What documents are accepted for Director ID verification?

Emirates ID, Saudi national ID (هوية وطنية), Kuwaiti Civil ID, Qatari ID, Bahraini CPR, and biometric passports from all Arab countries. No UK documents required.

Can I verify my identity remotely without visiting the UK?

Yes. Fileminder is ACSP-authorised and verifies directors fully remotely — a short video check alongside your national ID. The whole process takes under 15 minutes.

What is the deadline for Director ID verification?

There is no single date for every existing director. Identity verification became mandatory on 18 November 2025, and existing directors provide their personal code with the company's next confirmation statement during the transition. Check the register for each role's date.

Director ID Verification

What is Director ID Verification?

Identity verification became a legal requirement on 18 November 2025. New directors verify before appointment, while existing directors provide their personal code with the company's next confirmation statement during the transition.

Who needs it?

Every director of a UK limited company or LLP, regardless of where they live. Even directors of dormant companies must verify. If you are based in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, or any other Arab country, you are still required to verify.

Deadline and consequences

A company cannot file its confirmation statement unless all directors are verified. Continuing to act after the role-specific due date without completing the requirements may be an offence and can lead to penalties, prosecution or referral for disqualification in appropriate cases.

What does ACSP-authorised mean?

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) is an agent specifically licensed by Companies House to conduct identity verification on behalf of directors. Not every accountant or formation agent can do this — the provider must hold specific authorisation. Fileminder holds ACSP authorisation from Companies House, giving us the legal authority to conduct verification and submit results directly to the register.

Accepted ID documents for Arab directors

✓🇦🇪 Emirates ID — contains biometric chip, speeds up verification

✓🇸🇦 Saudi national ID (Huwiyya Wataniyya)

✓🇰🇼 Kuwait civil ID card

✓🇶🇦 Qatar smart ID card

✓🇧🇭 Bahrain smart card

✓🇴🇲 Oman civil ID card

✓🇪🇬 Egyptian passport or national ID

✓🇯🇴 Jordanian passport or national ID

✓🇱🇧 Lebanese passport

✓🇲🇦 Moroccan passport or national ID

✓Passport from any other Arab country

* All documents must be valid. No notarisation or translation required.

How it works

1
Message us on WhatsApp — we send you a secure, personalised verification link
2
Photograph your ID document and record a short biometric video selfie from your phone
3
We submit your verification to Companies House — usually complete within 24 hours

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to travel to the UK to verify?: No. The entire process is completed remotely from your smartphone. No UK visit, no notarisation, no translation of documents.
How long does the process take?: Typically under 15 minutes for the document upload and video steps. Companies House confirms completion within 24 hours in most cases.
What happens if I miss my verification due date?: The company cannot file its confirmation statement unless all directors are verified. Continuing to act after the due date may be an offence and can lead to enforcement action.
Can I use my Emirates ID instead of a passport?: Possibly through the ACSP route. We confirm each document against the current Companies House evidence standard before accepting it. A current biometric passport from any country can also be used directly through GOV.UK One Login.
Does each director need to verify separately?: Yes. Verification is personal to each individual director. If your company has three directors, each one must complete their own separate verification.
What about dormant companies?: Directors of dormant companies are also required to verify their identity. The company being dormant does not exempt you from this requirement.

Disclaimer

General educational guidance only — not legal, tax, accounting, immigration, investment or financial advice. We don't guarantee the information is complete, current or suitable for your situation. Always check official sources (GOV.UK, Companies House, HMRC, the relevant professional body) and speak to a qualified professional before acting. Last reviewed: June 2026.