--- title: Companies House Identity Verification for Directors Outside the UK (2026 Guide) description: Live outside the UK? How directors and PSCs verify their identity with Companies House, which ID works, and when your deadline is. image: https://www.synchronousservices.com/hubfs/blog-assets/companies-house-id/featured-passport-laptop.webp --- [Skip to content](https://www.synchronousservices.com/insights/companies-house-identity-verification-for-directors-outside-the-uk-2026-guide#main-content) [![Logo SVG](https://www.synchronousservices.com/hubfs/Logo%20SVG.svg)](https://www.synchronousservices.com) [Home](https://www.synchronousservices.com) [Services](https://www.synchronousservices.com/services) [Advisory & Transactions](https://www.synchronousservices.com/advisory-transactions) [Corporate Services](https://www.synchronousservices.com/corporate-services) [Audit & Assurance](https://www.synchronousservices.com/audit-assurance) [Accounting & BPO](https://www.synchronousservices.com/outsourced-accounting) [Tax](https://www.synchronousservices.com/tax) [Outsourced Staffing](https://www.synchronousservices.com/outsourced-staffing) [Full Back Office Support](https://www.synchronousservices.com/back-office-support) [Insights](https://www.synchronousservices.com/insights) [About](https://www.synchronousservices.com/about) [Contact Us](https://www.synchronousservices.com/contact-us) [Industries we serve](https://www.synchronousservices.com/industries) [Let's Synch Up!](https://www.synchronousservices.com/contact-us) [Home](https://www.synchronousservices.com) [Services](https://www.synchronousservices.com/services) [Advisory & Transactions](https://www.synchronousservices.com/advisory-transactions) [Corporate Services](https://www.synchronousservices.com/corporate-services) [Audit & Assurance](https://www.synchronousservices.com/audit-assurance) [Accounting & BPO](https://www.synchronousservices.com/outsourced-accounting) [Tax](https://www.synchronousservices.com/tax) [Outsourced Staffing](https://www.synchronousservices.com/outsourced-staffing) [Full Back Office Support](https://www.synchronousservices.com/back-office-support) [Insights](https://www.synchronousservices.com/insights) [About](https://www.synchronousservices.com/about) [Contact Us](https://www.synchronousservices.com/contact-us) [Industries we serve](https://www.synchronousservices.com/industries) [Let's Synch Up!](https://www.synchronousservices.com/contact-us) [Home](https://www.synchronousservices.com/)/ [Insights](https://www.synchronousservices.com/insights)/Company set-up [Company set-up](https://www.synchronousservices.com/insights/tag/company-set-up) # Companies House Identity Verification for Directors Outside the UK (2026 Guide) Live outside the UK? How directors and PSCs verify their identity with Companies House, which ID works, and when your deadline is. 8 min read Updated 30 Oct 2026 ![](https://www.synchronousservices.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-assets/companies-house-id/featured-passport-laptop.webp?width=1200&height=680&name=featured-passport-laptop.webp) In this guide - Who needs to verify and when your deadline falls - Two ways to verify from outside the UK - Which passports and documents are accepted - How to find and use your personal code On this page Quick answer If you are a director of a UK company and live outside the UK, Companies House identity verification applies to you too. The requirement applies wherever you live, including Pakistan, the UAE, the US and Canada. You can usually verify online through GOV.UK One Login using an accepted photo ID, or ask an authorised agent to verify you. You must then provide your Companies House personal code for each relevant company role. This guide explains who needs to verify, when your deadline falls, which documents you can use and how to complete the process from overseas. ## What is Companies House identity verification? Companies House is the UK body that registers companies and maintains information about them and their directors. Identity verification is the process of proving that you are who you say you are. It helps improve the accuracy and reliability of the company register and makes it harder for people to use UK companies for unlawful purposes. The requirement applies to directors and people with significant control (PSCs). A PSC is an individual who owns or controls a company, for example through their shares or voting rights. Living outside the UK does not remove the requirement. ![Illustration of a smartphone scanning a passport to verify identity.](https://www.synchronousservices.com/hubfs/blog-assets/companies-house-id/smartphone-scanning-passport.webp) ## Who needs to verify their identity? You need to complete Companies House director verification if you are: - A director of a UK company. - A person with significant control (PSC) of a UK company. - Both a director and a PSC of the same company. - A director of an overseas company with a registered UK establishment. The requirement applies whether you live in the UK or abroad. If you hold more than one role, you may need to provide your personal code separately for each role. ## When is your Companies House identity verification deadline? Identity verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025. The rollout of Companies House identity verification began then. That date started a 12-month transition period for existing directors and PSCs; it is not one deadline that applies to everyone. The date by which you must provide your personal code depends on your role and, for PSCs, when you became a PSC. | Your role | When you need to provide your personal code | | --- | --- | | Existing director | As part of the company's next confirmation statement filing. | | Director who is also a PSC | As a director, with the confirmation statement; as a PSC, within the 14-day period starting the day after the company's confirmation statement date. | | Existing PSC who is not a director of the same company | Within the first 14 days of your birth month. | | PSC added after 18 November 2025 | When you are first added to the Companies House register, or within 14 days of being added. | | Overseas company with a UK establishment | The company must confirm all its directors have verified by the anniversary of the UK establishment's registration. | If you are both a director and a PSC of the same company, you must provide your code separately for each role. If you are a director of several companies, you must provide it for each company. PSCs give their code using the GOV.UK service to provide identity verification details for a person with significant control. You can check your confirmation statement date and PSC details on the Companies House register. Read the official guidance: [When you need to verify your identity for Companies House](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/when-you-need-to-verify-your-identity-for-companies-house) ## How to verify your identity from outside the UK There are two main routes for overseas directors: verify online yourself through GOV.UK One Login, or ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify you. ![Two ways to verify your identity: online with a passport, or through an authorised agent.](https://www.synchronousservices.com/hubfs/blog-assets/companies-house-id/two-ways-to-verify-identity.webp) ### Option 1: Verify online through GOV.UK One Login Many overseas directors complete Companies House ID verification online. This route is suitable if you have an accepted form of photo ID and can complete the identity checks. A biometric passport from any country is accepted. You will also need your current address, the year you moved there and access to an email address for your GOV.UK One Login. The usual steps are: 1. Open the official Companies House identity verification service. 2. Sign in to or create a GOV.UK One Login. 3. Follow the instructions to prove your identity using an accepted photo ID. 4. Complete the checks requested by the service. 5. Keep your Companies House personal code safe when it is issued. Start here: [Verify your identity for Companies House](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house) If you are unsure whether you can complete the online process from your country or with your address history, check the GOV.UK service before proceeding. The official guidance does not clearly confirm every overseas address-history scenario, so do not assume that a particular route will be available to you. ### Option 2: Use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) An ACSP is an authorised agent, such as an accountant or solicitor, who is registered with Companies House and supervised for anti-money laundering purposes. An ACSP can verify your identity on behalf of Companies House, and you can use this route from any country. You will need to contact an ACSP, confirm its fees and ask which identity documents it accepts for overseas clients. The agent will explain how to submit your documents and complete its checks. If you live outside the UK, at least one document you provide must be government-issued. An ACSP may charge for the service. If you already work with an accountant or solicitor, ask whether they are registered as an ACSP. You can also read the official guidance on using an authorised agent. Official guidance: [Using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-an-authorised-corporate-service-provider-acsp-to-verify-your-identity) ## Which documents can overseas directors use? For online verification through GOV.UK One Login, a biometric passport from any country is accepted. A biometric passport has an electronic chip, usually indicated by a small rectangular symbol on its cover. An expired passport cannot be used to prove your identity through the GOV.UK One Login app. If you use an ACSP, the agent will tell you which documents it accepts. The list can be broader than the online route, but overseas applicants must provide at least one government-issued document. Check the requirements with the agent before sending your documents. Check the official requirements: [How to meet the Companies House identity verification standard](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verifying-your-identity-for-companies-house) ## What is a Companies House personal code? A Companies House personal code is an 11-character identifier issued after you successfully verify your identity. It is personal to you, not to your company. You use it to confirm to Companies House that your identity has been verified. You generally only need to complete identity verification once. You use the same code for each relevant director or PSC appointment, but you must provide it separately for each role when required. ### How can you find your Companies House identity verification code? If you verified through GOV.UK One Login, sign in to your Companies House account using the same email address and open "Manage account" to view your code. If you verified after 8 July 2026, Companies House also sent the code to your email address. If an ACSP verified you, the code was sent to the email address the agent provided. Read more: [Companies House personal codes for identity verification](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/companies-house-personal-codes-for-identity-verification) ## If you are a director of more than one company You do not need to complete a separate identity check for every company you direct. Once verified, you use the same personal code for your different director appointments. However, you must provide the code for each company as part of its relevant confirmation statement filing. If you are also a PSC, remember to provide it separately for that role. ## What happens if you do not verify? Failing to meet the identity verification requirements can have legal consequences. Companies House states that a director acting without completing identity verification may be committing an offence, and a company may also be breaking the law if a director has not verified. PSCs who do not verify may also be committing an offence. Depending on the circumstances, consequences can include prosecution and a fine through the courts or a financial penalty. The practical step is to check your role and due date, complete the verification process and submit your personal code within the required period. Read: [Companies House approach to non-compliance with mandatory identity verification](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/companies-house-approach-to-non-compliance-with-mandatory-identity-verification/companies-house-approach-to-non-compliance-with-mandatory-identity-verification) ## Frequently asked questions Do I need to verify my identity if I live outside the UK? Yes. The requirement applies to relevant directors and PSCs wherever they live. You can use GOV.UK One Login or an ACSP to complete the process from overseas. Can I use my Pakistani passport for online verification? Yes, if it is a biometric passport and meets the GOV.UK One Login requirements. Biometric passports from any country are accepted for the online route. When did Companies House identity verification start? The legal requirement began on 18 November 2025. This date started the 12-month transition period for existing directors and PSCs; individual deadlines depend on the role and circumstances. Do I need a different personal code for every company? No. You receive one personal code after verifying your identity. You must provide it separately for each relevant company role when required. What if I cannot complete online verification? Check the GOV.UK service for the options available to you. You can also ask an accountant or solicitor whether they are registered as an ACSP and can verify your identity on your behalf. ## Make identity verification part of your company compliance routine If you run a UK company from overseas, it is worth checking your director and PSC details, confirming the relevant filing dates and keeping your personal code somewhere secure. Completing the process in good time can help you avoid last-minute problems with company filings. Synchronous Services supports businesses with accounting and back-office finance operations. To learn more, visit our [Corporate Services page](https://www.synchronousservices.com/corporate-services). **Need help keeping your UK company compliant from overseas?**Talk to our team about directors, filings and company compliance. [Book a 30-minute call](https://www.synchronousservices.com/meeting) Follow us[mailto:contact@synchronousservices.com](mailto:contact@synchronousservices.com) ## Related guides [View all insights →](https://www.synchronousservices.com/insights) [![Accountant using a calculator next to a house model, keys and a ticked month-end checklist](https://www.synchronousservices.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-assets/month-end-close/property-management-month-end-close-checklist.webp?width=640&height=400&name=property-management-month-end-close-checklist.webp) Property accounting Property Management Month-End Close Checklist (Free Template) 11 min read](https://www.synchronousservices.com/insights/property-management-month-end-close-checklist) [![Synchronous Website](https://www.synchronousservices.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Synchronous%20Website.png?width=40&height=70&name=Synchronous%20Website.png "Synchronous Website")](https://www.synchronousservices.com/) Global finance & accounting advisory, led by senior professionals from across the industry. Serving businesses across the UK, Canada, the US and Pakistan.  - ICAEW - ICAP - CPA Canada - ACCA - QuickBooks ProAdvisor - Xero Certified - Sage - Odoo ### Explore - [Home](https://www.synchronousservices.com) - [Our services](https://www.synchronousservices.com/services) - [Insights](https://www.synchronousservices.com/services) - [About us](https://www.synchronousservices.com/about) - [Book a meeting](https://www.synchronousservices.com/meeting) - [Industries we serve](https://www.synchronousservices.com/industries) - [Contact us](https://www.synchronousservices.com/contact-us) ### Services - [Advisory & Transactions](https://www.synchronousservices.com/advisory-transactions) - [Corporate Services](https://www.synchronousservices.com/corporate-services) - [Audit & Assurance](https://www.synchronousservices.com/audit-assurance) - [Accounting & BPO](https://www.synchronousservices.com/outsourced-accounting) - [Tax](https://www.synchronousservices.com/tax) - [Outsourced Staffing](https://www.synchronousservices.com/outsourced-staffing) - [Full Back Office Support](https://www.synchronousservices.com/back-office-support) ### Contact United Kingdom 124 City Road, London, England, EC1V 2NX Pakistan Plot 56-G, 4th Floor, Beverly Center, Jinnah Avenue, Blue Area, Islamabad [contact@synchronousservices.com](mailto:contact@synchronousservices.com) +92 512270702  [+44 7456 44629](tel:+447456446299) - Privacy policy - Terms Copyright © 2026 Synchronous Services. All rights reserved. Registered in UK and Islamabad. [Follow us on Linkedin](https://www.synchronousservices.com/) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/synchronous.services/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Daud Asif", "url" : "https://www.synchronousservices.com/insights/author/daud-asif" }, "dateModified" : "2026-10-30T19:35:18.955Z", "datePublished" : "2026-10-30T14:38:45.000Z", "headline" : "Companies House Identity Verification for Directors Outside the UK (2026 Guide)", "image" : [ "https://www.synchronousservices.com/hubfs/blog-assets/companies-house-id/featured-passport-laptop.webp" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.synchronousservices.com/insights/companies-house-identity-verification-for-directors-outside-the-uk-2026-guide", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.synchronousservices.com/hubfs/Synchronous%20Services%20Logo.png" } } } ```