If you run a UK company, there is a good chance you now need a Companies House personal code. This single code proves your identity and connects you to every company you are involved with.
In this guide you will learn what the code is, who needs one, how to get yours, and exactly when you must use it.
What Is a Companies House Personal Code?
A Companies House personal code is a unique 11 character code given to you once you have verified your identity. It identifies you as a person, not your company. You keep the same code even if you are a director or owner of several different businesses.
The code was introduced by Companies House as part of major reforms to UK company law. Its job is simple. It links your verified identity to the roles you hold on the public register, such as a director or a person with significant control.
You will sometimes see it called a Personal Verification Code, or PVC. It means the same thing. Think of it as a digital signature that follows you everywhere, rather than a password tied to one company.
Why Companies House Introduced Personal Codes
For years, almost anyone could set up a company in the UK with very few checks. This made it easy for criminals to hide behind false names. The new rules aim to close that gap for good.
Personal codes sit at the heart of a wider identity verification system. This system was brought in under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. The aim is to make the register more accurate and to reduce fraud across the board.
In short, the code helps prove that the people who run, own, or control a company are exactly who they say they are. More than a million people verified in the early months of the rollout, so you are far from alone. The change protects honest business owners and builds trust in the register.
Who Needs a Companies House Personal Code?
Identity verification is no longer optional. From 18 November 2025, it became mandatory for most people connected to a UK company. If you fall into one of the groups below, you will need to verify your identity and get your personal code.
Directors
Every company director must verify their identity. This applies whether you run a brand new company or one that has traded for years. If you are thinking of starting out, our guide on how to set up a limited company in the UK walks you through the wider process step by step.
People With Significant Control (PSCs)
A PSC is someone who owns or controls a large part of a company. Usually this means holding more than 25% of the shares or voting rights. PSCs must verify their identity and provide their personal code too.
Both a Director and a PSC
Some people are both a director and a PSC of the same company. If that is you, you must provide your personal code separately for each role. You give it once as a director, then again as a PSC, even though it is the same code.
LLP Members and Equivalent Officers
The rules reach further than directors and PSCs alone. Members of limited liability partnerships and other equivalent officers must verify as well. If you hold any senior role on the register, assume you will need a code and check the guidance to be sure.
How to Get Your Companies House Personal Code
You cannot simply request a code out of the blue. You earn it by proving who you are. There are two main routes, and both are refreshingly straightforward.
Verify Through GOV.UK One Login
The free route uses GOV.UK One Login. This is a separate login from your old Government Gateway account, so try not to mix the two up. If you need a refresher on the older system, see our guide on how to create an HMRC Government Gateway account.
You can prove your identity in three ways: through the GOV.UK One Login app, by answering security questions online, or in person at a Post Office. The method you use depends on your device and the photo ID you hold. Most people finish in 10 to 20 minutes using a passport or driving licence. Once you pass the check, Companies House issues your personal code.
Verify Through an Authorised Agent
You can also verify through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, often called an authorised agent. These are regulated firms such as accountants, solicitors, and company formation agents. They carry out the same identity check on Companies House’s behalf and pass the code to you.
This route suits busy directors who would rather hand the task to a professional. If you are forming a new company, our company formation team can help you handle the setup and point you in the right direction.
Where to Find Your Personal Code
Where your code lives depends on how you’ve verified.
If you used GOV.UK One Login, sign in to your Companies House account and open the Manage account section. You must sign in with the same email address you used to verify. If you verified at a Post Office, you will get an email with your result, usually within a day, and your code then appears in that same Manage account area.
If you used an authorised agent, they will send your code to the email address they hold for you. It is wise to save the code to your Companies House account so you can find it again easily. The official Companies House guidance on personal codes sets out each step in plain detail.
When Do You Need to Use Your Personal Code?
Your code is not something you use every day. You provide it at a few key moments in your company’s life. The main ones are:
- Â When you file your company’s confirmation statement
- Â When you are appointed as a new director
- When you register a brand new company
- When you become a person with significant control
The most common trigger is the confirmation statement. If you are unsure what that is, our explainer on what a confirmation statement is covers the basics. From 18 November 2025, you must provide your code in your next confirmation statement, and our confirmation statement service can take that job off your plate entirely.
The dates matter here. Companies House began a 12-month transition period on 18 November 2025. The hard deadline for existing directors and PSCs is 18 November 2026. New directors must verify before they are appointed. For the full timeline, check the GOV.UK guidance on when you need to verify your identity.
How the Personal Code Differs From Other Company Codes
It is easy to mix up the personal code with the other codes you deal with as a business owner. They all sound similar, yet they do very different jobs. Here is a quick comparison.
| Code | What it does |
| Companies House personal code | Proves your identity as a director or PSC and links you to your roles on the register |
| Company authentication code | A 6 character code used to file documents for one specific company online |
| Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) | A 10 digit number HMRC uses to track your tax records |
| Government Gateway or GOV.UK One Login | Sign in details that let you access government services online |
The key thing to remember is this. Your personal code is about you as an individual. The others are tied either to a single company or to your tax records. Keeping them clearly labelled in your own records will save you a real headache later.
What Happens If You Do Not Verify?
Ignoring the rules is risky. Without a valid personal code, you cannot file your confirmation statement or update key company records. Your filings will simply be rejected.
The consequences do not stop there. Failing to verify can lead to financial penalties. It can also be treated as a criminal offence. In some cases, Companies House may flag your name on the public register.
The message is clear. Verify early, save your code somewhere safe, and you will avoid the stress of a last-minute scramble before a deadline.
Lost Your Personal Code? Here Is What to Do
Losing your code is not the disaster it might first feel like. The good news is that you do not need to verify your identity all over again.
If you saved your code to your Companies House account, just sign in and open Manage account to view it. If you verified through an authorised agent, contact them and ask them to resend it, or check that the email address they used was correct. As long as your identity is verified, your code can always be retrieved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Companies House personal code the same as a Government Gateway ID?
No, they are different. Your Government Gateway ID and GOV.UK One Login sign you in to online services. Your personal code proves your verified identity and links you to your company roles.
How many personal codes do I need if I run several companies?
Just one. The code is personal to you, not to each company. You verify once and use the same code for every directorship or PSC role you hold.
How long does identity verification take?
Most people finish in 10 to 20 minutes through GOV.UK One Login. If you verify at a Post Office instead, you usually receive your result by email within one working day.
Is the Companies House personal code free?
Verifying through GOV.UK One Login is free. If you choose an authorised agent such as an accountant, they may charge a fee for handling the process for you.
Can my accountant get the code for me?
An accountant who is a registered authorised agent can verify your identity and pass your code to you. The code still belongs to you, and you provide it for your own filings.
The Bottom Line
The Companies House personal code is now a basic part of running a UK company. Get verified, store your code somewhere safe, and provide it on time for your filings. Do that, and identity verification becomes a one off task rather than a recurring worry.
Want a hand staying compliant? eAccounts is a team of UK chartered accountants who handle everything from company formation to confirmation statements. Get a free quote today, or book a free consultation to talk it through with your dedicated accountant.
