If you’re a company director, a person with significant control (PSC), or someone filing information with Companies House, you may have been asked for a Companies House personal code (or ‘Personal Verification Code’) and not been sure what it is, where it came from, or how to find it again.
This is especially common for first-time directors and for anyone dealing with the new identity verification requirements that came into effect on 18 November 2025. The personal code is a new part of how Companies House links verified individuals to company records, and it’s easy to confuse it with other codes used for filings or tax.
This guide explains what the Companies House personal code is, why you need it, how to get one, where to find it, and what to do if you’ve lost it.
Key takeaways
- A Companies House personal code proves your identity when you act as a director or a PSC of a UK company.
- From 18 November 2025, identity verification became mandatory for directors and PSCs.
- You can get your code by verifying through GOV.UK One Login or via an authorised agent.
- If you lose your personal code, it can usually be retrieved through your Companies House account or the agent who verified you.
What is a Companies House personal code?
A Companies House personal code, also known as a ‘Personal Verification Code’ (or PVC), is a unique code issued to an individual after they’ve verified their individual identity. In other words, the code identifies a person, not a company.
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- 13 changes to UK company law – from 4 March 2024
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Once issued, the personal code allows Companies House to link your verified identity to the roles you hold in UK companies – specifically, as a director or a person with significant control (PSC). This is done by you submitting your personal code to every company you’re appointed to. You use the same personal code even if you are involved in more than one company.
Why do you need a personal code from Companies House?
Companies House introduced personal codes as part of a broader initiative to strengthen identity verification and reduce fraud.
From 18 November 2025, identity verification became mandatory for directors and PSCs, with a transition period for existing companies.
Personal codes are key to how identity verification is put into practice. Your personal code is how Companies House confirms that verification has taken place. Without one:
- You cannot be appointed as a director
- You are committing an offence if you’re an active PSC
Where can you find your Companies House personal code?
Where you find your personal code depends on how you verified your identity.
If you verified using GOV.UK One Login
If you completed identity verification yourself through GOV.UK One Login:
- Go to Companies House
- Sign in using the One Login you used during your verification
- Open ‘Manage account’
- Your personal code is shown there
If you verified in person at a Post Office, the verification result is usually emailed to you, and the code then appears in your Companies House account once verification is complete.
If you verified through an ACSP (authorised agent)
If your identity was verified by an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), such as an accountant, solicitor, or formation agent like 1st Formations, Companies House sends your personal code to the email address provided by the ACSP.
The most common reason people ‘lose’ their code is that it was sent to an unexpected or shared email address.
How can you get a Companies House personal code?
If you don’t yet have a personal code, you can get one in one of two ways.
Option 1: Verify your identity yourself (free)
You can verify directly through GOV.UK One Login. This is free, and you can do this online. Depending on your circumstances, verification may involve:
- Using the GOV.UK One Login app
- Answering security questions
- Verifying your identity in person at a Post Office
Once verification is complete, Companies House issues your personal code and links it to your account.
Option 2: Verify through an ACSP
Alternatively, an ACSP can verify your identity on your behalf. This route is often used when an accountant or formation agent is already handling company filings for you.
The agent completes the verification checks, submits the information to Companies House, and your personal code is then issued. The code is usually sent to the email address supplied during that process.
What to do if you’ve lost your personal code
A lost Companies House personal code is usually recoverable. Start by identifying how you originally obtained it.
- If you verified via GOV.UK One Login, sign back into your Companies House account and check the Manage account section.
- If an agent verified you, contact them to confirm which email address was used and whether the code was sent there.
If you still can’t retrieve it, Companies House can issue a replacement in some circumstances, particularly if there’s a concern that the code has been compromised or shared.
Who needs a Companies House personal code?
You will need a Companies House personal code if you are:
- A director of a UK limited company
- A person with significant control (PSC)
- Being appointed as a director or being notified as a new person with significant control
In the future, you will also need one if you are submitting filings to Companies House on behalf of a company.
When should you use your personal code?
You need to submit your personal code to Companies House when:
- You are being appointed as a director (as part of the appointment process)
- You have become a PSC (you must submit your personal code when your details are submitted to Companies House, or within 14 days of that notification).
Don’t confuse the personal code with other Companies House codes
You get quite a few codes when you set up a UK company, and they’re often mixed up because they sound similar. The key difference is what each code identifies.
- Companies House personal code or ‘Personal Verification Code’ – identifies you as an individual (for example, a director or PSC). It’s used for identity verification and can be linked to multiple companies.
- Company authentication code – identifies a specific company and authorises online filings for that company. It’s a six-character code and can be shared with accountants or agents.
- Company Registration Number (CRN) – identifies the company itself on the public register. It’s issued at incorporation and never changes, but it doesn’t grant filing access.
- HMRC reference numbers (such as UTRs) – identify tax records, not Companies House filings or identity checks. These are used when dealing with HMRC, not for company verification.
The personal code is the only one that relates to who you are, rather than which company you’re dealing with.
Staying compliant and avoiding confusion
The Companies House personal code is now part of everyday compliance for directors and PSCs. Once you understand what it’s for and where to find it, it becomes just another reference you keep on hand, like a company number or authentication code.
If you’re setting up a company or updating your details and would rather not navigate these requirements on your own, we can help. 1st Formations supports directors through company registration, identity verification, and ongoing compliance, so you can be confident everything is done correctly from the outset.
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