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.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ACSP registration opened on 18th March 2025 and currently costs £55. While only mandatory now for firms offering identity verification services, all agents filing on behalf of clients will need to register by spring 2026.
- You must be registered with at least one AML supervisory body before applying, and hold a senior role in your firm (director, partner, or equivalent) to complete the registration process.
- Identity verification records must be kept for 7 years, and any changes to your firm’s details must be reported to Companies House within 14 days—failure to comply can result in fines, criminal prosecution, or loss of ACSP status.
- Once registered, you’ll receive a unique ACSP number starting with “AP” and can add employees to your account with three role types: Account Owners, Administrators, and Standard Users.
- Non-compliance can lead to suspension or termination of your ACSP status, preventing you from filing on behalf of clients and potentially causing reputational damage to your firm.
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 for ACSPs
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.
How to Register as an ACSP: Step-by-Step 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.
Eligibility Requirements: Who 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.
Learn how to manage ACSP access for employees.
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.
What Happens After Registration: Managing Your ACSP Account
Once your ACSP registration is approved by Companies House, you’ll receive your unique ACSP number (starting with “AP”) and access to your authorised agent account. This account becomes your central hub for managing users, updating firm details, and accessing services for your clients.
Adding and Managing Users to Your ACSP Account
After registration, the person who registered the firm can add other employees to the ACSP account. The good news? These additional users won’t need to verify their identity separately.
When adding users, you can assign them one of three roles based on their responsibilities:
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Account Owners
Can update the authorised agent's details, add and remove all users, and have full control over the account.
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Administrators
Can add and remove administrators and standard users but cannot modify the authorised agent's core details.
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Standard Users
Can access services and file on behalf of clients but cannot add or remove other users from the account.
All users added to the account will be able to file on behalf of clients and verify identities for Companies House (if your firm offers this service). You can remove users at any time, and once removed, they immediately lose access to the account and all ACSP services.
Updating Your ACSP Details
Companies House requires you to notify them within 14 days of any changes to your firm’s information. This is a legal requirement, and failing to comply means your firm could be committing an offence.
Changes you must report include:
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Registration Details
Any updates to your firm's name, registered office address, or correspondence email address.
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AML Supervision Status
If you're no longer registered with an AML supervisory body or if your supervisory body changes.
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Company Information
Changes to your company number or business structure.
To update your details, an account owner must sign in to the ACSP account and use the “View and update the authorised agent’s details” service. This ensures Companies House always has accurate, current information about your firm.
Closing Your ACSP Registration
If your firm no longer needs to be registered as an authorised agent, an account owner can voluntarily close the ACSP status. This can be done through the “Close the authorised agent” service accessible from your ACSP account.
Once closed, your firm will no longer be able to file on behalf of clients or verify identities for Companies House, and all users will lose access to the ACSP account.
Helpful Resources to Register as an ACSP with Companies House
- Here’s Everything It Take to Be an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) for Companies House Identity Verification: How to Become an ACSP for Companies House Identity Verification
- Here’s the Only Reason You Need to Register as an ACSP Now: Register As An ACSP Or Lose Clients! Decide Quickly!
- A Complete Guide to Identity Verification Through ACSP: Identity Verification Through ACSP Is Now a Business Essential
- Grab Directors’ Identity Verification Templates for Accountancy Firms Registered As an ACSP (It’s Free For Now): Identity Verification Engagement Letter Templates – Accountants
- Here’s How Accountants Can Prove & Verify Clients’ Identity: Understand How to Prove Identities Under ACSP | FigsFlow
- Everything Accountancy Practices Need to Know About ACSP Registration: What Do Accountants Need to Know About ACSP Registration | FigsFlow
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To register as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) with Companies House, you must first verify your identity through GOV.UK One Login. You’ll need to hold a senior position in your firm (such as director or partner) and be registered with an AML supervisory body. Complete the online application by providing your firm’s details, company number, AML membership number, and pay the £55 registration fee. Once approved, you’ll receive your ACSP number and account access.
The ACSP code is a unique identifier number starting with “AP” that Companies House assigns to your firm after successful registration as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider. This code allows you to access your authorised agent account, manage users, file on behalf of clients, and perform identity verification services. You’ll receive this code via email once your application is approved, typically within 2 working days.
ACSP stands for Authorised Corporate Service Provider. These are also known as Companies House authorised agents, businesses or individuals registered to file information with Companies House on behalf of their clients and, optionally, verify identities for Companies House purposes. The ACSP system was introduced to enhance transparency and ensure that those responsible for filing company information are properly identified and accountable.
Your ACSP status refers to whether your firm is actively registered, suspended, or ceased as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider with Companies House. Active status means you can file on behalf of clients and verify identities. Companies House may suspend your status if you fail to comply with legal requirements, giving you 28 days to provide necessary information. If your status is ceased, you lose all ACSP privileges and your account is closed.
Registering as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) with Companies House costs £55. This is a one-time registration fee paid during the application process via debit or credit card. Applications are typically processed within 2 working days, after which you’ll receive confirmation of approval or rejection. This fee is separate from any costs associated with incorporating a new company or other Companies House services.
