How to Register as an ACSP with Companies House?
The term ACSP stands for Authorised Corporate Service Providers, also knowns as the Companies House authorised agents, is a new requirement brought by the Companies House wherein the personnel holding a senior position in the business will have to register the business as an ACSP starting from 18th March 2025 with a minimal registration fee of £55 charged by the Companies House.
This initiative has been introduced by Companies House to enhance transparency by ensuring that the individuals responsible for filing information on the public register are properly identified, helping to maintain the accuracy of the data held by Companies House and prevent its misuse for fraudulent activities.
Who Needs to Register as an ACSP?
Currently, only agents who are directly involved in verifying the identities of clients with Companies House are required to register. However, Companies House plans to extend this requirement to all agents who file on behalf of their clients.
Legal Requirements and Responsibilities as an ACSP
All the agents planning to register themselves as ACSP need to have their AML number in hand before proceeding with registration. Therefore, all agents are expected to be registered with at least one Anti-Money Laundering supervisory body.
If any changes occur to the information provided during registration, these must be reported to the Companies House within 14 days. Additionally, upon request of the Companies House, ACSP must provide Companies House with additional information, including records of filings with Companies House, identity checks (if the agent is verifying someone’s identity for Companies House), and any other relevant details to demonstrate compliance with legal requirements.
The records of the identity check the ACSP conducted should be stored for 7 years from the date of completion of those checks.
Records of identity checks conducted by the ACSP must be retained for seven years from the completion date of those checks. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in suspension or termination of the company’s authorisation to act as an agent. Furthermore, the director of the company may face a fine or criminal prosecution. Therefore, all officers who have registered their business as an ACSP must be fully aware of the legal obligations and ensure compliance.
Registration Process
Now, that we have known about the importance and its requirements for the registration, lets dive into the actual process of registration step by step.
Check if you can Apply
To register as an authorised agent with Companies House, you must hold a senior role in the business, such as a director, general partner, partner, or member. Once registered, you can add other employees to the agent account.
For a corporate body, you need to be a member if the body is managed by its members, or a director if it is not. For an unincorporated entity, you must be a member if it is managed by its members, or part of the governing body if it isn’t.
Verify your Identity
Identity verification is a new legal requirement which aims on minimising fraud and making the Companies House information reliable and transparent. Either a director of the company, person equivalent of a director or a PSC (Person with significant control), needs to verify the identity.
Identity verification can be done online through GOV.UK One Login. If you don’t already have an account, you will need to create one.
Once you have signed up for GOV.UK One Login, visit the Apply to register as a Companies House authorised agent – GOV.UK. On this page, you will find a “Start Now” button, which will direct you to the identity verification process.
List of things required for Online Identity verification
- Proof of identity (Passport, Driving License, UK Biometric Resident Permit, Biometric Residence card, or Frontier Worker Permit)
- Home address details including the year you started residing at that address
Followed by this, Companies House will ask series of security questions in relation to your financial status, bank loan and mortgages, mobile phone contract, current account with UK bank. Once you successfully answer these security questions, the online identity verification will be complete.
After the verification is complete, a unique identifier known as a Companies House personal code is generated. You can find this code in the “Manage account” section of your Companies house account. This code will be required for certain company filings, such as the confirmation statement, starting in April 2025.
This code should only be shared with individuals you fully trust to file on your behalf or for your company. It must be kept secure, just like your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) for HMRC.
If you do not verify your identity, you will not be able to make filings with Companies House, start a new company or entity, or register your company as an ACSP.
Apply to Register as a Companies House Authorised Agent
Once your identity is verified, you will be redirected to continuing with registering as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.
You will be required to fill in several requirements as listed below in the application:
- Name of the company
- Company Number (You can find this in your Companies house portal)
- Type of Business
- Services you offer through your business
- Registered office address
- Correspondence email address (you can either use the same email address from your GOV.UK One login’s credentials or use a different one)
- AML details- Name of you AML supervisory body and membership number.
Once the application is filled you will be able to review you form and make changes to the original entry if any amendments are required. Afterward, click the “Pay Now” button, which will redirect you to the payment page. Upon completing the payment of £55, the application will be submitted to Companies House.
After the application is submitted, a confirmation email is sent to your email address which was used for creating the GOV.UK one login stating that the application has been received by the Companies house.
Companies house will be sending you an email to confirm acceptance or rejection of the application within 2 working days. They will also state the reasons for rejection, if the application is rejected.
After the registration is complete, access can be granted to other employees within the company. These employees will not need to verify their identity, but upon receiving access, they will be able to assist with filings and identity checks for clients.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSP) requirement by Companies House marks a significant step toward increasing transparency and accountability in corporate filings. As Companies House continues to expand the scope of ACSP registration, businesses must stay updated on evolving compliance requirements to avoid disruptions in their corporate filings. Properly navigating this process will not only ensure regulatory compliance but also strengthen business credibility and trust within the corporate landscape.
Sanjay Gautam
Sanjay Gautam, a seasoned Chartered Accountant, brings over seven years of experience in accounting, finance, and taxation. He has held notable roles at Credit Suisse, HSBC, and Fintech. His expertise in tax planning, compliance, and financial management are truly exceptional. Holds a Master's in Business Studies.
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