The deadline for Companies House ID verification is fast-approaching. Vanner Perez Notaries has already completed the identification process for numerous individuals and we noticed that many clients come to us with the same questions. In this handy guide, we will address some of the most frequently asked ones:
1. Do I have to verify my identity for every directorship?
No, the process is ‘one and done’. Once you have completed the procedure either with Companies House directly or with an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) such as Vanner Perez, you will be assigned a personal code. This code will be valid for any current and future appointment at Companies House, regardless of whether you are listed as director, LLP member or person with significant control (PSC).
2. When will the requirement apply to me / my company?
The requirement will come into force on November 18th. From then on, any company needs to have the personal ID verification codes of its directors in order to be able to submit its confirmation statement.
For PSC, the code will be required 14 days from the beginning of their month of birth. As an example, if a PSC was born on December 21st, their 14-day period will begin on December 1st.
Given the above, each company will have its own individual deadline. We would, however, strongly suggest to complete the process ahead of November 18th.
3. What forms of ID are not accepted by Companies House? (And why Vanner Perez can still help you)
The list of documents accepted for direct verification with Companies House is short – biometric passports, UK driving licences, UK residence and frontier worker documents. Anyone trying to use a machine-readable (but not biometric) passport, foreign driving licence or national ID card will not be able to use their service. This means many people from India, Russia, Egypt and many other countries will struggle.
Vanner Perez Notaries has its own bespoke app for identity verification that can process a much broader range of identity documents, including machine-readable passports.
4. Does your ID verification app work the same way as Companies House’s verification website?
No. Our app is able to authenticate a broader range of forms of ID (see above) and is much more user-friendly. Additionally, we are able to verify foreign addresses, can help coordinate the process for multiple people at once and provide any guidance required on short notice
5. Do I have to use your app?
No, we can also verify your identity in person or via video call. For more information, please take a look at our dedicated webpage.
6. How long does the process take?
Using our app or having a video call both takes less than five minutes of your directors’ time.
Once we have received all the required information, we can complete the procedure with Companies House within one business day.
7. What proof of address is acceptable?
This depends slightly on the approach for identity verification chosen and on your country of residence. In general, utility bills and bank statements are always the best options. The latter can be redacted if preferred.
8. How long do you need to keep copies of my ID and proof of address?
We are legally required to keep these on file for 7 years. Our file management system is highly secure and actively managed by our IT experts.
9. What do I do after I get my personal code?
You will need to use your personal code for filings after the deadline as outlined under question 2.
In the meantime, it is also possible to link the code to a Companies House account, assuming it is registered under the individual’s email address.
10. What info is shared by Companies House?
The identity verification requirement is not directly linked to any enhanced disclosure plan. Details on what information Companies House shares on the public record can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/your-personal-information-on-the-public-record-at-companies-house#GDPR
For any other questions and to get assistance with your ID verification, please get in touch with Vanner Perez under 0203 668 6626 or via info@vpnotaries.co.uk.