Companies House Verification for Chinese & HK Passports
Verify for Companies House with a Chinese or Hong Kong passport: name order, pinyin, English names and verifying remotely without UK records.
Directors and PSCs of UK companies who hold a Chinese mainland or Hong Kong passport must verify their identity with Companies House. You can do it remotely from China, Hong Kong or anywhere else. The issues that catch people out are almost always about how the name is written and about UK-based checks, not about the passport itself.
This overview is also available in 简体中文.
Name Order and Pinyin
Chinese passports print the surname first, in pinyin, with the given name separately: ZHANG for the surname and SAN for the given name, for example. The Companies House register often shows the name in Western order (San Zhang), sometimes with an English name added (David Zhang San) or with the given name split or joined differently.
Each of those is a legitimate variation, but an automated check can treat it as a mismatch. On the ACSP route, a compliance officer compares your passport with the register and records any English or alternative names you use, so the difference is explained rather than rejected.
Why UK-Based Checks Cause Problems
The GOV.UK route relies on a smartphone app and, often, on security questions drawn from UK financial records. Directors living in China or Hong Kong usually have no UK credit history, and some find the app does not work reliably for them.
The ACSP route does not depend on UK records. Your application is reviewed by a person and submitted through a registered ACSP.
Why Chinese and Hong Kong Directors Choose CorpAssist
Identity verification is a legal requirement, so getting it right the first time matters. Here is what CorpAssist handles for you:
- Chinese mainland, HKSAR and BN(O) passports accepted
- Name order, pinyin spelling and English names handled by a compliance officer
- No UK credit history, UK bank account or UK phone number needed
- Addresses in China and Hong Kong accepted
- No app or face scan: complete the form on any computer in about 10 minutes
- From £29.99 + VAT, with Fast Track in 1 business day
Hong Kong Residents
A valid HKSAR passport, BN(O) passport or Hong Kong identity card can be used as photo ID. Hong Kong addresses are accepted; use a recent bank statement or utility bill showing your name and residential address as proof of address.
What You Need
- Any valid, government-issued photo ID, such as your passport, driving licence or national identity card
- One proof of address dated within the last 3 months, such as a bank statement or utility bill
- Your residential addresses for the last three years, with no gaps (overseas addresses are fine)
- Your full name, date of birth and any previous names
The full list is in our verification checklist. For everything else about verifying from abroad, read the overseas director verification guide, and check your date with the deadline calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I verify for Companies House with a Chinese passport?
Yes. Through an ACSP such as CorpAssist, a valid Chinese passport is accepted. You fill in an online form, upload your passport and a recent proof of address, and a compliance officer reviews everything before submission.
My name is in a different order on the register. What should I do?
Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport and list the version used on the register as an alternative name. A compliance officer will check the difference and contact you if anything needs confirming.
Do I need a UK address or bank account?
No. Overseas addresses are accepted and no UK financial records are needed on the ACSP route.
Is the application form in Chinese?
The form is in English and takes about 10 minutes. Our Chinese-language overview page explains the requirements before you start.
CorpAssist is an independent commercial service and is not Companies House or GOV.UK. We facilitate identity verification through a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider. Source: GOV.UK identity verification guidance.
Last verified: October 2026
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