have access to a suitable device, you can ask someone to help you by:
- letting you use their phone or computer
- helping you download and use the app
- assisting with scanning your ID and taking photos
Find out more about how someone can help you use GOV.UK One Login.
You can also read advice from AbilityNet on how to make your device easier to use. For example, learn how to change the background colour or text size.