✅ What the rules say
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When you (as a director, PSC, company secretary or someone equivalent) verify your identity, you get a personal code that is personal to you — not to a specific company or filing.
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Once verified, the code remains yours. When you are a director or PSC on multiple companies, you don’t need to re‑verify for each company — you use the same code.
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The guidance says in most cases you “only need to verify once” and “must not verify again unless Companies House tell you to.”
- Identity verification is not required from company Secretaries or Shareholders.
📅 When you need to provide the code
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For existing directors (at the time rules came in), Companies House requires that you supply your personal code the next time you file your company’s “confirmation statement.” That’s how Companies House will link your verified identity to the records for that company.
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For new directors (or new PSCs), verification must happen before their appointment is filed (or before company incorporation).
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Once you have the code, you use it each time — you do not need to re‑verify every year just because you’re submitting another confirmation statement.
⚠️ When re‑verification might happen
The rules don’t require regular (e.g. annual) re‑verification by default. But there are a few caveats:
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If Companies House ask you to re‑verify (for example if there’s reason to suspect identity has changed or been compromised).
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If your personal details change (e.g. name, date of birth) or if the details on your ID no longer match Companies House records — that might trigger re‑verification.
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If you share your code with an agent or third party, and later suspect the code’s been compromised — then Companies House allows you to request a new code.
For most people: you only verify once. After that, you just use the same personal code for future filings (including confirmation statements). It is not an annual re‑verification requirement.
How agent filings work
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Personal code usage:
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When you give your personal code to an accountant or agent, they use your code when filing documents like confirmation statements or appointment forms.
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Companies House treats the filing as being made by you, not the agent.
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No separate verification for the agent:
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The agent doesn’t need to create or verify their own personal code unless they are also a director or PSC on a company they are filing for.
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Their role is simply as a filing agent using your verified identity.
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Security considerations:
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Your personal code should be treated like a password. Sharing it is allowed for filing purposes, but Companies House advises only trusted agents have access.
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If you suspect your code has been compromised, you can request a new personal code from Companies House.
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Authorised Companies House Service Providers
What being an ACSP means
An ACSP is a company or individual that has been authorised by Companies House to submit filings on behalf of clients. This is an official designation for agents/accountants/lawyers who manage multiple companies’ filings.
1️⃣ ACSP role in identity verification
An Authorised Companies House Service Provider (ACSP) acts as a trusted intermediary. That means they can submit filings on behalf of clients without requiring the client’s personal code, but there are rules:
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They must verify the identity of their clients before submitting filings.
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This is to prevent fraud, money laundering, and false company formations.
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The verification is part of the ACSP’s due diligence obligations — essentially taking over the role that Companies House would otherwise perform when a person uses their personal code directly.
2️⃣ What the ACSP must do
The exact requirements depend on the type of filing and risk level, but generally, an ACSP should:
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Collect and check personal ID
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Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s license)
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Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, etc.)
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Verify the information
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Compare ID to the individual making the filing.
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Ensure the person is authorised to act for the company (e.g., director or PSC).
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Keep records
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Retain copies or evidence of verification for a legally required period (usually 5 years).
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This is essential for compliance with Companies House rules and anti-money laundering regulations.
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Ongoing checks for repeat clients
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For long-term clients, the ACSP may periodically re-verify identity, especially if details change (e.g., name, address).
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3️⃣ Summary
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The ACSP does the identity verification that Companies House would normally require for a personal code.
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Once verified, the ACSP can submit filings without the client using or sharing their personal code.
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ACSPs must retain records and follow due diligence and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) procedures.
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