1. If my Companies House ID verification failed on GOV.UK, can I just try again?

No- if GOV.UK One Login has rejected you once, that route is closed. You won’t be able to retry online or verify at a Post Office either. Your only remaining option is to use an approved ACSP.

2. Will a failed verification affect my ability to file with Companies House?

Yes. Unverified directors and PSCs cannot file confirmation statements, make changes to company records, or be appointed as directors of other companies. Getting verified quickly avoids any disruption to your business.

3. Can an ACSP verify me even if my document is unusual or expired?

In many cases, yes. ACSPs typically accept a wider range of documents than the GOV.UK route. If you’re unsure whether your ID qualifies, contact directorverifications.com before starting and they’ll advise you.

4. Do PSCs and directors need to go through verification separately?

You only verify your identity once and receive a single Companies House verification personal code. However, that code must be submitted separately for each role you hold - once as a director via the confirmation statement, and once as a PSC through the separate PSC service.

5. How quickly can I get my Companies House verification code after using directorverifications.com?

Standard turnaround is 24–48 hours on weekdays. Choose the fast-track same-day option (ordered before 4pm on a weekday) and your Companies House ID code can land in your inbox the same day.

Companies House ID Verification Failed? 7 Reasons It Happened and How to Fix It

If your Companies House ID verification failed, it’s usually down to one of seven common issues - mismatched personal details, an unsupported or expired document, poor photo quality, an old device, a shared email address, a previous failed attempt on GOV.UK One Login, or a system glitch. Most of these are fixable. And if the GOV.UK route has rejected you once, an approved ACSP like directorverifications.com can still get you verified - no app needed.

Since mandatory ID verification kicked in on 18 November 2025, thousands of UK company directors and PSCs have run into the same wall. You carve out 20 minutes, work through the GOV.UK One Login process, and then - rejected. Frustrating doesn’t cover it.The good news? A failed Companies House ID verification isn't the end. Here are the 7 most common reasons it happens and, more importantly, exactly what to do about each one.

Reason 1: Your Name or Date of Birth Doesn’t Match

This is the single most common reason for a Companies House verification rejected

outcome. If the name or date of birth on your Companies House record doesn't exactly match your ID document - even something as small as a missing middle name or a hyphen - the system will flag it and refuse to proceed.

Fix it: Before you do anything else, log into the Companies House register and check your details against your ID document. If something doesn’t match, update your Companies House record first and wait for the change to process before trying again.

Reason 2: You Used an Expired or Unsupported Document

Not all ID documents are accepted for Companies House ID verification. The GOV.UK route only recognises a specific list, including biometric passports, UK photocard driving licences, Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), and a small number of EU/EEA identity cards. If you tried with something outside that list - a utility bill, an older non-biometric passport, or a birth certificate - it will be rejected automatically.

Fix it: Check the accepted documents list on GOV.UK before you start. If you don't have a supported document, an ACSP like directorverifications.com accepts a wider range of ID, so it’s worth getting in touch.

Reason 3: Poor Photo or Scan Quality

The Companies House ID verification process uses automated biometric scanning. That means image quality really matters. Blurry photos, glare on the document surface, cropped edges, or low lighting can all cause the scan to fail - even if your document is perfectly valid.

Fix it: Use even, natural lighting. Keep the full document within the frame. Avoid shooting near bright windows or lamps. If the first image looks unclear, retake it before submitting. A few extra seconds here can save a lot of frustration.

Reason 4: You are Using an Old or Incompatible Device

The GOV.UK One Login system - which powers the Companies House verification process - works best on modern smartphones with up-to-date cameras and software. Older phones with poor cameras often cause the liveness check or document scan to fail, sometimes with no obvious error message.

Fix it: Switch to a newer device if possible, or update your browser and phone software before trying again. If you don’t have access to a suitable device, using an ACSP removes this problem entirely - no specialist hardware needed.

Reason 5: You’re Using a Shared or Conflicting Email Address

Only one email address can be linked to a GOV.UK One Login. If you’re using a shared company inbox, a PA’s email, or an address that’s already linked to someone else's account,it'll create a conflict that stops the process in its tracks.

Fix it: Use your own personal email address - not a shared one. If you’ve previously used a different email for GOV.UK services, you may need to resolve the account conflict before verification will work.

Reason 6: You've Already Failed Once via GOV.UK One Login

This is the one that catches most people off guard. If the GOV.UK One Login route has already rejected your Companies House ID verification, you cannot try again through that same route. And unlike what many people assume, you also cannot visit a Post Office as a fallback at that point.

Fix it: At this stage, your only available option is to use an ACSP - an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. directorverifications.com is a Companies House-approved ACSP that can verify your identity on your behalf, upload your details directly to the Companies House ACSP portal, and get your Companies House verification code sent straight to your inbox.Standard turnaround is 24–48 hours, or the same day if you need it fast. No app, no queuing,

no second rejection.

Reason 7: A System Glitch on the GOV.UK Side

Sometimes it genuinely is your fault. The GOV.UK system has experienced reported

technical issues since mandatory verification launched, with some users hitting unexplained errors despite having the right documents and details.

Fix it: Try again at a different time of day. If the problem persists after a second attempt, stop retrying - each failed attempt narrows your options on the government route. Using an ACSP is the clean, reliable alternative that sidesteps the GOV.UK system entirely.

What to Do Next

A rejected verification is a setback, not a dead end. If the GOV.UK route hasn't worked for you, directorverifications.com is here to sort it. As a Companies House-approved ACSP, we handle the whole process - biometric document scanning, AI liveness detection, and human review if needed - and your Companies House ID code gets emailed to you directly once it’s done. From £24.99, no app required.

Get verified today from £24.99

1. If my Companies House ID verification failed on GOV.UK, can I just try again?
No- if GOV.UK One Login has rejected you once, that route is closed. You won’t be able to retry online or verify at a Post Office either. Your only remaining option is to use an approved ACSP.
2. Will a failed verification affect my ability to file with Companies House?
Yes. Unverified directors and PSCs cannot file confirmation statements, make changes to company records, or be appointed as directors of other companies. Getting verified quickly avoids any disruption to your business.
3. Can an ACSP verify me even if my document is unusual or expired?
In many cases, yes. ACSPs typically accept a wider range of documents than the GOV.UK route. If you’re unsure whether your ID qualifies, contact directorverifications.com before starting and they’ll advise you.
4. Do PSCs and directors need to go through verification separately?
You only verify your identity once and receive a single Companies House verification personal code. However, that code must be submitted separately for each role you hold - once as a director via the confirmation statement, and once as a PSC through the separate PSC service.
5. How quickly can I get my Companies House verification code after using directorverifications.com?
Standard turnaround is 24–48 hours on weekdays. Choose the fast-track same-day option (ordered before 4pm on a weekday) and your Companies House ID code can land in your inbox the same day.

< Older Post

What to do if you try to verify your ID for Companies House using the Gov.UK One login and it rejects you?

By Tim Rock • April 24, 2026

Struggling with Companies House ID verification? Learn why Gov.UK One Login fails and how to complete your identity verification quickly and easily.

Why Companies House sometimes rejects company director and PSC ID verifications - what to do next

By Tim Rock • April 20, 2026

If you’ve used the usual Gov.UK One login for Companies House to verify your ID and it’s failed, meaning you were rejected, you aren’t alone by any means. Many directors and PSCs (Persons with Significant Control) are running into trouble since mandatory identity checks have now come into effect across the UK. This guide explains why rejections happen and exactly what you need to do. If the Gov.UK One login route has failed to identify you, you cannot use this route again If you’ve used your Gov.UK One login to try to verify your ID and it’s failed, you will not be able to use this route again. Nor will you be able to go to a Post Office for your ID to be verified in person. The only course of action available is for you to use an ACSP (Authorised Corporate Services Provider), usually a firm of accountants, who will perform the ID verification on your behalf and submit your verified details to the Companies House ACSP portal. directorverifications.com is an ACSP that’s authorised by Companies House and HMRC. Why ID verification is now mandatory Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) , Companies House requires all UK company directors, LLP members, Limited Partnership partners and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) to verify their identities. The objective is to improve corporate transparency and reduce economic crime. Common reasons why ID verifications are rejected when using the Gov.UK One login Here are the most frequent reasons why ID verifications fail when using the government’s website: 1. Personal details don't match your ID This is one of the most common issues. If the name or date of birth held by Companies House differs from what appears on your identity document, your verification will fail. Even small discrepancies, like a middle name being missing, can cause a rejection. 2. Unsupported or expired ID document Not all identity documents are accepted. Companies House only recognizes specific types of photo ID, including: A biometric or machine-readable passport (can be up to 6 months expired if cryptographic checks pass) A UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or EU photocard driving license (full or provisional) A biometric identity card from the EU, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein A UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) can be up to 18 months expired A UK Biometric Residence Card (BRC) A UK Frontier Worker Permit If you submitted a document outside this list, it will be rejected automatically. 3. Poor photo or scan quality Blurry images, glare, cropped edges, or low lighting during the scanning process can prevent the system from reading your document accurately. The ID verification process relies on automated checks, so image quality matters significantly. 4. Technical or device issues Some users experience failures due to using older smartphones or incompatible browsers. The Gov.UK One Login system, which powers the verification process, works best on modern smartphones with up-to-date software. 5. Shared email accounts or account conflicts If your WebFiling account and your Companies House account use different email addresses, this can cause access problems. Only one email address can be linked to a Gov.UK One Login. Using a shared email that others also use can create conflicts. 6. Unexplained system errors There are also reported cases of unexplained technical glitches in the Companies House system. Once a glitch occurs, it can prevent users from moving forward without alternative action. What to do before using the Gov.UK One login: step-by-step Step 1: Check that your details match Log in to your Gov.UK One account (if you have one) and compare the name and date of birth on your profile against your ID document. If they don't match, you must update your details first and wait for the change to be processed before trying. Step 2: Ensure you have a supported device Biometric checks work best on a laptops, desktop computers and modern smartphones with up-to-date and working cameras. Avoid using older devices for the ID scanning step. Step 3: Ensure your photo submission is as good as it can be When photographing your ID for the Gov.UK One ID verification portal: Use good, even lighting and avoid brightly lit windows or lamps behind you Keep the entire document in the frame Avoid reflections or glare on the ID surface Hold the document steady to prevent blur Step 4: Login to the Gov.UK One service Visit the official " Verify your identity for Companies House " service. This is the only government/Companies House online route for self ID verification. You'll be guided through the process step by step. Step 5: If you do not want to use the Gov.UK One login, you can try in-person ID verification at the post office You may opt to verify your identity in person at a participating Post Office. This is a useful alternative for those who don't have access to a suitable smartphone or do not want to install the Gov.UK One app on their smartphone that they’ll need to use the government’s ID verification service. Important note: you will still need to use your Gov.UK One login and select Route 3 to use a Post Office to verify your identity. Another important note: if you’ve tried to use the Gov.UK One login on your smartphone to verify your identity and it’s failed to do so, you will not be able to try again, nor will you be able to visit a Post Office to try again. In this scenario your only option is to use an ACSP (Authorised Corporate Services Provider) such as directorverifications.com Step 6: Use an ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider) If you do not want to use the Gov.UK One login route to verify your identity or visit a Post Office, or these routes have failed to verify your identity, you can use an ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider) to verify your identity on your behalf. ACSPs are third-party professional companies registered with Companies House and/or HMRC that are supervised under Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations. They include some firm of solicitors and accountants. A public list of ACSPs is available on GOV.UK . Always confirm that the provider is registered as an ACSP before proceeding. directorverifications.com is a trading name of Finovium Limited. Finovium Limited is an ACSP. What happens after verification? Once your ID verification is successfully completed you will receive a Companies House personal code, sent directly to your email inbox. This code must be used to file your company's annual confirmation statement. If multiple directors are involved, each person must verify separately and share their personal code with whoever files the statement. PSCs who are also directors only need to verify once, but the personal code must be submitted in both capacities, firstly as a director via the confirmation statement, and secondly as a PSC via the separate "Provide identity verification details for a PSC" service. Quick tips to avoid rejection on the Gov.UK One login Always double check that your personal details on your Gov.UK One login match your ID document exactly before starting Ensure your Gov.UK One login uses your own email address, not a shared one Keep your accepted ID documents accessible and up to date Don't leave verification to the last minute before a filing deadline Final words A rejected ID verification after jumping through the hurdles stipulated on the Gov.UK One login is extremely frustrating. The most common causes are mismatched personal details, unsupported documents, photo quality issues or technical glitches. Start by reviewing your details, using a supported device and following the Gov.UK One login process carefully. You don’t have to submit your ID documents using the Gov.UK One login and downloading the government’s app that you’ll need to do to use this route. Instead, you can login into Gov.UK One and opt to take your ID document to a Post Office. If the online route doesn't work and/or rejects you and you don’t want to queue at a Post Office for in-person ID verification, the only alternative route is to use an ACSP such as directorverifications.com Unresolved ID verification issues may block your company's filings and create compliance risks.