ID Verification Help
How to complete your ID and address verification - a step by step guide
We use Onfido to complete your identity verification, as required by law. Onfido is a safe and secure system used by some of the world's largest companies. This guide walks you through the entire process from start to finish.
Overview:
Locate your verification email
Check your inbox for an email from us with a subject line that looks like:
1st Formations — Identity Verification Needed for Order #XXXXX [COMPANY NAME] LTD
You may also get a link via SMS if supported.
Inside the email, click the link that says:
"Click here to verify…" followed by your name.
Please make sure the name, date of birth and residential displayed in the email are fully accurate. These will need to match your documentation to avoid verification failure.
💡 Tip: If you're on a desktop or laptop, you'll be shown a QR code. Scan this with your phone to continue the process on your mobile device.
Start the verification
The link will open a personalised Onfido verification screen. You don't normally need to install anything.
Tap the "Start verification" button at the bottom of the screen to begin.
Choose your ID document
You'll be asked to select the country that issued your ID, and then choose which document you'll use to verify yourself. A passport is recommended.
Click here to view the accepted documents.
⚠️ Important: If you are not based in the UK, you will usually only be able to use a passport. Your document must be in date (not expired) and must be signed.
⚠️ Important: It is critical that you upload a photo of the document you selected here. If they do not match, your verification will fail.
If your country or document type is not listed, please contact our support team.
Photograph your ID document
Passport
You will need to photograph the photo page — the page showing your photo and personal details. Onfido will show you guidance on how the photo should look before you begin. Review this carefully to avoid common mistakes that can delay verification.
- Place your passport flat on a surface.
- Align it within the box outline shown on screen, ensuring all four corners are visible.
- Tap "Capture" when you're ready.
Driving licence
You will need to photograph both the front and the back of the card. Onfido will guide you through each photo in turn.
After taking the photo, you'll be asked to review it:
- Check it is clear and complete — the entire required section must be visible.
- If it is not sharp enough, tap "Redo" and retake it.
- Once you're happy, tap "Upload".
Record your video selfie
Next, you'll need to record a short video of yourself. Both your face and background will be captured.
- Tap "Start recording", then "Continue".
- If prompted for camera access, tap "Allow".
- Align your face within the square frame on screen.
- Once aligned, Onfido will automatically guide you through the next steps — slowly turn your head to one side, back to the centre, and then to the other side.
Onfido will automatically complete this section once you're done.
Proof of address (if required)
For most people, the video selfie completes the verification. However, in some cases Onfido may also ask you to submit a proof of address.
💡 Tip: This happens if Onfido cannot verify your details automatically. Don't worry — it's a straightforward extra step.
Your proof of address document must:
- Be addressed to you at your current home address.
- Show the issuing organisation's logo.
- Include your full name and current address.
- Show an issue date, ideally within the last 3 months.
Accepted documents include:
- Bank or building society statement (must show a list of transactions — not just an account opening letter)
- Utility bill
- Council tax bill
To upload your proof of address:
- Select your country and then choose the document type.
- Tap "Continue" and then "Upload".
- You can take a new photo directly or upload from your photo library. If you have a PDF version, you can upload that instead — it must be the full document.
- Once you're happy with the image, tap "Use photo" and then "Upload".
⚠️ Important: Screenshots and photos of a document displayed on a screen cannot be accepted. Only photos or PDFs of the original physical document are permitted.
Verification complete
Once you've submitted everything, your verification is complete. You'll see a "Thank you" screen - you can now close the page.
Our team will be notified of your submission.
Personal Verification Code Submission
If your identity has been successfully verified by 1st Formations, your details will be submitted to Companies House to obtain your Personal Verification Code (PVC).
Companies House will email your PVC directly to your personal email address, and we will provide guidance on how to upload this to your application.
This can be done by logging into your Client Portal and selecting the verification tile on your dashboard, or uploading it to your Order Tracker.
Already verified with Companies House?
If you already have a Personal Verification Code, a new one won't be issued. Please provide us with your existing code if you haven't already done so.
What happens next?
Once your code is submitted, your company details will be reviewed before being submitted to Companies House. If we need any additional information, our review team will notify you.
Lastly, you will receive an email confirming your company has been submitted. The standard timeframe for company incorporation is approximately 1 working day. However, this timeframe can vary depending on the current workload at Companies House.
We will send you an email shortly after your company is successfully formed. This email will include your incorporation documents as an attachment.
If there's a problem
In the unlikely event there's an issue with your verification, we'll contact you as soon as possible. In most cases, we'll simply ask you to run through the check again.