This blog post was modified on 24 November to include more information about security and accessibility.
18 November 2025 marked an important milestone for UK businesses and the integrity of the Companies House register. From now on, all company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity with Companies House.
This change isn’t just about compliance — it’s about realising the vision the Government Digital Service set out in our blueprint for modern digital government this year, joining up public sector services, using the transformative power of digital.
As someone who’s passionate about making government services simpler, safer and more accessible, I’m proud to see GOV.UK One Login at the heart of this transformation. Over 1 million people have already verified their identity for Companies House through GOV.UK One Login since April. This is a huge step forward in building a fairer and safer business environment for everyone.
Those 1 million people also join a total of 13.2 million people who have proved their identity with GOV.UK One Login to access more than 110 different government services.
Historically, company registration relied heavily on trust, with few formal checks on who was behind a business. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act changes that approach, introducing identity verification to strengthen confidence in the register and help honest businesses thrive.
By making it harder to use fictitious names or hide behind false identities, we’re helping to tackle economic crime and ensure the information on the register is accurate and trustworthy.
How GOV.UK One Login works
We’ve worked closely with Companies House to create an online verification route that’s simple and accessible for directors and PSCs across the UK.
GOV.UK One Login is free and quick. There are three ways to prove your identity with GOV.UK One Login. They are:
- with the GOV.UK One Login app
- by answering security questions online
- at a Post Office
The method you use will depend on your device, if you have photo ID, and what type of photo ID it is.
Once you've verified your identity with GOV.UK One Login, Companies House will give you a unique personal code to link that verified identity to your Companies House roles. Read more on when to use the code, for example when filing a confirmation statement.
The real benefit of GOV.UK One Login is that your identity verification isn't limited to Companies House. Once you've verified your identity through GOV.UK One Login, you’ll be able to use your GOV.UK One Login to access more than 110 government services – from applying for a DBS check to signing a mortgage deed. This means you will not need to prove your identity again next time a service needs to check who you are.
As an alternative to using GOV.UK One Login, you can choose to verify your identity through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). ACSPs are regulated businesses, such as accountants, solicitors or company formation agents, that can perform the same identity checks and submit the verification to Companies House on your behalf for a fee.
Built with security and accessibility at its core
GOV.UK One Login is being developed as the ‘front door’ for accessing government services. Our aim is to make it as simple and inclusive as possible for individuals to prove their identity and access connected services, while protecting them and the government from the risks of fraud.
To meet these aims, GOV.UK One Login follows high standards for identity verification. Every identity verification service, including GOV.UK One Login, must strike a careful balance between accessibility and strong security. This means using trusted data sources and fraud prevention mechanisms.
These safeguards, however, inevitably mean that GOV.UK One Login will not be able to successfully prove every user's identity. That is why all government services that use GOV.UK One Login must also provide an alternative method for identity verification - that is the ASCP route for Companies House.
In addition, GOV.UK One Login works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre and operates a multi-layered security approach, including measures to:
- protect data
- deter and detect fraud
- monitor and respond to threats
We follow the highest security standards for government and private sector services, including dedicated 24/7 eyes-on monitoring and incident response. A Threat Intelligence and Counter Fraud team ensures product features are counter-fraud by design, and proactively monitors to investigate and intercept fraudulent activity. As the public rightly expects, protecting the security of government services, and the data and privacy of users, to keep pace with the changing cyber threat landscape is paramount.
The programme employs a range of security experts, with additional advice and assurance provided by GDS’s Information Security team and Chief Information Security Officer. As part of a breadth of assurance activities we continually assure GOV.UK One Login against best practice guidance, conduct risk assessments with input from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and undertake regular end-to-end IT Health Checks. We successfully completed a Cyber Assessment Framework security exercise in 2024, with continued work and collaboration with NCSC on future mitigations.
GOV.UK One Login is now 100% developed and managed in the UK. No personnel developed components of the GOV.UK One Login service offshore without prior consultation with the NCSC. Any code in GOV.UK One Login that was produced by overseas staff was further subjected to a review by a staff member with Security Check clearance in the UK before it was deployed to production.
As a Government Major Projects Portfolio programme (GMPP), the programme is subject to additional regular independent scrutiny and reporting. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority has reviewed the programme positively in the last three Assurance Gateway Reviews
Making it work for everyone
We’re here to help. Our GOV.UK One Login contact centre is available weekdays 9am to 5pm for live support. You can ask a trusted helper to assist using our step‑by‑step helpers guide.
Companies House are phasing in identity verification over 12 months to make things easier for companies and business owners, and they will be in touch directly with information about what you need to do and when.
The new requirement to prove the identities of directors and PSCs strengthens trust in UK businesses, but it's also part of something bigger. Our mission at GOV.UK One Login is to transform how people interact with government – making services simpler, faster and more secure. As more services connect, we're getting closer to that vision: prove your identity once, then focus on what matters to you.
We're proud to work alongside Companies House on this important step forward for UK business.
Read more about verifying your identity for Companies House.
67 comments
Comment by David Moss posted on
"We conduct regular independent testing of our systems as part of assurance activities", says Natalie Jones OBE.
As reported in the national press, the result of one of these tests was to show that GOV.UK One Login can be broken into and manipulated without detection, please see for example https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366623991/Security-tests-reveal-serious-vulnerability-in-governments-One-Login-digital-ID-system.
It is remiss of Ms Jones to omit that fact. This is the ideal opportunity – at the start of Companies House relying on the GOV.UK One Login identity verification service – for the Government Digital Service to put the public's mind at rest. The press coverage is alarming, please see for example https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-15123501/whistleblower-proof-Starmers-digital-ID-card-hackers.html and https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y930x81wpo. We need to feel confident that this government service is secure.
Not just the public. The question arises how Companies House can feel confident about the cyber security of GOV.UK One Login.
13.2 million people have opened GOV.UK One Login accounts over the past three years or so. Any number of them could be "sleepers" and could defeat the agency's attempts to reduce economic crime. Any number of back doors or trojans could have been inserted by now, undetected, ready to use everyone's personal information for fraud and to hold Companies House to ransom thus paralysing the UK economy.
Are Companies House right to be confident about relying on GOV.UK One Login?
HMRC and DWP are supposed to be planning to rely on GOV.UK One Login and Number 10 plan to use it as the foundation of their BritCard digital ID scheme.
Can GOV.UK One Login support the weight of all this responsibility?
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi David, thank you for your comment.
We have now updated this blog post to include more information about security and accessibility.
Comment by peter foster posted on
I initially attemped the process when the letters came out mutiple times. I contacted CH many times by email No response. Still find it impossible to complete the process and is causing significant concerns. Where is the online supoort where you speak to a Human. Whats the direct email to contact some one at companies house .
Peter
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Peter,
Sorry you're having trouble completing identity verification. Unfortunately we cannot give direct email addresses on our blog.
We're committed to making sure that every customer has a fair and accessible opportunity to meet their legal obligations. We provide a range of guidance and assistance to help directors and people with significant control complete identity verification. This includes expanded and specially trained support teams, extended contact hours, and a specialist team that can consider reasonable adjustments and review cases requiring further support.
Please send your details to enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk so that our team can review and support you.
Comment by peter foster posted on
David
As per previous feedback I am finding impossible to complete the verification process due to the performance of the process. I have asked for help from CH but never had a reply. Can I please have the email of a person ( not info at etc) who can help me . This is urgent
Comment by andrew hester posted on
very hard to use
Comment by peter foster posted on
I am finding impossible to complete. I have used verification ID process and never had such a bad and contunuiing poor experience as this
Comment by Chris Walsk posted on
Why has CH as a result of this process now authorised the other directors to file Company accounts.
Hitherto only our accountants through the Chairman can file accounts.
Now it appears any director can if they so whished can file accounts!!!
This makes the process absurd at the very least and open to MORE FRAUD and you name it.
We thought this was simply a matter of establishing the IDs of directors. Will someone at CH please tell us what is going on??Has any one else experienced this ?
Chris Walsh
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Chris,
Company directors are legally responsible for preparing the accounts and ensuring they are filed correctly and on time. The introduction of identity verification does not include any changes to accounts or who can file them. You can find more information on filing your accounts with Companies House here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/life-of-a-company-annual-requirements
Comment by STEVEN Andrew PRUSSIA posted on
USELESS
Comment by Hugo Fair posted on
Ignoring the Companies House aspect (which is as yet unproven and has been suffering the usual teething problems during the 1st-2nd days of its existence) ... it should be made clear that there's no 1:1 correlation between a 'GOV.UK One Login' and a unique ID for that individual.
In other words, there is absolutely nothing to stop (and nothing illegal in) a person from setting up multiple 'GOV.UK One Logins' ... there's no limit!
Whether or not 'GOV.UK One Login' will make it easier for those wishing (or more likely needing) to interact with a Govt service is debatable - but it certainly isn't going to make those interactions more definitive/secure from the perspective of the individual Govt services.
And any policy-maker relying on analysis across data-sets (using 'GOV.UK One Login' IDs as connections) might as well just continue throwing darts.
Comment by Paul Lloyd posted on
Wont accept my identity despite providing passport and driving licence numbers.
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Paul,
If you are having problems with GOV.UK One Login, you can find details on how to contact them here: https://home.account.gov.uk/contact-gov-uk-one-login
Comment by Richard posted on
I’ve registered with uk gov one ( or whatever it’s called) but have no idea how to get my companies house unique personal code! Is it automatic and just a matter of waiting! Who knows?
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Richard,
Sign in to Companies House and go to ‘Manage account’ to view your code. You’ll need to sign in using the same email address you used when you verified: https://identity.company-information.service.gov.uk/identity-verification/direct/has-identity-been-verified
Comment by Malcolm B posted on
This does not work for me. If I go to that link and enter my details it asks me for my "identity verification details". There is no "manage account".
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Malcolm,
Please email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk with details on the method you used to verify your identity for further advice.
Comment by Peter Dennis Warren posted on
Similarly to Luke, I have been waiting for my Personal Code for 2 weeks after having had my id verified (on the third attempt). Going into Co House Manage Accounts does NOT allow the Personal Code to be viewed. So where do we go from here?
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Peter,
Please email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk with details on the method you used to verify your identity for further advice.
Comment by Ann-marie Thomas posted on
We have registered for myself and my husband i have had a code but my husband had a pre existing account and logged on to manage account but the personal code is not there ?
This is so complicated it just sends you in circles.
Its impossible to get his code
We have deleted his gov.one act and re set up however he still cant get a code !!!
This is so frustrating
Late filing company statement because of this ridiculous system with no support to resolve
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Ann-marie,
This could be related to using different email addresses for GOV.UK One Login and Companies House account. Please email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk with full details so we can assist.
Comment by Jeanette posted on
After several months' of trying, those of us without current passports or driver's licenses - yet masses of other proof of UK ID widely accepted by local authorities, banks etc that we use without issue in our daily lives - still cannot get through either the GOV UK website ID checks, which still does not offer the route for answering security questions after entering bank & NI details, or the Companies House ID checks.
No logical suggestions to add obviously official ID are being accepted to help improve this non-working scheme that's affecting thousands of us (eg such as why not change the verification list rules to allow over-60s local authority photo bus passes, which already go through stringent ID vetting before issue). Ironically, I was then shocked to be told just yesterday that my only recourse is to pay for a teenager's 'Proof of Age' PASS Card & then go through an ACSP agent - which will cost me over £100 & take many more wasted hours of my effort for obtaining something I'd be ridiculed for if ever I used it in public! (No-one is going to mistake me for under 18 - how humiliating to have to buy this & look a deluded 61 year old.)
Having to do this unexpectedly rather than using existing official existing ID from HMRC, NHS /GP, Electoral Register, local Council , Bank / Credit Card, UK Birth Certificate etc will take us well beyond our annual return filing deadline next week, for which we'll no doubt be fined. This might be peanuts to big companies but is financially undesirable to people like us in small residents' management companies, who are only directors to look after the flats in which we've lived for many years.
Why can't temporary / emergency codes be issued this year to those us in this position who have to file annual returns within the next few days? Having worked in IT development in large companies for years, good practice dictates that one always has contingency plans for when implementing pilot schemes & rolling out new systems in case they don't work. It's been known for months this system is not fit for purpose & needs much overhaul before it should be mandatory.
By moving the compulsory deadline you will give time to quality assure your processes, fix the website, add in extra official documents to your verification lists, now you have feedback from numerous customers of what people actually own - not what someone high-up & out-of-touch thinks the general public should purchase randomly - & allow us to prove our ID with dignity, instead of being made to feel inferior because we don't have the money to travel abroad or own a car.
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Jeanette,
Sorry you're having trouble completing identity verification. We are working with GOV.UK One Login to continually improve the service, including expanding the evidence accepted. Please email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk with full details of your situation for advice.
Comment by Gail posted on
My ID is verified. So how do I link my original Companies House acct with Gov.uk One? Didn't prompt me to do so as they said it would. Thanks
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Gail,
If you used the same email address for both services, then the accounts should be automatically linked. Sign in to GOV.UK One Login and visit the ‘Manage account’ section, to see if you need to link the accounts. If you need further guidance please email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk.
Comment by Michael Casebourne posted on
I am on this page of Gov.UK to get a clear straightforward instruction as to how to get myidentity verified and I just cant see how to do it. Your instruvtions lack the clarity needed to successfully complete this process.
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Michael,
You can access the online service to verify you identity here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house. This page also includes information on using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify your identity.
Comment by Carole Ahronson posted on
Frustrating I’ve tried 6 times only to be met with an error on the site.
Comment by Joss posted on
Hi Carole,
I feel your pain - trying to assist someone with the registration / verification process and it's resulted in multiple attempts which result in either a huge delay (the circle sits there spinning waiting for some sort of notification from the app, but never arrives, despite the user being logged into the app), or a website error.
It's not a very well designed process.
Comment by Mr A J G Shergold posted on
Initiative to improve security is always welcome. The information is thorough. After a failed attempt I had everything together in front of me for the job and got on with it. It took about 20 minutes of company time.
Whether our foreign directors will be able to access their personal codes as easily remains to be seen.
Comment by KENNETH COOPER posted on
virtually impossible to verify for companies house
Comment by Celia Rawlings posted on
Complicated!!
Comment by Celia Rawlings posted on
So easy to go wrong and have to start once more
Comment by John Wakefield posted on
I have tried multiple times now at least 8 attempts and when i get to the end process it states unable to verify
I went to the Post Office today and they told me they could only verify my ID online to which i said thats why i was in the POST OFFICE because i could t complete the process on line
You couldnt make it up !!
Comment by Rev Susan Hewitt posted on
Absolutely awful. Spent DAYS going round in circles. Get told what to do but not a pathway to actually do it. Given up so many times.
Comment by Grant Perkins posted on
Very badly explained in the process screens.
And why is it in "must use" status whilst still a beta release?
Trying to use the Companies House verification.
So far as I can tell I used a process that should be an easy one stop verification to my photo driving licence, got a message to say that something might take up to 30 seconds and to not try to go back to the message screen if one had moved on, clicked continue and was presented with an unexpected message about not being able to make chacks against security questions - something that had not been mentioned previously.
The related help page seems to suggest that the security questions mentioned would be those for my bank account - or one of them. Presumably access via Experian.
I can't help but feel that offers a huge extra opportunity for any semi-smart hacker to breach my personal bank security measures, such as they are, by spreading the information to multiple "holding" points.
The wider and deeper implications of these government projects, released as betas, should be more openly discussed.
Comment by MarkK posted on
How is "signing a mortgage deed" a government service? Or has signing been redefined?
Is GDS taking over liability from conveyancers?
When HMLR were setting up to use Verify in 2018, additional liability was tabled in Parliament; when will parliamentary approval for the greater liabilities from the intended wider use be sought?
Comment by Chris C posted on
what an awful system. What happens if the authenticator app used is no longer current - nothing you can do, but delete your account - nothing online - all telephone support and - I cannot believe the government have rolled this out with such terrible Customer Experience!
Comment by Chris C posted on
yep, could not agree more. The Computer says no!!!
Comment by C Lesley posted on
Taking me hours. I do not have good mobile phone signal where i live so trying to get texct codes is a nightmare. 4 hours later I am still trying to authenticate my identity. Useless
Comment by Tom Heffernan posted on
This system is truly rubbish, have tried multiple times with no luck.The problem for us appears to be that initially we did get through the system and they advised us that the ID would be sent to us by e mail it never was and we have checked our spam folder. This basically stops you from using the system as they say "you already have your ID details"
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Tom,
If you have verified your identity successfully you should be able to view your personal code by signing in to Companies House and going to ‘Manage account’. You’ll need to sign in using the same email address you used when you verified: https://identity.company-information.service.gov.uk/identity-verification/direct/has-identity-been-verified
If you cannot find the code here please email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk and we can check if your identity has been verified.
Comment by Gordon Alistair Fensom posted on
Truly awful. I've now spent two days trying to link Companies House, Gov Uk, and Gov UK ID Check, and all i've done is go round in circles.
Lots of long, detailed advice on why to do this, what to do and how to do it. But no LINKS between the various apps. If you want people to do this, make it easy.
It feels like this system has been devised and created by developers who have never had to do this themselves. Or even tested it. I am now asking my accountants to do this for me for a fee of £!00. Perhaps you could refund me this. I live in hope rather than expectation.
Surely you can do better. I can't imagine anyone will respond to me and explain how this should be done. It would be good if you did. Thank you.
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Gordon,
Sorry you're having trouble completing identity verification. If you still require support please email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk.
Comment by John Ryan posted on
So companies house applies time pressure to get verifications done but cannot provide a clear path to getting it done. Going around in circles.
Comment by David Moss posted on
“… GOV.UK One Login follows high standards for identity verification”, says Natalie Jones OBE.
The implication is that Companies House can be fairly confident that anyone who has had their identity verified by GOV.UK One Login really is who they say they are.
But is that the case?
Earlier this year, the GOV.UK One Login service was included on the register maintained by the Office for Digital Identities and Attributes. Services are included on the register if they comply with the Digital Identity and Attributes Trust Framework.
Please take a look at the register, https://www.digital-identity-services-register.service.gov.uk/. You will see that it records whether each service satisfies any of the supplementary codes. There are three supplementary codes – one for right to work checks, one for right to rent checks and one for DBS checks.
Many identity verification services satisfy all three of these supplementary codes. While GOV.UK One Login was included on the register of trustworthy services, its entry indicated that it satisfied none of the supplementary codes (https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20250204204851mp_/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/679cb229a9ee53687470a2fb/2025-01-31_-_UK_DIATF_certified_services.csv).
The Prime Minister aims to introduce digital ID into the UK based on GOV.UK One Login, specifically to check people’s right to work. That’s a surprising choice.
Closer to home, how confident can Companies House be that GOV.UK One Login “follows high standards for identity verification”?
Comment by David Moss posted on
Thank you for your reply, Luke. The blog post has been updated but the worries for Companies House remain.
The blog post continues to claim that “We follow the highest security standards for government and private sector services”. But that can’t be true given that GOV.UK One Login scored only 21 out of 39 in its “Cyber Assessment Framework security exercise in 2024” up from 5 out of 39 the year before according to ‘Gov.uk One Login yet to meet government cyber security standards for critical public services
’ (https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366623357/Govuk-One-Login-yet-to-meet-government-cyber-security-standards-for-critical-public-services). The highest security standard would presumably score 39 out of 39.
That should worry Companies House, as should the claim made in ‘Security tests reveal serious vulnerability in government’s One Login digital ID system
’ (https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366623991/Security-tests-reveal-serious-vulnerability-in-governments-One-Login-digital-ID-system) that it was possible to break in to GOV.UK One Login and manipulate its data and its code without detection.
‘Government faces claims of serious security and data protection problems in One Login digital ID’ (https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366622533/Government-faces-claims-of-serious-cyber-security-and-data-protection-problems-in-One-Login-digital-ID) says “As a result of [a whistleblower’s] initial warnings, then GDS chief executive Tom Read found out that development work on One Login had been offshored to Romania, without his knowledge or approval and without first seeking advice from the NCSC”. That is inconsistent with the re-drafted blog post above which now says “No personnel developed components of the GOV.UK One Login service offshore without prior consultation with the NCSC”.
The same article says “The NCSC recommends that system administration for key government services should be conducted from a dedicated device used only for that purpose, known as a privileged access workstation (PAW), or alternatively to use only ‘browse down’ devices …”. The updated blog post is silent on the question whether the highest standards have been followed such that only properly vetted computers are and have been used for the development and management of GOV.UK One Login. That omission should worry Companies House.
According to the updated blog post “Any code in GOV.UK One Login that was produced by overseas staff was further subjected to a review by a staff member with Security Check clearance in the UK before it was deployed to production”. That is a clumsy after-the-event procedure and is surely not the highest standard. And checking code is only one requirement – what about checking the data for alterations to identities, new identities inserted, …?
Computer Weekly says “according to previous claims by the whistleblower, staff without sufficient security clearance had accessed the live production environment – containing data and code – over 6,000 times in a single month, including [but not restricted to] Deloitte employees based in Romania”. That’s a lot of reviewing for “a staff member with Security Check clearance in the UK” to do.
Over the years 13.2 million people (to use Natalie Jones OBE’s figure) “have proved their identity with GOV.UK One Login”. Are Companies House helping to continue the practice by other HMG departments and agencies of exposing people to the risks of what looks prima facie like an untrustworthy system?
Comment by David Moss posted on
Companies House look as though they are misleading their readers.
“Over 1 million people have already verified their identity for Companies House through GOV.UK One Login since April … Those 1 million people also join a total of 13.2 million people who have proved their identity with GOV.UK One Login to access more than 110 different government services”, says Natalie Jones OBE in the blog post above.
That makes it clear that GOV.UK One Login is an identity verification service for use by any number of government service-providers, not just by Companies House. The service hasn’t been created by Companies House and it isn’t operated by Companies House. Rather, it is operated by the Government Digital Service (GDS) which is currently part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), quite separate from the Department for Business & Trade which sponsors Companies House.
Now consider three communications published by Companies House:
• 16 October 2025, ‘Making identity verification simple, secure and trusted’ (https://companieshouse.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/16/making-identity-verification-simple-secure-and-trusted/).
• 3 November 2025, ‘One million people verify identity early ahead of Companies House changes’ (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/one-million-people-verify-identity-early-ahead-of-companies-house-changes).
• 18 November 2025, ‘Notice served on bogus directors as Companies House changes come into force’ (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/notice-served-on-bogus-directors-as-companies-house-changes-come-into-force).
In each communication, Companies House say:
QUOTE
There are 2 ways for individuals to verify their identity:
• directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login
• through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
UNQUOTE
This is misleading. Individuals who verify their identity through GOV.UK One Login are not doing so “directly” with Companies House. It’s not GDS who are being misleading. They make the situation quite clear, as noted above. It’s Companies House.
Take a look at the GOV.UK One Login privacy notice (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/govuk-one-login-privacy-notice/govuk-one-login-privacy-notice) which again makes the situation clear:
QUOTE
GOV.UK One Login is provided by the Government Digital Service (GDS), part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) …
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), as GDS’s parent organisation, is the data controller of the personal data you provide when you use GOV.UK One Login.
UNQUOTE
Why do Companies House pretend that individuals are verifying their identities with them when that is plainly not the case?
Comment by David Moss posted on
The misleading claim that verifying your identity through GOV.UK One Login amounts to doing it "directly" with Companies House has made it into their 2025-30 corporate strategy, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/companies-house-strategy-2025-to-2030/companies-house-strategy-2025-to-2030:
QUOTE
The value of corporate transparency in tackling economic crime is estimated (2024) to be between £170 and £460 million per year for private sector organisations, which is expected to double following reforms.
We’ll achieve this objective by:
• implementing a robust, compulsory identity verification process for people setting up, owning, and running companies, whether directly or through an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP) …
UNQUOTE
Using GDS's GOV.UK One Login is no more direct than using an ACSP.
Comment by Stephen J posted on
I have been filing for our small company for more than 30 years on time without fail. Like many others this new system is simply awful and driving me around the bend. We are told to get your companies house personal code, go to "Manage Account" and it will be there. No it isn't. I have contacted Co. Hse. but until I get a reply I'm stuck. It is at least gratifying to know that it is not me being a dumbo. Thanks Companies House for wasting so much precious time for so many hard working people adding to the nations poor productivity record.
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Stephen,
Sorry you're having trouble finding your personal code. If you've not yet had a response regarding your issue, please email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk with details on the method you used to verify your identity.
Comment by Alan Newton posted on
Absolute rubbish.....After 2 hours I have still not been successful and I does not recognise me if I use a different way to confirm my identity although the passport office for renewal of my passport uses the same information and their system works !!!!??
Comment by Marie Cross posted on
I have been round in circles to no avail. Spoke to Lianne on webchat and had 16 messages "a member of the support team will be with you shortly"
and no solution to my verification of identity. Went to Dereham Post Office but assistant could not help as he was not trained to do so, only with a letter from .gov with a QR code which he could read.
I even wiped the app off my phone and re-installed, still took me in circles.
I despair, why all the stress?
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Marie,
You cannot verify your identity at a Post Office without entering details from your photo ID on GOV.UK first. Once you've done this, you'll get a confirmation email including a letter with a QR code to take to a participating Post Office. For further support you can contact GOV.UK One Login: https://home.account.gov.uk/contact-gov-uk-one-login
Comment by karen posted on
this is useless get sent a code to enter via phone
once entered i can not get any further
Comment by Debbie posted on
We managed to get ID codes but now Companies House is giving an error code when our agent is trying to file on out behalf and not accepting one ID. even though I can clearly see that the number is correct.
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Debbie,
This is likely to be because the personal details linked to the code do not match the details on our records. You can find some advice on how to resolve this here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/companies-house-personal-codes-for-identity-verification#if-the-personal-details-linked-to-your-code-do-not-match-our-records
Comment by Debbie posted on
DOB is just month and year so not sure how that can be incorrect. We have entered the code correctly and we generated it so I can't see how the info on the link helps, I'm afraid,
Comment by Nigel D Bruce posted on
This is useless get sent a code to enter via phone
once entered cant make any progress :-(((
Comment by peter foster posted on
I share your frustration. Where are the people at CH available to help directly. I have tried various videos on line ,none of them have helped. CH doesnt respoond to emails for help. There seem to be so many types of issues
Comment by Malcolm posted on
Having got my personal code, our administrator went to Companies House to set up a new company. I was expecting the system to generate a personal email message to me asking me to confirm that I was a director and to enter my personal code. Instead it had to be entered, along with all the other directors' codes, on the Companies House form. We all had to give our codes to the administrator to do this (I imagine others would have to do the same, giving their codes to any incorporation agent). This means within two weeks of getting my code, I have already given it to somebody else. Yes, I trust them. But should I have to? Isn't this completely the wrong way of designing a safe and secure system ?
Comment by Jade posted on
I have bee trying to submit my Confirmation statement that is currently overdue as Companies House have been using the incorrect email to contact me. Since completing the statement I am unable to submit due to the issues with the new legalisation from 18th November for identity which is now causing a lot of stress and anxiety as this is not my fault. I speak to Companies House, they tell me I need to speak to One Log In who then refer me back to Companies House. What is going on?? Even the Telephone numbers revert to the other. No further forward and nobody seems want to help. Surely there should have been an transition to allow for people to sort this new identity to avoid delays with webfiling.
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Jade,
Companies House uses the email provided by the company to contact them. If you need to update your registered email address you can do that here: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/registered-email-address.
If you have registered for Companies House email reminders you can update your email address by signing in to WebFiling: https://ewf.companieshouse.gov.uk/.
You will need to verify you identity to be able to file your confirmation statement. We cannot provide support for this via blog comments, please email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk with details on the issue you are having when attempting to verify your identity.
Comment by Warren S Mitchell posted on
After getting my documents verified at the Post Office and receiving a receipt for the same they have never been activated by one login in. I've asked a dozen times why not, only to be told HOW TO VERIFY. I HAVE. What IS the problem. Why can't the one log in team understand? I've sent them a copy of the receipt and the in branch verification letter I took to the PO. Useless they can't confirm if it's been lost!!
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Warren,
If you have verified successfully using the GOV.UK One Login post office route but not received your personal code you should email enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk with details so that we can advise.
Comment by Des B posted on
I have verified myself online (which was hardly straightforward, as I was sent repeatedly in circles from computer to phone and had to provide numerous codes sent both to my phone and my email account) but there are four other Directors to verify. I *might* be able to do some if not all of these, but one of them, being born in 1936, has no access to the internet and no desire to.
Even if I were to attempt to verify the Director myself, Companies House information states that their Companies House personal code will be *emailed* to them. It also states that the Director can verify their identity at a Post Office, "once you've [i.e., once THEY have] entered your (THEIR) photo ID details online.
How to proceed, please?
Comment by Luke C posted on
Hi Des,
You can find information on how you can help others use GOV.UK One Login, including advice on email addresses here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-someone-use-govuk-one-login
Alternatively, you could use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify the identity of directors. You can find a list of ACSPs here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-authorised-corporate-service-providers-acsps
If you need further support please email: enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk