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Authorised Corporate Service Provider

Free ID verification for every director and PSC when you form your company with us

Companies House requires every director and person with significant control (PSC) to verify their identity when forming a company. As an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP), we take care of it for you, so there’s no extra hassle.

  • Included free in every company formation package
  • Verify on your phone in minutes
  • Personal code sent to you by Companies House
Get Started See how it works
A person verifying their identity on their phone.
Verifying your ID… Selfie check2/3
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ID verification is now part of forming a company

Since 18 November 2025, Companies House requires every new director and PSC to verify their identity before a company can be registered. Each verified person gets a personal code, which must be included in the application.

When you form your company with us, you don’t need to sort this out yourself. We take care of it as part of your order, at no extra cost.

  • Directors Everyone who will run the company
  • PSCs Anyone with more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or other significant control
How it works

How we get you your personal code

Because we’re an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, Companies House trusts us to check who you are on its behalf. That means no separate Companies House account to set up first. You verify with us, and we do the rest.

  1. 1 Choose your package and add your officers Tell us who your directors and PSCs are when you order. Each person gets a secure verification link by email.
  2. 2 Verify on your phone in minutes Scan your photo ID and take a quick selfie. Most people are done in about 5 minutes.
  3. 3 We confirm your identity with Companies House As your ACSP, we check your result and confirm it with Companies House. Your 11-character personal code then arrives by email, and we keep it safe in your account.
  4. We form your company Once everyone is verified, we add your personal codes to your application and submit it to Companies House.

Your personal code, explained

Your personal code proves to Companies House that you’ve been verified. It belongs to you, not your company, so you only ever need one.

  • 11 characters, made up of letters and numbers
  • Use the same code for every company and role you hold
  • You’ll need it for future filings, such as your confirmation statement
  • Keep it safe and don’t share it publicly
Video thumbnail for the personal verification code (PVC) explainer.

Watch: how your personal code works (3 mins)

What you’ll need to verify

It only takes about 5 minutes.

Photo ID

If you live in the UK A biometric passport or UK photocard driving licence. You will also need to provide proof of address if you are using our accounting service.
If you live outside the UK A biometric passport from any country, or an EU/EEA driving licence or ID card. You may also need proof of address.

Check what ID and proof of address documents we accept: What ID documents do we accept?

A smartphone

With a camera, so you can scan your ID and take a selfie.

Who we can verify

We can verify most directors and PSCs, including those outside the UK if your country is on our eligible list.

See eligible countries

We can verify

  • Directors and PSCs aged 18 and over
  • UK residents with accepted photo ID
  • Non-UK residents living in an eligible country

We can’t verify

  • Anyone under 18
  • Corporate directors, shareholders or PSCs
  • Residents of countries not on our eligible list

Ready to form your company?

Start by checking your company name is available. Every company formation package includes free ID verification for all your directors and PSCs, plus their personal codes.

We’ll check the Companies House register instantly. “Ltd” or “Limited” is added automatically.

Frequently asked questions

Is ID verification really free?

Yes. It’s included in every company formation package, for every director and PSC on your order.

Will verification slow down my company formation?

Not at all. Your company can be formed once everyone has verified and checks are completed in real time via the Onfido app, usually only taking a few minutes to complete. The sooner your officers verify, the sooner your company is registered.

I already have a personal code. Do I need to verify with you again?

Yes. As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), we are required to conduct our own independent, high-standard identity checks to confirm a person’s identity under UK Government KYC (Know Your Customer) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations. If you have already verified with Companies House then we will not generate another PVC code.

What if my check fails?

We’ll be in touch to help you try again or send other documents. Most issues come down to a blurry photo or glare on your ID.

Can I verify if I live outside the UK?

Yes. You can verify from anywhere using a biometric passport or an EU/EEA ID document, with no need to travel.

Form your company
and get verified in one go

Free ID verification and your personal code, included with every company formation package.

Get Started

Last Updated:

Eligible Countries

We can form companies for customers in most countries in the world; however, there are several that are not eligible.
Check if your country is eligible below: