Companies House Identity Verification for Indian Residents: 2026 Guide

If you live in India and are forming, directing, owning or controlling a UK company, identity verification is now part of the Companies House compliance process.

Since 18 November 2025, identity verification requirements have been phased in for company directors and people with significant control, known as PSCs. The date did not create one universal deadline for everyone: Companies House introduced a transition system in which the actual due date depends on the person’s role and circumstances.

For Indian founders, the key point is simple:

You can complete Companies House identity verification without travelling to the UK.

There are two main routes:

verify directly through GOV.UK One Login; or
ask an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to verify you.

Companies House currently allows the direct online route to use a biometric passport from any country, which can include an eligible Indian passport. An ACSP can also verify an individual while they are outside the UK.

If you are still deciding how to establish the company itself, read our UK Company Formation from India — Complete 2026 Guide⁠.

Quick Answer

An Indian resident can normally satisfy Companies House identity-verification requirements remotely.

Companies House confirms that verification is generally a one-time identity process, after which the same personal code can be used for the individual’s relevant company roles.

1. Who Needs to Verify Their Identity?

For a typical UK private limited company owned from India, the most important categories are:

Directors

New and existing directors fall within the identity-verification regime.

People with Significant Control — PSCs

An individual may be a PSC if, for example, they:

own more than 25% of the company’s shares;
control more than 25% of voting rights;
can appoint or remove a majority of directors; or
otherwise exercise significant influence or control.

An Indian founder who owns 100% of a UK Ltd and is also its director will therefore usually have two company roles:

director + PSC

but only one personal identity.

2. If You Are Both Director and PSC, Do You Verify Twice?

Usually, no.

Companies House verifies the individual rather than creating a separate identity for every role.

Once verified, you receive a single personal code.

You can then use the same code to connect your verified identity to the different roles you hold. Companies House specifically states that the same personal code is used each time an individual needs to confirm that they are verified, including where they are a director of multiple companies.

The important distinction is:

Identity verification happens once

but

the verified identity may need to be linked separately to each company role.

3. The Two Main Verification Routes From India

Indian residents generally have two practical routes.

Route 1 — GOV.UK One Login

This is the direct Companies House route.

Companies House says GOV.UK One Login can use:

a biometric passport from any country;
a UK photo driving licence;
a UK biometric residence permit;
a UK biometric residence card;
a UK Frontier Worker permit.

For an Indian resident, the passport route is normally the most relevant.

Route 2 — Authorised Corporate Service Provider

An ACSP is a Companies House-authorised agent that is also subject to UK AML supervision.

Examples can include:

accountants;
solicitors;
company-service providers;
other appropriately supervised professionals.

Companies House confirms that ACSP verification can be completed from any country.

4. Can You Use an Indian Passport?

Potentially, yes.

Companies House does not restrict the passport route to British passports.

Its current guidance says GOV.UK One Login can use a:

biometric passport from any country.

That can include a suitable Indian biometric passport.

However, there is an important distinction:

Eligible document type

does not mean

automatic successful verification.

The digital service still needs to successfully read the document and match the individual.

If it cannot, an ACSP may be the more practical alternative.

5. What If GOV.UK One Login Does Not Work?

A failed or unavailable One Login route does not necessarily mean you cannot satisfy the Companies House requirement.

Companies House expressly provides the ACSP alternative for individuals who cannot use the direct route.

Depending on the circumstances, sensible next steps can include:

checking that your personal information exactly matches the ID;
checking that the passport/document is suitable;
following the One Login support process;
using a registered ACSP instead.

The key is not to manipulate information to make the system accept you.

Your name, date of birth and identity evidence should remain accurate and consistent.

6. How ACSP Verification Works

An ACSP does not simply send Companies House a copy of your passport.

The agent must meet the Companies House identity-verification standard and conduct appropriate checks.

Companies House requires authorised agents to establish that:

the identity information belongs to a real person;
the evidence is valid;
the evidence relates to the individual being verified;
the required verification standard has been met.

The ACSP must also retain the required verification records.

An Indian founder using an ACSP may therefore be asked for a combination of:

passport;
residential-address information;
date of birth;
email address;
additional supporting identification;
digital identity or liveness checks.

The exact evidence depends on the verification method used by the ACSP.

7. What Is the Companies House Personal Code?

After verification, Companies House issues an 11-character personal code.

The code belongs to the individual, not to the company.

This distinction is important because one Indian founder may have:

one personal code;
several UK companies;
several directorships;
several PSC roles.

The same personal code can be used across those relevant roles.

8. Personal Code vs Company Authentication Code

These are completely different credentials.

Do not confuse the two.

You may need both when dealing with Companies House, but they serve different purposes.

9. When Does a New Indian Director Need the Code?

For someone becoming a director after mandatory verification began, the position is relatively straightforward.

Companies House states that a person becoming a director from 18 November 2025 onwards needs to provide their personal code:

when being appointed; or
when incorporating a new company.

For a new company with more than one director, the incorporation process may therefore require the personal code for each director.

A simplified workflow is:

Verify identity

↓

Receive personal code

↓

Prepare director and company details

↓

Submit incorporation

↓

Companies House considers the filing

Identity verification is therefore a prerequisite in the modern formation workflow, but it does not itself create the company.

10. What About Existing Directors?

Existing directors use the transition system.

Companies House says an existing director must provide their personal code as part of the company’s next Confirmation Statement during the transition period.

The Confirmation Statement must include:

each director’s personal code; and
a confirmation that each director has verified their identity.

Companies House says it will not accept the Confirmation Statement until the relevant directors have completed identity verification.

This means an Indian founder with an existing company should not leave verification until the last moment.

11. How PSC Verification Works

PSC verification is related to director verification, but the deadline mechanism is different.

Every individual PSC has a 14-day period in which they must provide:

their Companies House personal code; and
a statement confirming that their identity has been verified.

The exact 14-day period depends on the PSC’s circumstances.

New PSC after 18 November 2025

The individual receives a Companies House notification indicating the applicable period after being registered as a PSC.

Existing PSC who is also a director

The PSC timing is linked to the company’s Confirmation Statement date.

Existing PSC who is not a director

Companies House uses a separate transition mechanism linked to the individual’s month of birth as displayed on the register.

The practical lesson is:

Do not assume the director deadline and PSC deadline are identical.

12. Director vs PSC: Simple 2026 Matrix

Companies House allows directors and PSCs to check the register for the due dates applying to their roles.

13. Indian Residential Address vs UK Company Address

Identity verification concerns the person.

The Registered Office concerns the company.

These should not be blurred.

If you genuinely live in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi or another Indian location, your personal verification information should reflect your real residential circumstances.

A London Registered Office does not mean the director lives in London.

Similarly, a professional Director Service Address is a public correspondence address and should not be represented as a residential address unless that is factually true.

For a full explanation of UK statutory addresses, read our Registered Office vs Director Service Address guide⁠.

14. Common Verification Problems for Indian Founders

The biggest problems are often not nationality-related. They are data-consistency problems.

Different versions of the name

Indian documents can sometimes show:

initials;
middle names;
different spacing;
surname/given-name ordering differences.

Where possible, use your legal identity information consistently with the document being relied upon.

Incorrect date of birth

Companies House says a personal code may fail to connect where the date of birth on its records does not match the details linked to the verified identity.

Incorrect personal code

A simple transcription error can prevent the identity from linking correctly.

Wrong email address

Where an ACSP verifies someone, Companies House sends the individual’s personal code to the email address supplied by the ACSP. Companies House specifically tells agents to ensure that address is correct.

Assuming one person’s verification covers everyone

It does not.

If there are two directors, each individual must satisfy their own identity-verification requirement.

15. Example: One Indian Founder Owning 100%

Consider:

Indian resident

↓

100% shareholder

↓

sole director

↓

PSC

This person is both:

director;
PSC.

They normally verify their identity once and receive one personal code.

The code is then used for the relevant director and PSC processes.

This is one of the simplest UK-company verification structures.

16. Example: Two Indian Co-Founders

Suppose:

Founder A — 60%

Founder B — 40%

and both are directors.

Because both hold more than 25% of the shares, both are normally individual PSCs as well.

That means:

Founder A
→ separate verification
→ personal code A

Founder B
→ separate verification
→ personal code B

Neither founder’s identity verification covers the other.

17. Example: Indian Owner With a UK-Resident Director

Suppose an Indian resident owns 100% of the shares but appoints a UK-resident individual as director.

The Indian shareholder may still be the PSC.

The fact that the director lives in the UK does not remove the Indian owner’s PSC verification obligations.

This is one reason appointing a UK-based director should not be treated as a cosmetic workaround for regulatory requirements.

18. Does Identity Verification Change Your Immigration or Tax Status?

No.

Companies House verification does not:

make an Indian resident a UK resident;
grant a UK visa;
establish UK tax residence;
change Indian tax residence;
automatically create banking eligibility.

It is a corporate-register identity requirement.

Tax is a separate issue. For that, see our UK Company Tax for Indian Residents — POEM & DTAA 2026 Guide⁠.

Likewise, Indian overseas-investment rules are separate. Read our FEMA, RBI & Overseas Investment Guide for UK Companies⁠.

19. Companies House Verification Is Not Banking KYC

A founder can be fully verified by Companies House and still be declined by a bank or fintech.

The two processes answer different questions

Banking providers may separately assess:

business activity;
source of funds;
customer geography;
transaction volumes;
beneficial ownership;
residential address;
operating presence.

For that subject, read our UK Business Bank Account for Indian Residents — 2026 Guide⁠.

20. Is Companies House Verification Free?

The direct GOV.UK One Login route is free. Companies House has consistently presented its direct identity-verification service as a free route.

An ACSP may charge a professional fee for carrying out verification.

That means:

government verification route

and

professional verification service

should be priced separately.

For the wider cost of establishing a UK company from India, see our UK Company Formation Cost from India — 2026 Fees Guide⁠.

21. What Happens If You Do Not Verify on Time?

Companies House warns that failing to comply with identity-verification requirements can lead to enforcement consequences.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include:

an offence;
financial penalties;
prosecution or court fines;
restrictions on acting as a director;
problems completing relevant company filings;
a public register note regarding non-compliance.

Existing companies can also face practical filing consequences because Companies House will not accept the relevant Confirmation Statement until required director verification has been completed.

22. Recommended Checklist for Indian Founders

Before starting verification, check:

Your identity

legal name matches your ID;
date of birth is correct;
passport is valid/suitable;
personal email address is accurate.

Your Companies House role

director;
PSC;
both;
director/PSC of more than one UK company.

Your route

GOV.UK One Login; or
registered ACSP.

If the company already exists

check your verification due date;
check the next Confirmation Statement date;
confirm which directors and PSCs still need to comply.

After verification

save the personal code securely;
ensure the correct date of birth is associated with the code;
use the code for every relevant role/company;
complete any separate PSC submission within its applicable period.

23. How Seven Oak Prestige Supports Indian Founders

Seven Oak Prestige is a UK-based advisory firm supporting Indian founders directly with UK company establishment and Companies House compliance.

Depending on the engagement, support can include:

explaining the appropriate verification route;
reviewing identity information for consistency;
coordinating director and PSC requirements;
assisting with company-formation readiness;
personal-code workflow guidance;
Confirmation Statement readiness;
post-incorporation compliance support.

We do not alter identity information, fabricate documents or attempt to bypass Companies House controls.

Our role is to help the founder complete the process accurately, efficiently and with a clear understanding of what is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an Indian resident verify their identity for Companies House?

Yes. Indian residents can potentially verify directly through GOV.UK One Login or through an ACSP.

Can I use an Indian passport?

Companies House currently allows a biometric passport from any country for the relevant GOV.UK One Login route, subject to successful digital verification.

Must I travel to the UK?

Not generally. Companies House states that ACSP verification can be carried out from any country.

What is the Companies House personal code?

It is an 11-character code issued to an individual after identity verification.

Is the personal code unique to one company?

No. It belongs to the individual and can be used for multiple relevant company roles.

Is it the same as the company authentication code?

No.

Do directors need identity verification?

Yes, according to the mandatory rollout and applicable due dates.

Do individual PSCs need verification?

Yes.

If I am both a director and PSC, do I need two identity checks?

Generally, the identity itself is verified once, but the verified identity must be properly connected to both roles.

When must a new director verify?

A new director appointed from 18 November 2025 onwards needs to provide their personal code as part of the appointment or incorporation process.

When must an existing director verify?

Existing directors generally provide their personal code with the company’s next Confirmation Statement during the transition period.

How long does a PSC have?

Every individual PSC has an applicable 14-day period in which to provide their personal code and verification statement. The start date depends on the circumstances.

What if GOV.UK One Login cannot verify me?

You may be able to use an ACSP instead.

Is direct Companies House verification free?

Yes. The direct GOV.UK One Login route is free.

Can an ACSP charge me?

Yes. An ACSP may charge for its professional verification service.

Does verification guarantee UK company registration?

No. The incorporation filing itself must still satisfy Companies House requirements.

Does Companies House verification guarantee a UK bank account?

No. Banking providers conduct independent KYC and risk assessments.

Continue Through the India–UK Knowledge Hub

For the complete formation process:

UK Company Formation from India — Complete 2026 Guide⁠

For formation costs:

UK Company Formation Cost from India — 2026 Fees⁠

For business banking:

UK Business Bank Account for Indian Residents⁠

For UK–India tax:

UK Company Tax for Indian Residents — POEM & DTAA 2026⁠

For India-side overseas-investment rules:

FEMA, RBI & Overseas Investment Rules for UK Companies

⁠Final Takeaway

For an Indian resident, Companies House identity verification is now a normal part of setting up and maintaining a UK company.

The practical journey is:

Verify your identity

through GOV.UK One Login or an ACSP

↓

Receive your 11-character personal code

↓

Use that code to connect your verified identity to your director and/or PSC roles

↓

Complete the relevant incorporation, appointment, Confirmation Statement or PSC process by the correct deadline

The most important points are:

you do not normally need to travel to Britain;
a suitable biometric Indian passport can potentially be used for the direct online route;
an ACSP can verify you remotely from India;
the personal code belongs to the individual, not the company;
director and PSC timing rules are different;
identity verification does not replace banking KYC, tax analysis or FEMA compliance.

For Indian founders, the process is therefore manageable — but it needs to be completed accurately and at the right stage of the company lifecycle.

Need Help With Companies House Identity Verification?

Verify My Identity for Companies House

For Indian residents who need support understanding their Companies House verification route and coordinating the process with an existing or planned UK company.

Start My UK Company With Verification Support

For Indian founders who have not yet incorporated and want director verification, PSC requirements and UK company formation coordinated from the outset.

About the Author

Isaac Jackson
Founder & Managing Director — Seven Oak Prestige Ltd

Isaac Jackson has 3+ years of hands-on experience supporting international entrepreneurs with UK company formation and business-establishment matters.

Seven Oak Prestige has supported close to 100 UK company formation and establishment cases, including non-resident founders requiring assistance with Companies House processes, identity-verification readiness, corporate structure and post-incorporation compliance.

Editorial Methodology

This guide is prepared using a combination of primary Companies House and GOV.UK sources, current regulatory research, practical international-founder experience and ongoing editorial review.

We prioritise official Companies House guidance when confirming verification routes, accepted identification, personal-code requirements, director and PSC deadlines and Confirmation Statement obligations.

We also review recurring questions raised by Indian and other non-resident founders so the guide addresses the practical issues they are most likely to encounter when completing UK company identity verification remotely.

Because Companies House implementation guidance continues to evolve, material regulatory information is reviewed periodically and updated when necessary.

Last reviewed: 1 September 2026

Editorial Disclaimer

This guide provides general educational information about Companies House identity verification and should not be treated as personalised legal, regulatory, tax, immigration, banking or AML advice.

The exact process and deadline depend on the individual’s role, verification status and company circumstances. Companies House guidance should be checked where a filing deadline or unusual ownership structure is involved.

Primary Official Sources Reviewed

Companies House — Verify Your Identity
Confirms the GOV.UK One Login route and accepted identity documents, including biometric passports from any country.

Companies House — When You Need to Verify
Explains current requirements for directors, PSCs and new company registrations.

Companies House — Personal Codes
Confirms the 11-character personal code, how it is used and that one individual uses the same code across relevant company roles.

Companies House — ACSP Verification
Explains how authorised agents can verify an individual’s identity and that the process can be completed from any country.

Companies House — PSC Verification
Explains the 14-day PSC period and how personal codes are submitted.

Companies House — Confirmation Statements
Confirms the relationship between director identity verification, personal codes and the company’s Confirmation Statement.

Companies House Identity Verification for Indian Residents - 2026 Guide