What is Companies House identity verification?

Identity verification is a new legal requirement under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. All company directors and PSCs must verify their identity to receive a Companies House personal code.

How much does identity verification cost?

Digital verification starts from £39, with video call verification available from £49. We also offer in-person verification from £59 and priority same-day service at £99.

How long does verification take?

Most digital verifications are completed within 24 hours. The actual identity check takes just 5-10 minutes.

What documents do I need?

For digital verification, you need a biometric passport or UK driving licence. For video call and in-person verification, a wider range of documents is accepted including national ID cards.

Forming a UK company in 2026: fees, identity verification and what's changed

Two things changed for forming a UK company in 2026. First, the Companies House digital incorporation fee rose to £100 from 1 February 2026 (it was £50 before that). Second, under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, every director and person with significant control (PSC) must now verify their identity — and for a new company that happens at the point of incorporation.

Neither is a reason not to incorporate — but both are worth planning for, because an unverified director or PSC can hold a formation up.

Key facts

CH incorporation fee:: £100 digital, from 1 February 2026 (was £50)
Confirmation statement:: £50 digital per year, from 1 February 2026 (was £34)
Statutory vs service fee:: The CH fee is separate from any formation agent's fee
Identity verification:: Every director and PSC must verify; for new companies, at incorporation
Verify in advance:: You can — verification is person-level and can be done before incorporating

1. The fee change (from 1 February 2026)

Companies House fees are set to recover its costs, and they rose on 1 February 2026. The headline figures for forming and running a company digitally:

Incorporate a company: £100 (was £50).
Confirmation statement (annual): £50 (was £34).

These are the statutory fees paid to Companies House. If you use a formation agent or service, that's a separate fee for preparing and submitting the application on your behalf — read how much it costs to form a company in 2026 for the full breakdown, and why the fees went up.

2. Identity verification is now part of forming a company

Every director and PSC of a new company must verify their identity at incorporation. Verification is tied to you, not the company, so you receive a reusable Companies House personal code once verified. Because it's person-level, you can — and ideally should — verify before you incorporate so nothing holds the formation up.

You can verify free directly with Companies House via GOV.UK One Login, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. TaxStats Ltd is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider — an independent agent authorised by Companies House, not Companies House itself. We carry out the check and submit it; Companies House issues your personal code.

Ready to form a company?

If you'd like us to handle it, see company formation, or if you're not incorporated yet and want to verify first, forming a company walks you through verifying before your company exists.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Companies House charge to form a company in 2026?

From 1 February 2026 the Companies House digital incorporation fee is £100 (up from £50). That is the statutory fee paid to Companies House. A formation agent or service may charge its own separate fee on top to prepare and submit the application.

Do all directors and PSCs have to verify their identity to form a company?

Yes. Under the new rules every director and PSC must verify their identity, and for a new company this is required at the point of incorporation. Verifying everyone in advance avoids the application being delayed.

What does it cost to keep a company compliant each year?

Every company files an annual confirmation statement. From 1 February 2026 the digital confirmation statement fee is £50 (up from £34). Other filings (such as accounts) may carry their own requirements.

Is there a free way to form a company?

You can incorporate directly with Companies House and verify your identity free via GOV.UK One Login — you still pay the statutory £100 incorporation fee. A service like ours is an optional convenience: we prepare the application and handle verification for you.

Written and reviewed by TaxStats ID

TaxStats Ltd is a Companies House Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP AP006589) — an independent agent authorised by Companies House, not Companies House or a government body. We verify identities and submit them on your behalf; the Companies House personal code is issued by Companies House. Last updated June 2026; checked against GOV.UK guidance. Our Companies House record