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How to Instruct Clients to Verify Their Identity with Companies House (When You’re Not an ACSP)

Jamie Collett

Because your firm is not an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), you:

  • Don’t see a “Send identity check request” option in Inform Direct, and
  • Cannot run Companies House ID verification on behalf of your clients via Inform Direct.

Instead, your clients (directors / PSCs / LLP members) must complete identity verification directly with Companies House. You can use the steps below to explain the process to them.

 

Instruct them on how to start the identity verification

Your client needs to navigate here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house

This will require them to create a Gov One account.
 

4. Explain what documents and actions they will need

Prepare them for what the online ID check usually involves:

They will typically need to:

  • Provide a photo ID document
    – For example, a passport or driving licence (exact options are listed by Companies House).
  • Take a live selfie or short video, using a smartphone or webcam, so the system can match their face to the document.
  • Confirm some personal information (full name, date of birth, address).

Advise them to:

  • Use a device with a camera (phone or tablet is often easiest).
  • Make sure they’re in a well‑lit area so their face and ID are clearly visible.
  • Carefully follow the on‑screen instructions until they see confirmation that their verification has been submitted.
 

5. Tell them what happens next – and what you need from them

Once Companies House has successfully verified them:

  • Companies House will issue a personal code (sometimes called a Companies House personal identifier).
  • This code is sent directly to the individual, usually by email. For some, it will be saved within the Gov One account.
  • Companies House will only share this code with the individual verified. 

What you should ask the client to do:

  1. Keep the code safe – it will be used to prove they have been verified.
  2. Send the code to you securely (for example via encrypted email or your usual secure channel).

Explain why you need it:

  • For a director, you need to report their personal code to Companies House with a confirmation statement. Without this, you cannot file. 
  • For a PSC, you need it when filing a PSC verification statement / VS01 or similar filing.
  • You also need to record it in Inform Direct to keep your records complete.
 

A suggested wording to send to clients:

 

“Once Companies House has verified your identity, you will obtain an 11-digit alphanumeric personal code. Please keep this safe and then send it to us securely, so we can record it and make sure it is filed correctly with Companies House when required.”

6. Clarify your role and limitations

Make it clear to the client that:

  • You can explain the process and tell them when they need to verify and when you’ll use their code.
  • But because your firm is not an ACSP, you cannot:
    • Initiate their Companies House identity verification through Inform Direct, or
    • Complete the verification for them.

They must complete the ID verification themselves via Companies House, then provide you with their personal code.