Agent assurance codes for completing verification checks on overseas entities
How to request and use agent assurance codes if you are a UK-regulated agent carrying out verification checks on an overseas entity, and its beneficial owners and managing officers.
What an agent assurance code is
A UK-regulated agent must carry out verification checks on an overseas entity when the entity is:
- being registered to the Register of Overseas Entities
- updating its information as part of its overseas entity update statement
The UK-regulated agent needs to provide an agent assurance code to confirm that is has authorisation to carry out these checks.
If the UK-regulated agent is an organisation, you only need to request one code for the whole organisation. This code can then be used for every overseas entity that the agent carries out verification checks for. You should not share this code with anyone outside your organisation.
Who needs a code
UK-regulated agents that are completing the verification checks need a code. They must be based in the UK and supervised under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017. They can be individuals or corporate entities, such as:
- credit institutions
- financial institutions
- auditors, insolvency practitioners, accountants and tax advisers
- legal professionals
- trust or company service providers
- estate agents and letting agents
The agent that carries out the verification checks must not be related to, or a close associate of, the individual.
How to get a code
You’ll need to complete the ‘Request an agent assurance code’ document and email it to agentcode@companieshouse.gov.uk.
Put ‘Agent assurance code’ in the subject line. This will help us to process your request more quickly.
A Companies House examiner will check the document. If the request is accepted, we will email your code. We may email you if there are any issues with the information you’ve provided.
What to do if you lose your code or need a new one
Contact Companies House to let us know and we’ll cancel your current code. Then you’ll need to request a new one.
How to use the code
If you’re carrying out verification checks and submitting the filing for the overseas entity, you’ll need to enter the code when you file.
You’ll also need to enter your agent details when filing for the entity. These details must match the details you provided to request your agent assurance code. When you enter the agent’s name, it must be an exact match, with no spelling errors.
How to use the code if you are only carrying out verification checks
If someone else is submitting the filing for the overseas entity, such as someone who works for the entity, they will be asked to enter your details as part of their application.
You’ll also need to complete and sign a statement that confirms the verification checks have been carried out. You’ll need to provide the agent assurance code as part of this statement.
The agent details you provided to request your agent assurance code must match the details provided as part of the overseas entity’s filing and the verification statement. The agent’s name must be an exact match, with no spelling errors.
After the overseas entity has submitted its filing, you’ll have 14 days to email this statement to agentcode@companieshouse.gov.uk.
Put ‘Overseas entity verification checks statement’ in the subject line. This will help us to process the filing more quickly.
We’ll check the statement and the submitted filing. If there are any issues with the information provided, we may email you. If the filing is accepted, the details that the overseas entity has provided about you will be shown on the public register.
Updates to this page
Published 25 July 2022Last updated 13 September 2023 + show all updates
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Guidance updated to include filing an overseas entity update statement.
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Launch of the Register an overseas entity service - Overseas entity verification checks statement added (OE VF01 form).
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First published.