Companies House · Personal Code · Arab founders

Get your Companies House Personal Code — clear steps for non-UK founders

Directors and PSCs must prove identity to Companies House. You get an 11-character Personal Code. Outside the UK: use Authenticator (not UK SMS), then the One Login app for passport and face — then send the code to Eteform.

In one line: Prove identity on GOV.UK → get Personal Code → send it to Eteform. Outside the UK always prefer Authenticator app over UK SMS.

Watch the practical walkthrough + follow the written steps

The video shows the real screens end-to-end. Below it: the same journey written for Arab / non-UK founders — including Authenticator instead of UK SMS.

Step 1 — Account
Install GOV.UK One Login when needed. Create One Login with an email only you use. Confirm the 6-digit email code, then set a password.
Step 2 — Security
When asked how to get security codes: if you are outside the UK choose Authenticator app (not UK text message). Link Google Authenticator with the on-screen QR.
Step 3 — Start verify
On a computer open Verify your identity, sign in, and choose to prove identity with your phone (best for passport).
Step 4 — Passport + face
Open the biometric passport photo page in the white frame → close passport and scan the chip with the phone touching it → face scan in the oval.
Step 5 — Finish + code
Return to the computer tab, enter home address if asked, copy the Personal Code (three blocks), save it, and send it to Eteform.

Verify your identity Create your GOV.UK One Login WhatsApp

Why this code matters

Companies House introduced identity verification to reduce fraud. After you verify, you receive a Personal Code linked to you, not to the company name. Your agent (Eteform) needs it to file on your behalf — Confirmation Statement and other identity-gated filings.

Official detail: Companies House personal codes. Do it before your next filing deadline — earlier is safer.

Illustration of a Companies House Personal Code

Critical if you are outside the UK

At security-code setup GOV.UK offers UK SMS or Authenticator. Official guidance: most Eteform clients should pick Authenticator.

Text message (UK number) — avoid

Needs a working +44 mobile. Not for Egypt, Gulf, or most non-UK founders.

Authenticator app — recommended

Install Google Authenticator → + → Scan a QR code → enter the 6 digits on GOV.UK. Keep the app forever for future logins.

Android iPhone

GOV.UK One Login app — passport, chip, face

Different from Authenticator. Official guide: proving identity with the One Login app. Android 10+ · iPhone 8+ / iOS 16.7+. Start from the website — open the app when asked.

Android

Google Play — GOV.UK One Login

iPhone

App Store — GOV.UK One Login

Biometric passport (chip symbol on the cover) works best for most non-UK clients.
Photo page inside the white frame until it scans — hold steady.
Close passport face-up; phone flat on the NFC/chip area until tick / photo preview.
Face in the oval: good light, look ahead, stay still.
Return to the open computer browser → Continue → address → Personal Code.

Send the Personal Code to Eteform

Find it again later: Companies House sign-in → Manage account (often emailed after 8 July 2026 too).
Paste it on the partners step of /order, upload a screenshot in order documents, or WhatsApp with full name / order number.
Or skip self-verify: upload passport + selfie and let Eteform complete identity checks as an ACSP.

Open formation order WhatsApp What is ACSP?Companies House sign in

FAQ

What is a Personal Code?

An 11-character code (often shown in three blocks) issued after you prove your identity to Companies House. It belongs to you as a director or PSC — not the company. Without it, filings that need a verified identity (e.g. Confirmation Statement) can be blocked.

I live outside the UK — Text message or Authenticator?

Choose Authenticator app and install Google Authenticator. Text message needs a UK (+44) mobile number and is unsuitable for most Eteform clients. Scan the QR inside Authenticator, not with the normal camera app.

Why are there two apps?

Google Authenticator = login security codes only. GOV.UK One Login app = passport photo, chip scan, and face. Both are used in the full journey — do not mix them up.

How should I choose my email?

Use a personal email only you control. Each director/PSC needs their own email and code. If you direct several UK companies, keep the same email for the same person.

What do I do after I get the code?

Save it under Companies House → Manage account, then paste it on the Eteform partners step, upload a screenshot, or WhatsApp it with your name and order number.

Must I self-verify with Eteform?

No. Two paths: (1) verify yourself on GOV.UK and send the Personal Code, or (2) complete checks with us as an ACSP after passport + selfie. Pick what fits your documents and timeline.

More in FAQ.

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UK company formation — quick answers

How does UK company formation work? Steps and timeline

Forming a UK Limited (Ltd) company at Companies House requires no travel, no UK residency, and no minimum share capital. You choose an available company name, appoint at least one director and shareholder (they can be the same person), provide a UK registered office address, and describe your activity with official SIC codes. Once submitted, the Certificate of Incorporation and your company number are usually issued within 24–48 working hours, with the memorandum, articles of association, and share register delivered digitally.

As an ACSP agent authorised by Companies House, we verify founder identity to UK Companies Act standards and file directly through official channels, with full Arabic and English support before and after formation. Read the formation guide, start from the order form, or see what ACSP means.

How much does it cost to form a UK company?

UK Ltd formation service fees start from £226 across six packages, with the £100 Companies House government fee shown as a separate line. Higher tiers add a London registered office, director privacy, VAT/PAYE, or Apostille depending on the package — see live totals on pricing.

There are no hidden fees: every package lists exactly what it includes, and annual renewals (registered office from £50/year, CS01 confirmation statement) are disclosed upfront. Compare packages on the packages page, estimate your first-year total with the cost calculator, or read the full formation cost guide.

After formation: taxes and annual filings

After incorporation your company must register for Corporation Tax with HMRC and obtain its UTR within three months of trading — we handle this from £75. If your taxable turnover crosses the registration threshold, or you need a VAT number for suppliers and payment gateways, we register VAT from £75, and set up PAYE payroll if you employ yourself or staff.

Every year the company files a confirmation statement (CS01) and annual accounts with Companies House — even dormant companies must file dormant accounts (from £60). We track your deadlines and remind you before they fall due, and our non-resident Corporation Tax guide answers the most common tax questions.

Registered office and London virtual office

Every UK company needs a registered office in the UK where official mail from Companies House and HMRC is received. We provide a London registered office from £50/year with official mail scanned and forwarded digitally, plus a director service address from £35 so your home address never appears on the public register.

For a broader commercial presence, the virtual office from £100/year adds a trading address for client and bank mail, while the premium virtual office includes a formal lease agreement commonly accepted for business bank account opening and payment gateway verification.

Business banking and payment gateways for non-residents

A UK company unlocks global payment gateways such as Stripe, PayPal, and Wise even when those services are unavailable in your home country. After formation we help you open a business bank account without travelling through digital providers like Wise and Revolut Business, and guide you through the documents banks request: certificate of incorporation, proof of address, and activity description.

For e-commerce founders and freelancers, see UK company for Stripe, Amazon & e-commerce, and freelancers & consultants — each page covers the real requirements and costs for that specific activity.

UK formation only — from wherever you live

Our focus is remote UK Ltd formation through an authorised ACSP, with London address and compliance add-ons when needed. Start from the UK services hub, browse all packages, or compare packages.

We serve founders across the Gulf, Levant, North Africa, and the diaspora — with Arabic and English support over WhatsApp and email. Origin pages such as Egypt, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia explain forming a UK company from your country, not forming a local company there.

Which countries can you form a UK company from?

We serve Arab founders from nearly every Arab country: from the Gulf we receive orders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman; from the Levant and Iraq from Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Iraq; and from North Africa from Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, and Sudan — plus Yemen and the diaspora across Europe, the Americas, and Australia.

Each country page covers what applies specifically to its citizens: accepted documents, available payment methods, bank transfer notes, and the most requested activities. A valid passport or national ID is normally enough to complete identity verification, and no prior UK bank account or UK visit is required at any step.

Ready-made packages by business activity

Instead of one generic package, we maintain 40+ activity pages covering the real requirements and costs of each field: SaaS & apps, Shopify stores, YouTube & content creators, digital marketing agencies, gold & jewellery trading, study-abroad consulting, tourism & travel, mobile app publishing, and white-label cosmetics among many others.

Every activity page lists suitable SIC codes, whether the activity needs additional UK licences, and which banks and payment gateways accept it most readily — with one transparent package price. Browse activity packages or use the full package comparison.

Why do Arab founders choose Eteform?

Eteform.com Ltd is a UK company registered since 2015 and authorised as an ACSP agent by Companies House — meaning we are officially permitted to verify founder identity and file incorporations directly, unlike unauthorised intermediaries. Support is fully bilingual (Arabic and English) over WhatsApp and email, prices are published in GBP with no hidden fees, and our genuine reviews are public on Trustpilot.

We stay with you after formation too: deadline reminders for the confirmation statement and accounts, address renewals, plus accounting, tax compliance, and trademark registration services. Learn more on why Eteform and about us, or start now from the order form — we reply the same day during working hours.

Certified translation and document legalisation

Company documents often need certified translation or official legalisation for banks, embassies, and government bodies in your home country. We provide certified translation from £19 per page between Arabic and English, accepted by UK official bodies, and apostille and Arab embassy legalisation in London for certificates of incorporation, powers of attorney, and commercial documents.

Planning to travel or invest? See UK business visas and the visa medical exam service. Still have a question? Browse the FAQ knowledge base or contact us — we reply during working hours in Arabic and English. Search engines and AI assistants can also read our structured service summary in llms.txt · sitemap.xml.