Verify your identity for Companies House now
We received a flurry of emails recently from clients checking an email from Companies House was valid, and what the content meant for the future. These emails were sent to the Registered Email address for each company on the Register, as notified through the Confirmation Statements.
We’ve pasted a copy of the email at the bottom of this one, but wanted to confirm:
1. Yes, the email from Companies House IS valid.
2. You do need to follow the guidance included within the email, for every Director of the company. The email will only have gone to the nominated email address, so don’t rely on your Co-Director to have received their own copy.
3. No, the new regulations don’t stop us submitting Confirmation Statements etc on your behalf, but to do so from the Autumn we will need the Companies House Personal Code that you’ll be sent once you’ve verified your personal identity (and that of all other Directors).
4. We cannot complete the verification process for you.
5. If you didn’t receive the original email from Companies House, you can see the content, pasted below. All Directors need to follow the verification process, so please just take the information given below rather than waiting for a later email to arrive. We don’t know if your email is lost in the ether, or whether Companies House decided to segment their database in some way.
6. As mentioned above, you need to tell us the code that Companies House will send each Director once they’ve completed the process.
7. We included details of the coming requirement in a recent blog post, which you can find here. Our Regular Round-ups come out monthly and include links to posts on the website around changing legislation, amongst other things, to forewarn you of exactly this type of requirement. They’re sent to all clients on the penultimate Thursday of each month, as this allows time for you to action any month end deadline reminders.
8. If you’re ever unsure that an email from Companies House or HMRC is genuine, please do pop it over to us and we’ll happily have a look at it for you. This email isn’t to criticise those who checked, but to reassure those who may have been unsure, and encourage you to verify your identity sooner rather than later.
As ever, if you have any questions around the email, the process or updating any of the information on record at Companies House, do get in touch.
The original Companies House email…
We’ve pasted the original email from Companies House below…
‘This is an official email from Companies House, sent to all registered email addresses. If you’re a third party agent who has received this email on behalf of a company, please forward this message to the company director(s).
Identity verification
All company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) need to verify their identity to prove who they are. This is a new legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to help prevent people using companies for illegal purposes.
Identity verification will become mandatory in autumn 2025.
Act now and verify your identity before it becomes a requirement.
Early action will help you to avoid delays or complications. If your company has multiple officers, allow plenty of time for each one to verify their identity. Directors based outside of the UK may also need extra time if they plan to use an authorised agent, also known as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify their identity.
How to verify your identity
You can verify:
- online using GOV.UK One Login – if you have the identity documents or information required.
- in person at selected Post Offices – you must live in the UK and will need to use the ‘Verify your identity for Companies House’ service first to find out if you can verify this way.
- using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – for example, an accountant or solicitor who has registered as a Companies House authorised agent (you’ll need to provide suitable identity documents).
What happens when you verify
Identity verification is a two-step process.
Step 1: Verify your identity and get your Companies House personal code. This code is personal to you, not the company. Keep this information secure until you need to use it.
Step 2: From autumn 2025, link your verified identity to our records. You’ll need to provide your personal code and a verification statement for each company role you hold. We’ll provide more information on how to do this in the coming months.
Read guidance on verifying your identity for Companies House
If you or any other directors do not comply with identity verification requirements on time, you will not be able to file your company’s confirmation statement or other filings.
You’ll also be committing an offence and there are a range of consequences, including a financial penalty and being unable to start a new company.
Check the register
It’s important to make sure we hold the correct details for each director and PSC of your company.
You will not be able to complete identity verification if the personal information on your identity documents, such as your date of birth, does not match the information held on our register.
Check the details we hold for you and your company.
You can tell us about some changes online. For other changes, such as incorrect or missing information about directors or people with significant control (PSCs) on your incorporation documents, you’ll need to file a paper form.
How to keep up to date
Read all the latest updates on our Changes to UK company law website and sign up for our regular email newsletters.
You’ve received this email because you provided this registered email address to Companies House. You cannot unsubscribe from emails to the registered email address as this is a legal requirement under the Companies Act 2006. We will only use this email address to communicate about your company. The registered email address will not appear on the public register.
To change the company’s registered email address, go to: Update a registered email address.
Please email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk if you did not provide this email address as a registered email address.’
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