# CompanyIncorporation-v3-8 - "Invalid CompaniesHousePersonalCode format" Error

**URL:** <https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/companyincorporation-v3-8-invalid-companieshousepersonalcode-format-error/1852>\
**Category:** Incorporation\
**Created:** [November 18, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/companyincorporation-v3-8-invalid-companieshousepersonalcode-format-error/1852 "2025-11-18T19:37:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![michel](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@michel](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/u/michel)\
**Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/companyincorporation-v3-8-invalid-companieshousepersonalcode-format-error/1852/1 "2025-11-18T19:37:00Z")

</div>

Hello,

I’m testing company incorporation using the new `CompanyIncorporation-v3-8` schema, but I’m encountering the following error related to the Director Identity Verification Code: :

```auto
<Error>
  <RaisedBy>CompanyIncorporation</RaisedBy>
  <Number>9999</Number>
  <Type>fatal</Type>
  <Text>Invalid CompaniesHousePersonalCode format</Text>
  <Location></Location>
</Error>

```

**Test setup :**

- Endpoint: `https://xmlgw.companieshouse.gov.uk/v1-0/xmlgw/Gateway` (Since we are past 18 November, I assume we no longer need to use the `sandpit-staging` URL.)
- xml message used in the filing:

```auto
<VerificationDetails>
  <CompaniesHousePersonalCode>ee123456789</CompaniesHousePersonalCode>
  <VerificationStatements>
    <VerificationStatementForIndividual>INDIVIDUAL_VERIFIED</VerificationStatementForIndividual>
  </VerificationStatements>
</VerificationDetails>

```

The `CompaniesHousePersonalCode` above is a **dummy value** used for testing.

**Questions**

1. **Is the dummy value the cause of the error?**  
It appears the field now enforces stricter validation than the schema suggests.
2. **Is there a test value we can use that will always pass validation in the test environment?**  
The schema (`baseTypes-v3-7.xsd`) only states a min/max length of 11 characters:

```auto
      <xs:element name="CompaniesHousePersonalCode">
        <xs:simpleType>
          <xs:annotation>
            <xs:documentation>The Personal Verification Code of The Individual</xs:documentation>
          </xs:annotation>
          <xs:restriction base="xs:string">
            <xs:minLength value="11" />
            <xs:maxLength value="11" />
            <xs:whiteSpace value="collapse" />
          </xs:restriction>
        </xs:simpleType>
      </xs:element>

```

Any clarification on the expected test format—or whether the gateway requires actual valid CH-issued personal codes even in test—would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![snicholas](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/user_avatar/xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/snicholas/32/81_2.png) [@snicholas](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/u/snicholas)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 7:56am UTC](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/companyincorporation-v3-8-invalid-companieshousepersonalcode-format-error/1852/2 "2025-11-19T07:56:57Z")

</div>

Michel,

Sorry, we became aware yesterday that this was an issue at our end, and as stated below, are working to resolve.

SDN

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![michel](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@michel](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/u/michel)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2025, 9:57pm UTC](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/companyincorporation-v3-8-invalid-companieshousepersonalcode-format-error/1852/3 "2025-11-25T21:57:08Z")

</div>

Hello Simon,

Any update on the resolution of this? I’m still receiving the same error `Invalid CompaniesHousePersonalCode format`. I’ve also tried other codes like these without success:

- ABCDE123456 =\> 5 letters and 6 numbers
- ABCDEF12345 =\> 6 letters and 5 numbers

Thank you

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![snicholas](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/user_avatar/xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/snicholas/32/81_2.png) [@snicholas](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/u/snicholas)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2025, 7:50am UTC](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/companyincorporation-v3-8-invalid-companieshousepersonalcode-format-error/1852/4 "2025-11-26T07:50:55Z")

</div>

Hello,

Can you try the following code in test please?  
CWMPS832223

SDN

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![michel](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@michel](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/u/michel)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2025, 1:59pm UTC](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/companyincorporation-v3-8-invalid-companieshousepersonalcode-format-error/1852/5 "2025-11-26T13:59:59Z")

</div>

Awesome, it works with that value in test.  
Thank you!