Identity Verification for Non-Residents Explained: A 2026 Guide to Companies House Requirements

Ryan Patrick

• 10 min read
Identity Verification for Non-Residents Explained: A 2026 Guide to Companies House Requirements

Yes, non-residents can complete Companies House identity verification. You do not generally need to be a UK citizen, UK resident or UK visa holder to verify your identity for a UK company role. For international founders, however, the process is now more important than ever.

Under reforms introduced through the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, identity verification became a legal requirement for company directors and people with significant control (PSCs) from 18 November 2025. The requirement is being phased in over a 12-month transition period, meaning existing directors and PSCs are being brought into the system according to their relevant deadlines. This matters to anyone living outside the UK who wants to:

  • Form a UK limited company
  • Become a UK company director
  • Own a significant shareholding
  • Act as a PSC
  • Manage a UK business from overseas

The key point is simple: being a non-resident does not remove the identity verification requirement. It simply means you need to complete the process using acceptable identity documents and the available verification route for your circumstances.

What Is Identity Verification for Non-Residents?

Identity verification is the process of confirming that the individual connected to a company is genuinely the person they claim to be. For Companies House purposes, this is separate from simply providing your name and address during company formation. A person may need to verify their identity if they are:

  • A company director
  • A PSC
  • The equivalent of a director in certain entities
  • A director of an overseas company registered in the UK
  • An authorised corporate service provider (ACSP)

Companies House says that identity verification is generally completed once, after which the individual receives a unique Companies House personal code. That code is then used to connect the verified identity to the person's relevant company roles. For an international founder, this creates an important distinction:

You may be able to form and own a UK company from abroad, but you still need to prove who you are.

Why Has Companies House Introduced Identity Verification?

The purpose is broader than checking whether a passport is genuine. The reforms are intended to improve the reliability of the UK company register and make it more difficult to use companies with:

  • Fake identities
  • Stolen identities
  • False director appointments
  • Hidden ownership structures
  • Fraudulent information

Companies House describes identity verification as part of wider reforms designed to combat economic crime and improve trust in the information held on the register. For legitimate international entrepreneurs, this may feel like an additional administrative step. In practice, it is becoming part of the standard process for setting up and maintaining a UK company. The wider direction of travel is clear: the UK is moving from a relatively low-friction company registration system towards a more verified corporate register.

Can a Non-Resident Verify Their Identity for a UK Company?

Yes. The official Companies House identity verification service accepts a biometric passport from any country as one of the forms of photo ID that can be used through the GOV.UK One Login route. Other accepted documents include a UK photo driving licence and certain UK residence documents. This is particularly relevant for founders in countries such as:

  • Canada
  • Australia
  • Nigeria
  • India
  • Singapore
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • South Africa
  • The United States
  • European countries
  • Countries across Asia, Africa and the Middle East

A non-UK passport is not automatically a barrier.

Example: a founder living in Singapore

Suppose Lina lives in Singapore and wants to incorporate a UK private limited company. She may be able to:

  • Apply to become the company's direct or
  • Use her biometric passport for identity verification
  • Receive a Companies House personal code
  • Connect that verification to her director role
  • Complete the relevant company registration requirements

She does not automatically need to relocate to the UK.

What Documents Are Usually Needed?

The exact requirements depend on the verification route and the person's circumstances. For direct online verification through GOV.UK One Login, Companies House guidance states that individuals can use a biometric passport from any country, among other eligible photo identification documents. You should generally expect to provide information that allows your identity to be matched accurately, including details such as:

  • Your legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Identity document information
  • Relevant personal details
  • Information needed to connect your verification to your Companies House role

The most common problem is not necessarily the nationality of the document. It is often a mismatch between the information supplied and the person's official identity document. For example, issues may arise where:

  • The name is entered differently from the passport
  • A middle name is omitted
  • The passport has expired
  • The document is not biometric
  • The image is unclear
  • The information does not match the Companies House record

A practical rule is to use your legal identity information consistently across the verification process.

How Can a Non-Resident Complete the Verification Process?

There are two main routes for directors and PSCs.

Option 1: Verify Directly with Companies House

Individuals can verify their identity using the Companies House service connected to GOV.UK One Login. This is the direct route and is generally available to people who have an eligible identity document. After successful verification, the individual receives a Companies House personal code. That code is used to connect the verified identity to the relevant company role.

Option 2: Use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider

A person can also use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, commonly referred to as an ACSP. ACSPs may include eligible professionals such as:

  • Accountants
  • Solicitors
  • Company formation agents

An ACSP can verify a client's identity under the Companies House framework and submit the relevant verification information. For an overseas founder, this route may be useful where:

  • The direct online process is difficult
  • The founder wants assistance with the incorporation process
  • The founder prefers to work through a professional intermediary
  • Additional identity or compliance checks are required

However, an ACSP's identity verification process is not necessarily identical to the standard Companies House online process. The provider must follow the applicable Companies House identity verification standard.

What Is a Companies House Personal Code?

A Companies House personal code is a unique identifier issued after an individual successfully verifies their identity. It is used to connect the verified person to their role on the Companies House register. For example, one person may be:

  • Director of Company A
  • Director of Company B
  • PSC of Company C

The same verified identity can be connected to the relevant roles using the personal code. The code is not the same as:

  • A company number
  • A passport number
  • A tax reference
  • A UK National Insurance number
  • A visa number

It is a Companies House identifier linked to the individual's verified identity. If you are both a director and a PSC, you may have different obligations for connecting your verification to those roles. The timing of the requirement depends on your role and the relevant Companies House deadline.

When Does a Non-Resident Director Need to Verify?

For new company incorporations and new director appointments, identity verification requirements apply as part of the new regime introduced from 18 November 2025.

For existing directors, the verification requirement is being phased in. Directors generally need to provide their Companies House personal code when the company files its next confirmation statement during the transition period. Companies House states that a confirmation statement cannot be filed unless all relevant directors have complied with the verification requirements.

This means an overseas director should not assume that an older company is exempt simply because it was incorporated before the new rules came into effect. The relevant deadline depends on the company's filing timetable and the director's circumstances.

What About Non-Resident PSCs?

A Person with Significant Control, or PSC, is someone who ultimately owns or controls a company. A PSC may, for example:

  • Own more than 25% of the shares
  • Control more than 25% of the voting rights
  • Have the power to appoint or remove a majority of directors
  • Exercise significant influence or control in other qualifying circumstances

A non-resident who owns 100% of a UK company will generally be a PSC. PSC identity verification is a separate compliance requirement from simply appearing on the company's shareholder register.

Once verified, a PSC must provide their personal code and confirmation of identity to Companies House within the relevant period. Companies House states that PSCs have a 14-day period for providing this information, with the timing depending on their circumstances and role. Carlos lives in Brazil and owns all the shares in a UK company. He is:

  • The sole shareholder
  • The sole director
  • The PSC

He may need to complete identity verification for his director role and separately connect his verified identity to his PSC role according to the relevant Companies House requirements. One identity verification process can generate the personal code used to connect the person to multiple roles, but the relevant role-specific filing or confirmation obligations still need to be completed.

Does Identity Verification Give a Non-Resident a UK Visa?

No. This is an important distinction. Identity verification confirms who you are for Companies House purposes. It does not provide immigration permission. Successfully verifying your identity does not automatically give you the right to:

  • Live in the UK
  • Work in the UK
  • Operate a business physically from the UK
  • Stay in the UK indefinitely

Similarly, forming a UK company does not automatically grant a visa. An international entrepreneur can potentially own and manage a UK company from another country, subject to the relevant legal, tax and immigration rules that apply to their situation.

Is Identity Verification the Same as KYC?

No. The terms are related, but they are not identical.

Companies House identity verification

This focuses on establishing that the individual connected to a company is who they claim to be.

KYC and AML checks

Banks, payment providers, accountants and company formation providers may carry out broader Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering checks. These may involve:

  • Identity documents
  • Proof of address
  • Source of funds
  • Source of wealth
  • Business activity
  • Expected transaction patterns
  • Ownership structures
  • Sanctions screening
  • Politically exposed person checks

A founder may successfully complete Companies House identity verification and still face additional checks when applying for a business bank account. This is one of the most important practical points for international founders. Companies House verification is not a universal compliance passport. A bank or financial institution may still ask for further information.

Why Do Non-Residents Sometimes Experience Verification Problems?

Overseas founders may encounter additional practical challenges.

1. Non-biometric passports

A passport may be valid for international travel but not suitable for the specific digital verification process.

2. Name differences

Names may appear differently across:

  • Passports
  • Company records
  • Bank documents
  • National identity documents

For example, a person may use a middle name on one document but not another.

3. Address history

Some international founders move frequently or live between countries. This can create difficulties where a provider requests additional address information.

4. Technology issues

Digital identity checks can fail because of:

  • Poor lighting
  • Camera quality
  • Unsupported devices
  • Browser issues
  • Poor internet connectivity

5. Complex ownership

A straightforward individual shareholder is usually easier to understand than a multi-layer corporate structure spanning several countries. For more complex cases, an ACSP or professional adviser may be able to help explain the required process.

What Happens If You Do Not Verify Your Identity?

Non-compliance can have legal and practical consequences. Companies House states that individuals who continue to act as directors or PSCs after the relevant deadline without complying may commit an offence. Financial penalties or fines may also apply, and a note may be displayed against the person's name on the public register.

For companies, failure to comply can also create practical problems with filings. This is why international founders should not treat identity verification as an optional administrative detail. If you are a director or PSC of a UK company, check your specific verification deadline rather than relying on general assumptions about the transition period.

How Should International Founders Prepare?

A simple preparation checklist can prevent avoidable delays.

Before verification

Check that:

  • Your passport is valid
  • Your passport is biometric if using the relevant online route
  • Your legal name is consistent
  • Your date of birth is accurate
  • Your company role is correctly recorded
  • Your contact details are up to date

Before incorporating a company

Decide:

  • Who will be the director?
  • Who will own the shares?
  • Who will be the PSC?
  • Will the structure include other companies?
  • Who will manage the business?

Before opening a bank account

Prepare for separate checks involving:

  • Your residential address
  • Your business activity
  • Your expected income
  • Your source of funds
  • Your customers and suppliers

This preparation is particularly useful for founders who live in countries outside the UK and plan to operate their business remotely.

What Does Identity Verification Mean for Global Founders in 2026?

The practical lesson is that UK company formation is becoming more identity-driven. For many years, international founders focused primarily on:

In 2026, identity verification is now a central part of the process. That is not necessarily a disadvantage. For legitimate founders, stronger verification can improve trust in the company register and make it harder for fraudulent companies to operate under false identities. The main change is that international entrepreneurs need to plan for compliance from the beginning rather than treating verification as something to address only if a problem arises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a non-resident verify their identity for Companies House?

Yes. Non-residents can verify their identity. A biometric passport from any country is among the documents that may be used through the relevant Companies House online verification route.

Do I need a UK passport to complete identity verification?

No. A UK passport is not generally required. Companies House guidance states that a biometric passport from any country may be used for the direct online verification process.

Can I verify my identity from outside the UK?

Yes. The fact that you live abroad does not automatically prevent you from completing the identity verification process.

Do all non-resident company directors need to verify their identity?

Directors within the scope of the Companies House requirements need to verify their identity. The timing depends on whether the director is new or existing and the relevant transition deadline.

Do non-resident shareholders need to verify their identity?

A shareholder who is also a PSC will generally have identity verification obligations. A person who owns more than 25% of a company will commonly meet the PSC control threshold, although the exact analysis depends on the ownership and control structure.

Can an authorised agent verify my identity?

Yes. An Authorised Corporate Service Provider, or ACSP, can verify client identities under the Companies House framework. ACSPs include eligible professionals such as accountants, solicitors and company formation agents.

Is Companies House identity verification the same as bank KYC?

No. Banks and financial institutions may carry out separate and broader KYC and AML checks, even after a person has completed Companies House identity verification.

Does identity verification give me permission to live or work in the UK?

No. Identity verification is a Companies House compliance process. It does not provide a UK visa, residence permission or automatic right to work in the UK.

How long does Companies House identity verification last?

In most cases, individuals only need to verify their identity once unless Companies House instructs them to verify again. The resulting personal code can then be used to connect the verified identity to relevant roles.

Conclusion

Identity verification for non-residents is now a central part of UK company compliance. Living outside the UK does not generally prevent you from becoming a director, PSC or international founder connected to a UK company. But it does not exempt you from proving your identity. For most overseas entrepreneurs, the process can be approached through either:

  • Direct verification using the Companies House online service and an eligible identity document, or
  • Verification through an authorised corporate service provider

The most important steps are to use accurate information, keep your identity details consistent, understand your role in the company and meet the relevant verification deadlines. For international founders, the broader lesson is straightforward: UK company formation remains accessible to people living abroad, but corporate transparency and identity verification are now built into the process. Planning for those requirements early can make incorporation, ongoing filings and future banking or compliance processes considerably smoother.