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

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

1. Always double check that your personal details on your Gov.UK One login match your ID document exactly before starting
2. Ensure your Gov.UK One login uses your own email address, not a shared one
3. Keep your accepted ID documents accessible and up to date
4. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I verify using a non-UK passport? 

Yes. Biometric passports from many countries are accepted, as long as they meet the machine-readable zone (MRZ) requirements. Check the current accepted documents list on GOV.UK.

Q2. What if my name has changed since my ID was issued?

You may need to provide supporting documents such as a marriage certificate. An ACSP can help navigate these situations more easily than the online system.

Q3. Will my filings be blocked if I don't verify? 

Yes. From November 2025, unverified officers will cause confirmation statement filings to be rejected by Companies House.

Q4. Is there a deadline for PSCs to verify? 

PSCs have their own due dates, which can be checked on the Companies House register. Due dates vary by company and registration date.