Companies House Verification Glossary

Plain-English definitions of the terms you will meet when verifying your identity for Companies House, from ACSP to Personal Code.

ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider): A firm registered with Companies House and supervised for anti-money laundering purposes that can verify identities for Companies House and file on behalf of companies. Verifying through an ACSP is an alternative to GOV.UK One Login and gives you the same Personal Code. CorpAssist facilitates verification through a registered ACSP partner. What is an ACSP?
AML supervisor: The body that supervises a firm for anti-money laundering compliance, such as HMRC or a professional body like the ICAEW or the Law Society. A firm must be AML-supervised to register as an ACSP.
Companies House: The UK government registrar of companies and LLPs. It keeps the public register of companies, directors and PSCs and, since the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, verifies the identity of the people on it.
Confirmation statement: An annual filing that confirms the information Companies House holds about a company is correct. Existing directors must provide their Personal Code by the time the company files its next confirmation statement during the transition period. Confirmation statement deadline
Designated member (LLP): A member of a Limited Liability Partnership with extra legal responsibilities, such as signing the accounts. LLP members must verify their identity in the same way as company directors. LLP member verification
Director: A person appointed to manage a company. Every director of a UK company, including unpaid, dormant-company and charity trustee directors, must verify their identity with Companies House. Director verification requirements
ECCTA 2023: The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The law that reformed Companies House, gave it new powers to query and remove information, and made identity verification mandatory for directors, PSCs and people who file. ECCTA 2023 explained
GOV.UK One Login: The government sign-in and identity service. It is the direct route to verify for Companies House, using an app with a chip-enabled document and NFC smartphone, UK bank-based security questions, or a Post Office visit. ACSP vs GOV.UK One Login
Identity verification: The check that a person is who they say they are, by matching them to a genuine identity document. Under ECCTA 2023, it is a legal requirement for company directors, PSCs, LLP members and anyone filing with Companies House. How to verify your identity
NFC (Near Field Communication): The contactless technology a smartphone uses to read the chip in a biometric passport or photocard licence. The GOV.UK One Login app needs it. The ACSP route does not. Verifying without a smartphone
Personal Code: The unique 11-character code you receive once your identity is verified. You use it to link your verified identity to each company role you hold. One code covers all your appointments, for life. Personal Code guide
PSC (Person with Significant Control): An individual who owns or controls a company, usually by holding more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, or by being able to appoint or remove most directors. PSCs must verify within the first 14 days of their birth month during the transition period. PSC verification explained
RLE (Relevant Legal Entity): A company that owns or controls another company and is registered in place of individual PSCs. An RLE must name a relevant officer whose identity has been verified.
SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle): A limited company set up to hold a specific asset, most often buy-to-let property. Its directors and PSCs must verify like those of any other company. Property company verification
Transition period: The 12 months from 18 November 2025 to 17 November 2026 during which existing directors and PSCs must verify, timed to their confirmation statement or birth month. New directors have had to verify before appointment since 18 November 2025. The November 2026 deadline

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