How to Get Your Companies House Personal Code: Step-by-Step Guide

From 18 November 2025, all UK company directors must verify their identity and obtain a Companies House personal code before they can file confirmation statements or be appointed to new directorships. This is a fundamental change to how Companies House operates, affecting an estimated 6-7 million people by November 2026.

This guide walks you through exactly how to get your personal code, which verification method to choose, and what to do if something goes wrong.

What Is a Companies House Personal Code?

A personal code is an 11-character identifier that Companies House assigns to you once you have successfully verified your identity. Think of it as your digital signature for company filings.

Key facts about your personal code:

• It belongs to you personally, not to any company
• You use the same code across all directorships you hold
• You will need to share it with anyone who files on your behalf (accountants, company secretaries)
• It connects your verified identity to your roles at Companies House

Without a personal code, you cannot file confirmation statements, be appointed as a new director, or update company records from 18 November 2025 onwards.

Who Needs a Personal Code?

The following people must verify their identity and obtain a personal code:

The 12-month transition period: You have until 18 November 2026 to complete verification. However, your actual deadline could be much sooner because you must verify before your company files its next confirmation statement. If your confirmation statement is due in January 2026, that is your effective deadline.

Three Ways to Verify Your Identity

Companies House offers three verification methods. Choose the one that works best for your situation.

Method 1: GOV.UK One Login (Online)

Best for: UK residents with UK-issued ID documents

Cost: Free

Time: Around 2-4 minutes online, results usually instant

This is the fastest and most convenient option for most UK directors. You complete the entire process online using the GOV.UK One Login service.

Accepted Documents for Online Verification

You can verify using one of the following:

Using the GOV.UK ID Check App (smartphone required):

• UK biometric passport
• Biometric passport from any country
• UK photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
• UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
• UK Biometric Residence Card (BRC)
• UK Frontier Worker Permit (FWP)

Using the GOV.UK website (no app required):

• UK passport (not necessarily biometric)
• UK photocard driving licence
• UK bank account (requires National Insurance number and security questions)

Step-by-Step: GOV.UK One Login Verification

1. Go to the verification service Visit the "Verify your identity for Companies House" page on GOV.UK. Click "Start now."

2. Create or sign in to GOV.UK One Login You will need an email address and to create a password. If you already have a GOV.UK One Login from another government service, you can use the same account.

3. Answer preliminary questions Confirm you want to verify for Companies House and answer questions about your ID documents.

4. Choose your verification method Based on your answers, you will be offered either:

   • The GOV.UK ID Check App (if you have a biometric document and smartphone)
   • Online verification with security questions (if you have a UK passport, driving licence, or bank account)
   • Post Office verification (if the above options are not suitable)

5. Complete the ID check

   • App method: Download the GOV.UK ID Check app, scan your document, and take a selfie. The app uses facial recognition to match you to your ID.
   • Online method: Enter your document details and answer security questions based on your credit history.

6. Receive confirmation If successful, you will see confirmation on screen. Your personal code will be available in your Companies House account under the "Manage account" tab.

Method 2: Post Office Verification (In-Person)

Best for: People who prefer face-to-face verification or cannot use the app/online methods

Cost: Free

Time: 10-15 minutes at the Post Office, results usually within 1 day

The Post Office offers face-to-face identity verification at participating branches. You still need to start the process online, but the actual ID check happens in person.

Accepted Documents for Post Office Verification

• UK passport
• UK photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
• UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)

You must have a UK home address to use this service.

Step-by-Step: Post Office Verification

1. Start online Visit the "Verify your identity for Companies House" page on GOV.UK and begin the process. When offered verification options, select "Go to a Post Office."

2. Enter your photo ID details Input the details from your passport, driving licence, or BRP. This creates a record that the Post Office will check against.

3. Choose your Post Office Select a participating Post Office branch near you. Not all branches offer this service.

4. Download your customer letter You will receive a confirmation email with a link to download your customer letter. This contains a QR code the Post Office needs to scan. You can either:

   • Download to your phone and show on screen
   • Print the letter
   • Request a posted copy (takes up to 6 working days)

5. Visit the Post Office Take your customer letter (digital or printed) and your original photo ID to the Post Office. You must use the original document, not a photocopy or digital image.

   Important: You usually have around 15 days from receiving your confirmation email to complete the Post Office visit. If you miss this deadline, you will need to restart the process.

6. Complete the verification Post Office staff will:

   • Scan the QR code from your customer letter
   • Take your photograph
   • Scan your photo ID document

7. Receive your results You will get an email from GOV.UK One Login with the result, usually within 1 day. Once verified, your personal code will appear in your Companies House account.

Method 3: Through an ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider)

Best for: People with non-UK documents, overseas directors, or anyone who prefers their accountant to handle it

Cost: Varies (the ACSP may charge a fee for this service)

Time: Depends on the ACSP

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) is a professional such as an accountant, solicitor, or company formation agent who is registered with Companies House and supervised for anti-money laundering purposes.

Who Can Verify Your Identity as an ACSP?

Your ACSP must be:

• Registered with Companies House as an ACSP
• Supervised by a UK anti-money laundering body

Many accountants, solicitors, and company formation agents are registering as ACSPs. If your existing accountant handles your company filings, ask them if they can verify your identity.

Documents Accepted by ACSPs

ACSPs can accept a wider range of documents than the online service, including:

• Non-UK passports (including non-biometric)
• National identity cards from EU/EEA countries
• Other government-issued ID

This makes ACSP verification the best option for overseas directors who do not have UK documents.

Step-by-Step: ACSP Verification

1. Find an ACSP If your accountant or solicitor is not registered as an ACSP, you can find one using the list on the Companies House website.

2. Contact the ACSP Explain that you need identity verification for Companies House. Ask about their process, required documents, and any fees.

3. Provide your documents The ACSP will need to see your identity documents (in person or via a secure process) and verify them against their records.

4. ACSP completes verification The ACSP submits your verification to Companies House on your behalf.

5. Receive your personal code Companies House will send your personal code to the email address the ACSP provided for you. You can then save it to your Companies House account.

What Documents Do You Need?

Here is a summary of accepted documents by verification method:

How Long Does Verification Take?

Once verified, your personal code appears immediately in your Companies House account (for GOV.UK methods) or is emailed to you (for ACSP verification).

What to Do If Verification Fails

Verification can fail for several reasons. Here is how to handle each situation.

Your ID Document Is Not Accepted

Problem: The service says your document is not suitable.

Solution:

• Try a different document if you have one
• Use the Post Office method instead of the app
• Contact an ACSP who can accept a wider range of documents

The App Cannot Read Your Document

Problem: The GOV.UK ID Check app cannot scan your passport or driving licence.

Solution:

• Ensure good lighting and a plain background
• Make sure the document is not damaged or worn
• Try the Post Office method instead

Facial Recognition Fails

Problem: The app says your face does not match your ID photo.

Solution:

• Ensure good lighting on your face
• Remove glasses if possible
• Make sure your face is clearly visible
• Try again in different lighting conditions
• Use the Post Office method where a human checks your identity

Security Questions Fail

Problem: You cannot answer the credit-based security questions correctly.

Solution:

• The questions are based on your credit file, so check your credit report for accuracy
• Try the app method or Post Office instead
• Contact an ACSP for alternative verification

Details Do Not Match Companies House Records

Problem: Your verified identity cannot connect to your director record because details do not match.

Solution:

• Check your date of birth in WebFiling and correct if wrong
• Ensure your name matches exactly (including middle names)
• If you have changed your name, you may need to update Companies House records first

Your Personal Code Is Not Working

Problem: You enter your personal code when filing but it is rejected.

Solution:

• Check you are entering all 11 characters correctly
• Ensure your date of birth matches the Companies House record
• If your ACSP provided the code, check with them for errors
• Contact Companies House if the problem persists

How to Use Your Personal Code When Filing

Once you have your personal code, you will need to provide it in these situations:

Filing a Confirmation Statement

From 18 November 2025, every confirmation statement must include personal codes for all directors. When filing:

1. Log in to your Companies House account
2. Select your company and start the confirmation statement
3. You will be prompted to enter personal codes for each director
4. Enter your 11-character code and confirm your date of birth
5. Complete and submit the confirmation statement

Being Appointed as a Director

If you become a director from 18 November 2025 onwards:

1. You must verify your identity first
2. Provide your personal code as part of the appointment filing (form AP01)
3. The company cannot file your appointment without your code

Sharing Your Code with Filing Agents

If an accountant, company secretary, or other agent files on your behalf:

1. Share your personal code with them securely
2. They will enter it when submitting filings
3. Keep your code safe and only share with people you trust to file on your behalf

Keeping Your Personal Code Safe

Your personal code is as important as a password. Follow these security practices:

Do:

• Store your code securely (password manager, secure note)
• Only share with trusted filing agents
• Use a unique email address for your GOV.UK One Login
• Keep your Companies House account login details secure

Do not:

• Share your code publicly or on social media
• Give your code to people you do not trust
• Let someone use your identity to set up companies
• Ignore requests to update your code if compromised

What If Your Code Is Compromised?

If you believe your personal code has been shared inappropriately or stolen:

1. Contact Companies House immediately
2. Request a replacement code
3. Companies House will cancel your old code and issue a new one via email
4. Update your code with any agents who file on your behalf

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Companies House personal code?

A personal code is an 11-character identifier assigned to you after you verify your identity with Companies House. It proves you are who you say you are and is required for filing confirmation statements, director appointments, and other company filings from November 2025.

When do I need to get my personal code?

You need your personal code before your company files its next confirmation statement after 18 November 2025. All directors must be verified by 18 November 2026 at the latest, but your effective deadline depends on when your confirmation statement is due.

Is identity verification free?

Verification through GOV.UK One Login (including the Post Office option) is free. If you use an ACSP (accountant, solicitor, or formation agent), they may charge a fee for the service.

Can I use my existing GOV.UK account?

If you have an existing GOV.UK One Login from another government service, you can use the same account to verify for Companies House. However, each email address can only verify one identity.

What if I do not have a UK passport or driving licence?

You can either verify at the Post Office with a UK Biometric Residence Permit, or use an ACSP who can accept non-UK documents including foreign passports and EU/EEA national identity cards.

I am a director of multiple companies. Do I need multiple codes?

No. Your personal code is linked to you as an individual, not to any specific company. You use the same code for all your directorships.

What happens if I do not get verified by my deadline?

Without identity verification, your company cannot file its confirmation statement. The company and all directors may be committing an offence. You could also face restrictions on becoming a director of other companies or registering new entities.

Can my accountant verify my identity for me?

Yes, if they are registered as an ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider). Ask your accountant if they offer this service. They will verify your identity using their approved processes and submit the verification to Companies House.

How do I find my personal code after verification?

Log in to your Companies House account and go to the "Manage account" tab. Your personal code will be displayed there. If you verified through an ACSP, the code is sent to the email address they provided for you.

What if I lose my personal code?

You can always view your personal code in your Companies House account under "Manage account." If you verified through an ACSP, the code was emailed to you. If you need a replacement code for security reasons, contact Companies House.

Do PSCs need personal codes too?

Yes. Persons with Significant Control must verify their identity and provide a personal code within 14 days of a trigger date (usually related to the company's confirmation statement date or the first day of their birth month).

How AccountsOS Helps with Companies House Compliance

Identity verification is just one of many compliance requirements for UK company directors. AccountsOS tracks all your Companies House deadlines automatically, including confirmation statements, so you never miss a filing.

Deadline reminders: AccountsOS syncs with Companies House to show your exact confirmation statement due date, giving you time to ensure all directors are verified before filing.

Companies House integration: We pull your company data directly from Companies House, flagging when changes need to be filed and keeping your records in sync.

Chat with your compliance: Ask in plain English when your next confirmation statement is due or what deadlines are coming up. AccountsOS gives you instant answers without hunting through government websites.

Ready to simplify your company compliance? Start your free AccountsOS trial and let us track your deadlines while you focus on running your business.