With the world increasingly going digital, verifying your identity for official purposes has become the norm — especially with business compliance and regulatory filings. Whether you’re setting up a UK company, a company director, or addressing corporate matters, identity verification is now mandatory under the evolving UK company law.
But what if you’re currently based abroad? Many prospective business owners and directors are asking whether physical presence in the UK is mandatory for completing this process. Let’s unpack what the rules say, who they apply to, and how to navigate identity verification in the UK from overseas.
Understanding Identity Verification in the UK
Confirmation of identity in the UK is just one aspect of a comprehensive strategy to increase corporate transparency and prevent economic crime. It ensures that the people who hold senior roles in UK firms — directors, people with significant control (PSCs), and members of LLPs — are whom they claim to be.
The process generally involves providing proof of identity (i.e., driving licence or passport) and selfie or biometric verification. Data is stored either through a government portal or an approved agent.
The UK government has streamlined its systems so that the process of identity verification is no longer tied to your physical location. What this does mean is that you don’t necessarily need to be present in the UK in order to do so — provided you can submit the relevant documents and complete the necessary checks.
Verifying Your Identity Remotely
Remote verification is a major benefit for foreign nationals involved in UK enterprises. Foreigners can obtain their identity verification from safe online means or through either Companies House’s online service or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
An ACSP, such as accountant or formation agent, can verify your identity on your behalf. They will usually request scanned documents and may verify your identity with a short video call or through biometric apps. This is lawful and accepted under the new Companies House regime.
Furthermore, these agents often provide step-by-step guidance to ensure that nothing is missed — especially if you are unfamiliar with UK documentation standards or legal jargon.
Who Needs to Verify Their Identity?
The rules for identity verification apply to a wide range of individuals involved in UK entities, regardless of their country of residence. These include:
- Directors of UK companies
- Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)
- Members of Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
- People who file documents for a company
If you are one of those, then you will need to carry out identity verification — but not necessarily from within the UK. Where you are located is less important than how good and trustworthy the verification process actually is.
Common Challenges for Non-Residents
While you may not need to disclose your physical presence in the UK, non-residents may face some operational problems. For instance, the verification system may reject certain types of ID, especially if they are not issued by a government that supports biometric data sharing.
Some of the other problems that may be faced include:
- Low quality scans or images leading to delay in verification
- Inconsistencies in names across documents
- Language problems in documents not in English
- Time zones that create delays in communication with ACSPs or Companies House
In order to avoid this, it is advisable that you make use of a professional service that specialises in cross-border identification verification. This can help guarantee that all documentation is accepted on the first try and that you are keeping up to date with the relevant deadlines.
Advantages of Using an ACSP
Using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider can simplify the entire identity verification process. They are qualified by Companies House to carry out identity verification and can file verification for you.
They can be particularly useful for individuals overseas, as ACSPs can:
- Provide clear advice on what documentation is required
- Carry out biometric or video-based verification remotely
- Assist with company formations and filings alongside verification
- Ensure full compliance with the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act
Working with an effective ACSP reduces the chance of error and saves time — both of which are of prime importance for global stakeholders hoping to maintain their UK business in high gear.
Conclusion
You don’t need to be in the UK to get identity verification completed — but you do need to do it the correct way. With the utilisation of online facilities and accredited agents, UK identity verification is entirely accessible for those outside the country.
Whether you are forming a new company, becoming a director, or amending your own company records, remote verification allows you to meet your needs without running behind a plane to catch. As long as you have the right documents ready, partner with the right agent, you’ll be UK legislative compliant no matter where you are on the globe.