Last Updated on December 9, 2025 by Joy Kyalo
Companies House, under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) 2023, has introduced mandatory identity verification checks by November 18, 2025. By this mandatory phase, all new companies, new appointments of directors, and people with significant control (PSCs) must verify their identity with Companies.
Existing companies that have to file their confirmation statements past the mandatory period will also need to verify their identity or use an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to do it on their behalf.
What is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)? This guide will enlighten you on who they are and why they are important in verifying identity in the UK.
Key Takeaways
- ACSPs verify identities for Companies House under new ECCTA rules.
- They improve transparency and help prevent business fraud.
- ACSPs manage company formations and official filings securely.
- They ensure smooth compliance with ID checks and AML/KYC requirements.
What is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)?
Introduced by ECCTA 2023, an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) is a business, an organisation, or a professional (third party) authorised to verify identity or form a company on behalf of business owners. An ACSP can be;
- A UK company formation agent, e.g, BusinAssist
- Accountant
- Solicitor
- Company secretary service provider
- Professional trustees
- Software service providers
- UK Virtual office service providers
ACSPs started registering on March 18th, 2025, with Companies House, making them responsible for helping companies to voluntarily verify their identity from April 8th,2025. The ACSP registration has added another layer of regulatory responsibility in ensuring that there is no fraud within the corporate sector.
Pro Tip: The Smartest Way to Stay Compliant
Working with an ACSP saves you time, reduces filing errors, and keeps your company fully compliant with new UK verification rules. It’s the fastest and safest way to form or manage a UK business – especially for overseas founders.
An ACSP must be covered by the UK Money Laundering Regulations by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). This ensures the regulatory bodies prevent fraud, ensure the accuracy of the public register, and maintain transparency. ACSPs have the responsibility of retaining identity verification records for seven years.
Once an entity is verified as an ACSP, it will receive a digital account and a unique ID, allowing it to verify the identity of its clients. The unique identification number (UIN) helps Companies House confirm that the verification information is from an authorised source.
Why Companies House introduced ACSPs
The ACSP not only constitutes an administrative change but also addresses some critical issues of the UK corporate registry system. These are reasons why Companies House introduced ACSP.
Combat fraud and money laundering:
Before identity verification checks were introduced, fake or misrepresented directors, shell companies, and also company registration misuse to conceal true ownership or to launder money were rampant. Through stricter identity verification, the government hopes it reduce the misuse of the company register.
Increase the transparency of Companies House Data:
The right information regarding the business owner or the person in charge of a company, the directors of the company, etc., is very crucial to Companies House, businesses, lenders, stakeholders, law enforcement, and the public at large. In the case where there is unreliable or fraudulent data, it compromises trust and may put other parties in danger.
Enhance control and supervision of third-party agents:
Before the ACSP rules, several company formations or filing services were outsourced to agents or formation companies of different levels of scrutiny. The ACSP framework standardises the expectations – in terms of identity verification, record keeping, supervision by AML bodies – and provides Companies House with powers to suspend or remove agents who do not meet the standard.
Conform to the UK Anti-Money Laundering responsibilities:
As a member of the international responsibility and domestic legislation requirements (i.e., within EU/UK-AML frameworks), the UK should make its corporate transparency and registry systems as high standards. The ACSP system is a component of that.
The roles of ACSPs in the UK
Conducting identity verification checks
The identity verification checks are mandatory for company directors, people with significant control (PSCs), members of Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), general partners of limited partnerships, and anyone who files on behalf of the company. ACSPs, on behalf of the company, can help with the identity verification checks with Companies House.
ACSPs help Companies House achieve its aim to enhance corporate transparency in the UK. This reduces fraudulent or anonymous directors or PSCs from conducting economic crimes within incorporated companies.
Pro Tip: Let ACSPs Handle Compliance for You
ACSPs take care of identity checks, company formation, filings, and AML/KYC requirements – saving you from delays, errors, and rejected submissions. Using an ACSP ensures faster approval, full compliance, and peace of mind when dealing with Companies House.
Form new companies
As part of what they do, ACSPs can continue forming companies on behalf of business owners. With the verification checks, all directors and PSCs must verify their identity for the UK company registration to be approved.
Without verifying identity, the company application will not go through since it is a mandatory step to prove that fictitious individuals cannot be used to register and operate companies.
They can help companies such as;
- Private limited company (Ltd)
- Public limited companies (PLC)
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Filing documents on behalf of the company
This is not a new responsibility for ACSPs since that’s what they have been doing. However, once ACSPs have registered with Companies House, they receive a digital account and a unique ID, allowing them to verify the identity of their clients. Once a company document is filed, the unique identification number (UIN) will help Companies House know that the documents have been submitted by an authorised service provider.
The documents ACSP can help companies file with Companies House include;
- Confirmation Statements
- Application for the company register
- Annual accounts
- Forms for changes to the company’s details
Maintain identity checks records for inspection
ACSPs can maintain identity check records for seven years from the date of verification. This requirement applies to all evidence and information used during the verification process, including unsuccessful attempts.
Ensure AML and KYC checks are completed before filing
Covered by the AML regulations, ACSPs must ensure AML and Know Your Clients (KYC) checks. These checks must be completed through a multi-step process that involves collecting and verifying client information, conducting enhanced due diligence, and reporting the verification to Companies House. They implement reliable identity verification workflows, which can include manual checks, electronic validation, and facial recognition, while maintaining detailed audit trails for regulatory compliance.
What are the benefits of using an ACSP?
Higher levels of transparency and trust:
ACSPs ensure proper, proven information in the Companies House register, which makes investors, customers, suppliers, and partners believe that the company is a legitimate one and people who control it are known. This is important, particularly when raising capital or transacting business internationally.
As authorised by Companies House, ACSPs must ensure that all the information provided by the company is correct and true before it is presented to Companies House and uploaded to the public register.
Less fraud risk to the company:
Correct identity check prevents impersonation (by fake directors, etc.), fraudulent PSC claims, or abuse of company registration by third parties.
ACSPs ensure that all documents they ask companies for are the ones that Companies House needs when verifying company officers.
Seamless processes through ACSPs:
ACSPs can handle the identity verification and filings on behalf of the company. That may ease your administrative burden, particularly when you do not know how to use the direct verification systems of Companies House.
Adhere to the legal requirements:
Through an ACSP, companies are assured to comply with the ECCTA and other related laws. This reduces the legal risk and makes the filings accepted and valid.
Conclusion:
To conclude, what is the Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)? These are businesses, professionals, and organisations that help Companies House with identity verification. ACSP was introduced to help Companies House enhance transparency and deter economic crime. ACSPs help with identity verification, ensure AML checks are completed, UK company formation, filing documents on behalf of the company, and keeping records.
As an ACSP, BusinAssist ensures that it collects relevant information when verifying identity or incorporating a company. With an online process, both UK and non-UK residents can seamlessly verify their identity by uploading all the required documents. In case of additional requirements, our team will reach out to you at the email address.
To verify your identity, reach out to us at info@businassist.com.
FAQs
Q: What does an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) do in the UK?
Ans: Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) are responsible for ensuring that company officers, such as company directors, persons with significant control (PSCs), members of Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), and the company secretary, among others to verify their identity with Companies House. ACSPs also help with company formation, filing company documents, and ensuring they complete AML and KYC.
Q: Why has Companies House introduced Authorised Corporate Service Providers?
Ans: ACSPs were introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) to raise concerns about shell companies, fraud, and illicit financial activities. The need for introducing ACSP was to help Companies House verify identities and prevent misuse of UK companies.
Q: Do I need an ACSP to register or manage my company?
Ans: While you can directly register your UK company with Companies House, an ACSP can be helpful, especially if you are new to the legal requirements or want a seamless process. ACSPs also offer additional services that help with the company management.
Q: Who can become an Authorised Corporate Service Provider?
Ans: Any company, professional, or organisation that is helping companies to register, file documents, or verify identity with Companies House. Those who can register as ACSP include;
- Company formation agents
- Accountants
- Solicitors
- Software service providers
Q: How does an ACSP verify a director’s or shareholder’s identity?
Ans: ACSPs verify directors’ and shareholders’ identities by collecting personal details and required identification documents such as a biometric passport, a UK driving license, or a UK biometric residence permit.
Q: Can overseas entrepreneurs use an ACSP for UK company formation?
Ans: Yes, overseas entrepreneurs can use an ACSP for UK company formation. ACSPs make the process seamless for overseas entrepreneurs to incorporate and verify their identity with Companies House.
Q: Is an ACSP the same as a company formation agent?
Ans: No, they are not the same. However, a company formation agent can be an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). An ACSP includes company formation agents, as well as other professionals like accountants and solicitors, who are authorised to verify identities and file information with the government.
Q: How will using an ACSP help protect against fraud and economic crime?
Ans: Aligning with Companies House’s aim to deter fraud and economic crime, ACSPs collect the correct identity data and documents to ensure that those in charge and operating the company are who they claim to be.
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Joy is a content writer at BusinAssist with 6+ years of experience in content marketing and social media strategy. She specialises in company formation and virtual operations, guiding entrepreneurs through global markets with clarity, drawing on her marketing and PR background. Business Assist with BusinAssist – your business success partner.