There are exactly two legitimate ways to complete Companies House identity verification — one free and direct, one paid and handled for you. Neither is inherently better; the right choice depends on your documents, your location, and how many people you need to verify at once.
The Free Route: GOV.UK One Login
This is the direct path, and it costs nothing. GOV.UK One Login chooses the appropriate verification method based on your circumstances — the One Login app with photo ID, online security questions using bank or building-society details plus your National Insurance number, or a participating Post Office after entering eligible photo ID details online. Many checks complete within minutes, though timing varies by route and whether further review is needed. On success, Companies House issues you a personal code — a unique reference tied to you as an individual — which you then provide for each company and role where it applies. Save that code securely; you will need it every time you connect a new company role to your verified identity.
The Paid Route: An Authorised Corporate Service Provider
An ACSP is a business registered with Companies House and supervised for anti-money-laundering purposes, permitted to verify identity on your behalf — accountants, solicitors, formation agents, and chartered secretaries commonly act in this role. It tends to make sense if you do not hold identification the direct GOV.UK route accepts, you are an overseas director without straightforward access to the online process, your company has a complex ownership structure with several PSCs to verify, or you would simply rather have a professional handle it as part of an existing relationship. The ACSP checks your evidence and submits the verification, but Companies House emails you the resulting code directly — the ACSP does not issue it themselves.
What Using an Agent Does Not Remove From You
Paying someone to handle verification does not transfer away your personal legal responsibility. You remain the person who must be verified, and you remain responsible for making sure your code is actually connected to every relevant role and that deadlines are met — an ACSP is a convenience for the verification step itself, not a substitute for staying on top of your own compliance afterward.
Vetting an Agent Before You Pay
Confirm they are genuinely registered with Companies House as an ACSP and supervised for anti-money-laundering purposes — do not assume any accountant or agent is automatically authorised. Ask directly who their AML supervisor is, exactly what the fee includes, how they will confirm verification is complete, and whether they will also connect your personal code to each relevant company or leave that step to you. And remember the free route exists: be cautious of any service marketing itself as urgently necessary or mandatory, since GOV.UK One Login is free for anyone with standard UK-recognised identification.
Where to Go From Here
The Companies House ID Verification Compliance Blueprint includes full step-by-step walkthroughs for both routes, an ACSP selection checklist, and guidance for overseas directors navigating the process from outside the UK.
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This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Companies House processes can change — confirm current requirements directly on GOV.UK.