Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, on what statutory authority Companies House is able to exclude non-digital in-writing applications for director ID verification.

The statutory authority for Companies House to exclude non-digital applications for identity verification is provided by sections 1068 and 1117 of the Companies Act 2006, which enable the registrar to impose requirements as to the form and manner of the delivery of applications via the registrar’s rules. Individuals can verify their identity through Companies House routes or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. The verification process has been designed to be as straightforward and accessible as possible and where identity cannot be verified online, users may be directed to complete the process in person at a participating Post Office.