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.

Why did Companies House fees go up in 2026?

Companies House fees changed again on 1 February 2026 — the digital incorporation fee rose to £100 (from £50) and the digital confirmation statement to £50 (from £34). Companies House sets its fees on a cost-recovery basis: they are designed to fund the services it provides rather than to make a profit.

Key facts

When:: 1 February 2026
Incorporation (digital):: £50 → £100
Confirmation statement (digital):: £34 → £50
Why:: Cost recovery — fees fund Companies House services, including its expanded role

What changed

On 1 February 2026 several Companies House fees rose. The two that matter most for forming and running a company digitally are incorporation (£50 → £100) and the annual confirmation statement (£34 → £50).

Why fees are set this way

Companies House operates on a cost-recovery basis — its fees are intended to cover the cost of the services it runs, not to generate profit. Its remit has grown under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, which gave it new responsibilities including identity verification and stronger checks on the register. The fee changes help fund that work.

What it means for you

The process of forming a company hasn't changed — only the statutory fee. Budget £100 for digital incorporation and £50 a year for the confirmation statement, and remember these are paid to Companies House and are separate from any agent or service fee. For the full cost picture, see how much it costs to form a UK company in 2026, and for the wider 2026 changes, forming a UK company in 2026.

Frequently asked questions

When did Companies House fees increase?

The latest change took effect on 1 February 2026. Digital incorporation went from £50 to £100, and the digital confirmation statement from £34 to £50.

Why does Companies House charge more now?

Companies House fees are set to recover the cost of the services it provides. The increases help fund its work, including the expanded role it has taken on under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, such as identity verification.

Does the fee increase change what I have to do?

No — the steps to form a company and file a confirmation statement are the same. Only the statutory fees changed. Separately, identity verification is now required for directors and PSCs.

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