Companies House Identity Verification Standards Checklist 2026

Description

Companies House identity verification is becoming an important part of UK company compliance. Directors, People with Significant Control (PSCs), and other relevant individuals may need to verify their identity before completing certain Companies House activities. The process is designed to help confirm that people connected with companies are genuine and reduce fraudulent company records.

For a detailed checklist and explanation of the latest requirements, businesses can refer to the Companies House Identity Verification Standards Checklist 2026 by BusinAssist.

The verification process involves several important steps. First, the verifier must collect accurate personal information, including the person's full name, date of birth, home address, address history and email address. The next step is checking an acceptable identity document, such as a passport, driving licence, biometric identity document or approved immigration document.

The document must also be checked for signs of tampering, cancellation or replacement. The verifier then needs to confirm that the document belongs to the individual by comparing relevant information such as their name, photograph and date of birth.

Record keeping is another important requirement. Verification records, including evidence of checks and unsuccessful attempts, generally need to be retained for seven years.

The 2026 guidance also introduced some useful clarifications. Cancelled or replaced documents cannot be used for verification, while eVisas can be used as photo identification when using identity verification technology. Insurance policies have also been added as acceptable supporting documents for certain manual checks.

For UK businesses, understanding these standards can help prevent delays and compliance problems. Companies should ensure that identity checks are completed correctly and that appropriate records are maintained.