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.

ACSP Authorised Agent: AP006589

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Companies House identity verification by video call

Verify your identity for Companies House on a short video call — fully remote, from anywhere in the world, with a real person. Ideal for overseas directors and anyone whose online check failed. No notarised documents needed. £49, and you get your Companies House personal code.

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ACSP authorised (AP006589)

Fully remote — worldwide

Checked by a real person

No notarised documents

TaxStats ID is a private service, not a government website. We are a Companies House Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP AP006589) and charge a service fee to verify your identity and file on your behalf. You are not required to use us — you can verify directly with Companies House for free via GOV.UK.

Online check didn't work?

Couldn't verify online, or based overseas? A video call gets you through.

The free GOV.UK One Login digital check needs a biometric passport or UK driving licence, and it can't explain why it failed. As a Companies House–authorised agent (ACSP AP006589) we verify you by video call — a real person, a wider range of documents, and no notarised copies.

Overseas director or PSC

Verify by video call from anywhere in the world — you don’t need to be in the UK.

No biometric (chip) passport

The app-based check needs a chip it can scan. On a video call we check your passport directly.

The app wouldn’t read your document

A real person handles your check — not an app that keeps rejecting you.

Companies House check failed with no reason

The ACSP route is a fresh, separate verification. We complete it and confirm it to Companies House.

Book your video verification — £49 Read our verification troubleshooting guide →

How video verification works

Your Companies House personal code in three simple steps

Book a video appointment

Choose a time that suits you and pay securely (£49). We send you a secure sign-in link — no app to install.

Join the call, show your documents

On a 15–20 minute call, our agent checks your passport and proof of address live. No notarised copies needed.

Get your personal code

We confirm your verification to Companies House, and they email your unique Personal Code directly to you.

What you need for your video call

Every document must be in date. Expired documents are automatically rejected — please check the expiry date before you book.

1. Photo ID

Your passport (any country)
Must be valid / in date

2. Proof of address

Bank/building society statement
Utility bill (not mobile phone)
Council tax statement
Dated within the last 3 months

No notarised or certified copies. You show your original documents to our agent live on the call — nothing needs to be posted or notarised.

View full list of accepted documents →

Video verification pricing

One simple fee — the price you see is the price you pay.

Best for overseas & failed checks

Video Call Verification

£49

Live video appointment with a real person

15–20 minute appointment
Fully remote — verify from anywhere
Passport + one proof of address
No notarised documents
We submit to Companies House for you

Book Video Call — £49

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Have a biometric (chip) passport and prefer a faster self-serve check? Our digital verification is £39.

More ways to verify — whoever you are

However you'd prefer to do it, you're welcome here.

Prefer not to do it online?

We'll send your verification link by email & text, invoice you, and walk you through it.

Request an invoice or get help

Forming a new company?

You're welcome to verify before your company exists — no company number needed. We attach it later.

Verify before incorporation

Video verification FAQ

Yes. We verify directors and PSCs worldwide by video call. The whole process is remote — you join a short video appointment from anywhere, show your documents to our agent, and we complete your Companies House identity verification. You do not need to be in the UK and you do not need UK-issued documents.

Yes, this is exactly what the video route is for. If the free GOV.UK One Login digital check could not verify you — a common outcome for overseas directors, non-biometric passports, or documents the app cannot read — Companies House advises using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). As an ACSP (AP006589) we can verify you by video call with a real person. Your earlier unsuccessful attempt does not affect this; the ACSP route is a separate, fresh verification.

No. Certified or notarised copies are not required for our video verification. On the call you simply hold up your original documents and our agent verifies them live. This saves you the time and cost of getting documents notarised.

Two documents: one photo ID (your passport) and one proof of your current address dated within the last 3 months — for example a bank or building society statement, utility bill (not a mobile-phone bill), or council tax statement. Every document must be in date.

The appointment itself takes about 15-20 minutes. You book a time that suits you, join the call, and our agent guides you through it. There is no app to fight with and no waiting for an automated check to pass.

Yes. Once we have verified you, we confirm your successful identity verification to Companies House as your ACSP. Companies House then issues your unique Personal Code and emails it directly to you. You use that code for all your directorships and PSC roles.

Video call verification is £49 — the price you see is the price you pay, with no hidden fees. Our fee is for our own verification service and is separate from any statutory fees Companies House sets; Companies House does not charge a fee for identity verification itself.

You do not email your passport. After you book, we send you a secure sign-in link to complete your appointment, and you show your documents to our agent on the video call. Everything is handled securely and your data is processed under UK GDPR.

No. TaxStats is an independent firm authorised by Companies House to verify identities — an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), registration AP006589. We help you deal with Companies House; we are not Companies House itself.

No. Once your identity is verified you receive one Personal Code, and it works across every company where you are a director or Person with Significant Control. You only verify once.

Ready to verify by video call?

Wherever you are in the world, book a short call and get your Companies House personal code.

Book Video Verification — £49

Questions? We're here to help

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