ACSP Registration Service

David Potts explains what accountants need to know about the new ACSP Registration Service from Companies House.

The landscape of corporate services in the UK is undergoing significant change with the introduction of the Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) registration service by Companies House. This new requirement, which became effective on 18 March 2025, aims to enhance transparency and security in the filing of corporate information. For accountants, understanding these changes is crucial to ensure compliance and to continue providing services to clients.

This article considers the key aspects of the ACSP registration service and what accountants need to know to navigate these regulatory changes.

What is the ACSP Registration Service?

The ACSP registration service mandates third-party providers, such as accountants, solicitors and company formation agents, to register as Authorised Corporate Service Providers with Companies House. This registration is necessary for those who plan to carry out identity verification checks on behalf of clients or make filings with Companies House. In the future, businesses will also need to register to be able to file on behalf of clients.

The primary objective of the ACSP registration service is to enhance the integrity of the information filed with Companies House. By ensuring that only authorised and regulated entities can submit filings and verify identities, Companies House aims to reduce the risk of fraud and improve the accuracy of the public register. This move is part of a broader effort under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) to bolster corporate governance and combat economic crime.

Requirements for accountants

Registration with an AML supervisory body

To register as an ACSP, accountants must be supervised by a UK anti-money laundering (AML) supervisory body, which includes the Association of International Accountants (AIA). During the registration process, accountants will need to provide their AML supervisory body membership number. AIA works with Companies House to ensure confirmation of its supervised population and reduce administrative burden for members.

Senior role requirement

The registration process must be completed by someone holding a senior role within the firm, such as a director or partner. This individual will be responsible for verifying their identity through the GOV.UK One Login system. The person registering the business as an ACSP can add other people who work for the business to the authorised agent account once it is registered and approved.

Compliance with legal requirements

Companies House authorised agents must comply with the following legal requirements:

1. The agent must always be registered with an AML supervisory body.
2. The agent must inform Companies House if there is a change to any of the information they hold about the agent within 14 days.
3. If Companies House requests it, the agent must provide more information:
   • about the agent’s filings with Companies House;
   • about identity checks, if the agent verifies someone’s identity for Companies House; and
   • to prove the agent is complying with their legal responsibilities.
4. The agent must keep records of any identity checks for seven years, if they have verified someone’s identity for Companies House.
   • If you are a sole trader and have registered yourself as an authorised agent, you are responsible for making sure you comply. For other businesses, all officers are responsible. This means all directors, or anyone whose roles and responsibilities correspond to that of a company director.
   • The agent will be committing an offence if they do not comply with legal requirements. This means the sole trader, or all company directors (or equivalent) could receive a fine or face criminal prosecution.

Registration

From 18 March 2025, accountants can apply to register as an ACSP through the Companies House online portal. The application must be completed by a senior member of the firm.

Ensure that your firm is AML regulated and locate your ID number. Review and update your identity verification processes to meet the new requirements.

Once the application is approved, Companies House will create a digital account for the ACSP and provide a unique identity number. Additional employees can be added to this account without needing to verify their identities.

Companies House will not publish information to show that a business has registered as an authorised agent.

However, if Companies House needs to suspend a business from acting as an authorised agent, or if a business stops being an authorised agent, it will publish:

• the name of the business or sole trader;
• the status, to show if it has been suspended, or if it has stopped being an authorised agent; and
• the date the status changed.

If a person uses an authorised agent to verify their identity, Companies House will show some information about the agent that has verified them.

When the person connects their verified identity to its records, Companies House will show:

• the name of the authorised agent; and
• the names of the AML supervisory bodies the agent is registered with.

How to meet Companies House identity verification standard

When agents verify someone’s identity for Companies House, they must meet the identity verification standard to comply with their legal responsibilities as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). The following checks outline the minimum that must be undertaken to meet the standard.

Ask for information about the person

The person will need to give their:

• full name and any former names;
• date of birth;
• home address;
• address history for the last 12 months; and
• email address.

Get evidence to verify the person’s identity

Documents must be seen to provide evidence to verify a person’s identity. Copies of documents must be kept for seven years from the date that identity checks were completed.

Agents will not need to submit copies of documents when informing Companies House that someone’s identity has been verified; however, Companies House will ask for information about the documents. Agents will need to give the:

• the document reference number or equivalent;
• the expiry date, if the document has one; and
• the country of issue, if the document has one.

Documents that can be used as evidence

There are two options for checking identity documents: using identification document validation technology (IDVT) to check documents or checking by a person. The documents which agents can use as evidence will depend on which of these options is used (see tinyurl.com/5n7aknhk).

Agents cannot use as evidence:

• documents that have expired; and
• a foreign equivalent of a document, if an issuing country or authority is specified.

The person will not need to verify again if a document expires after identity checks have been completed.

Check the evidence is real

If the evidence is being checked by a person, they must be trained in detecting false documents by a specialist training provider. This could be any organisation that follows the Home Office best practice guide, including:

• Home Office;
• National Document Fraud Unit (NDFU); and
• National Protective Security Authority (NPSA).

Identity documents should always be checked for signs of tampering and be queried if there are any signs of damage to a document, especially if it is in an area where personal details are shown.

If agents have concerns about a document, they should contact the issuing authority or another authoritative source to check. For documents issued by a country outside of the UK, agents should contact the relevant embassy if there are concerns.

Check the identity belongs to the person claiming it

Agents will need to check that:

• the documents confirm their name and date of birth;
• information held in the electronic chip matches the information on the document and the person claiming it, if the agent is using IDVT to check the document; and
• the person physically matches the photo that is on, or goes with the document.

If the person is being verified remotely, agents must make sure they are a real person. The persons face will need to be clearly seen to compare it with the photo that is on the identity document.

Keep records of the identity checks

Records of all the evidence and information used to verify someone’s identity must be kept for seven years from the date that identity verification was completed.

This includes:

• copies of documents checked;
• evidence of identity checks completed; and
• records of any failed verification attempts.

Tell Companies House when someone’s identity has been verified

Once someone’s identity has been verified (from 8 April 2025), Companies House online service should be used to:

• tell Companies House the person’s details;
• tell Companies House which documents were used to verify their identity;
• give details from the identity documents; and
• confirm that identity verification checks have been completed to the required standard.

What to do if someone’s identity cannot be identified

If it is not possible to verify a person’s identity, records must be kept of the evidence used and checks completed for seven years. It is the person’s responsibility to prove that they are who they say they are. They will need to get documents to be able to verify their identity for Companies House.

Preparing for the transition

To ensure a smooth transition to the new ACSP registration service, consider taking the following steps:

• Stay informed: Keep up to date with the latest guidance from Companies House and AIA regarding the ACSP registration service.
• Review processes: Assess and update your firm’s identity verification and AML compliance processes to align with the new requirements.
• Train staff: Provide training for staff on the new regulations and the importance of compliance.
• Plan for registration: Prepare for the registration process by gathering the necessary information and designating a senior member to complete the application.

The new ACSP registration service from Companies House will have several implications for small accounting firms; however, it also offers an opportunity to enhance their reputation and client trust through compliance and transparency. Whilst representing a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for accountants and other corporate service providers, by understanding the requirements and preparing accordingly, accountants can ensure compliance and continue to provide high-quality services to their clients. This proactive approach will not only help mitigate risks but also position firms as trusted and reliable partners in the corporate services sector.

Key links for more guidance

• Changes to UK company law (GOV.UK)
• Third-party providers: get ready to register as an authorised corporate service provider (Companies House)
• Authorised corporate service providers: what you need to know (Companies House)
• Being an authorised corporate service provider (GOV.UK)

Author bio

David Potts is Director of Policy & Regulation and MLRO at the AIA.