Companies House Personal Code How to Get - UK Identity Verification Guide
A Companies House personal code is an 11-character code issued after you successfully verify your identity with Companies House. The code is personal to you, not your company, and is used to connect your verified identity with your company roles.
How Do You Get a Companies House Personal Code?
You first need to complete identity verification. There are two main ways to do this:
Verify Directly With Companies House
You can verify your identity through GOV.UK One Login using the Companies House identity verification service.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to verify using the GOV.UK One Login app, online security questions or an in-person Post Office verification route.
Once your identity has been successfully verified, Companies House issues your personal code.
Use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider
You can also use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, known as an ACSP.
ACSPs include eligible accountants, solicitors, company formation agents and other authorised professionals. They can verify your identity and submit the verification to Companies House on your behalf.
If an ACSP completes your verification, your personal code is normally sent to the email address they provided for you.
How to Find Your Personal Code
If you verified your identity using GOV.UK One Login, sign in to your Companies House account and go to Manage account.
You need to use the same email address you used when completing your identity verification.
If an ACSP verified you and you received the code by email, you can also save the code to your Companies House account so you can access it later.
What Does the Personal Code Look Like?
The Companies House personal code is an 11-character code.
It belongs to you personally and remains the same when you use it to confirm your verified identity for different company roles.
What Is the Personal Code Used For?
Directors use their personal code to connect their verified identity to their directorships.
Existing directors generally provide their code with the company's relevant confirmation statement. New directors provide it as part of the applicable appointment or incorporation process.
PSCs also need to provide their personal code within their applicable verification period.
If you are a director of several companies, you generally only need to verify your identity once and can use the same personal code for your relevant appointments.
What If You Have Lost Your Personal Code?
If you saved your code to your Companies House account, sign in and check Manage account.
If an ACSP verified you and you never received the code, contact the ACSP and ask them to check the email address they provided.
If you believe someone else has obtained your code, Companies House can change the code and cancel the previous one.
Fraser Bond Companies House Personal Code Support
Fraser Bond provides practical UK corporate administration and compliance support for directors, PSCs, overseas entrepreneurs and UK companies.
Our services can include Companies House identity verification coordination, personal code support, director compliance, PSC administration, registered office services and wider company secretarial support.
Need Help Getting Your Companies House Personal Code?
If you are unsure how to complete your identity verification or obtain and use your Companies House personal code, Fraser Bond can provide practical support with the relevant UK corporate compliance requirements.
