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English (UK) Identity Verification through ACSP
Identity verification through ACSP is a new legal requirement introduced by Companies House to reduce the risk of fraud and enhance transparency, trust, and accuracy of the information held by Companies House. Directors, individuals equivalent to directors, Persons with Significant Control (PSCs), and anyone filing on behalf of a company are required to verify their identity with Companies House.
As of 8 April 2025, the above-stated personnel can voluntarily verify their identity to the Companies House. However, this will be a legal requirement in the near future.
Ways of Identity Verification
Companies House has come up with the following two ways for identity verification.
Online Verification Through GOV.UK One Login
To verify your identity online through GOV.UK One Login, you must first create an account if you don’t already have one. After signing up, visit Verify your identity for Companies House – GOV.UK. You’ll find a “Verify Your Identity” button to guide you through the verification process.
Requirements for Online Identity Verification:
- Proof of Identity – You will need one of the following documents: Passport, Driving License, UK Biometric Resident Permit, Biometric Residence Card, or Frontier Worker Permit.
- Home Address Details – You must also provide your home address information, including the year you began residing there.
During the process, Companies House will ask you a series of security questions related to your financial situation, such as information about your bank loan, mortgage, mobile phone contract, and your current UK bank account. Once you answer these questions successfully, the identity verification will be complete.
After verification, a Companies House personal code will be generated, which you can find 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 from April 2025.
Identity Verification through ACSP
ACSP stands for Authorised Corporate Service Provider, also known as a Companies House authorised agent. Working with an ACSP simplifies the process and eliminates the hassle of creating a GOV.UK One Login account. By providing them with the requested information, they will verify your identity with Companies House on your behalf, making the process much easier and hassle-free.
Let’s now take a closer look at the process for identity verification through ACSP, along with the standards established by Companies House that ACSP is required to adhere to.
Procedure of Identity Verification through ACSP
ACSPs are authorised agents and act as intermediaries between individuals and Companies House, enabling identity verification on their behalf. However, there are specific requirements set by Companies House that the ACSP must adhere to. If these standards are not met, Companies House can suspend or revoke the ACSP’s status as an authorised agent. Therefore, ACSPs must exercise extra caution and diligence when performing identity verification to ensure full compliance with Companies House regulations and avoid any potential consequences.
Information Collection
For any ACSP, collecting information is a critical and essential part of the identity verification process, and there must be no negligence. Companies House has clearly stated that failure to meet the required standards may result in the suspension of the ACSP’s status. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the ACSP to ensure all information is collected accurately and in compliance with the standards set by Companies House.
This step requires basic documents such as passports and proof of identity. Key information such as full name, date of birth, and home address can be extracted from these documents. Additionally, an email address must be requested, and it is the ACSP’s responsibility to inform the directors or the person undergoing the identity checks that the provided email address must be functional and accessible. This is crucial as Companies House uses this email address to send the personal code, which is a vital part of the verification process.
The requested documents must serve as evidence and should be stored securely by the ACSP. The required document types are outlined in the “IDV Standard” section below. Although not explicitly stated in the Companies House guidelines, it is highly recommended that the ACSP conduct an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) verification before initiating identity verification checks. This adds an extra layer of security and ensures that all checks are performed comprehensively.
Filling Up the Application Form
Once all the necessary information is gathered, the application form for identity verification through ACSP should be completed using the link Tell Companies House you have verified someone’s identity – GOV.UK.
This link must be accessed using the GOV.UK One Login credentials that were used when registering the company as an ACSP. The application form itself is straightforward and only requires basic details such as the individual’s name, email address, date of birth, and home address.
Additionally, the application must include details such as the date when the identity checks were completed and the method used to complete the checks—either through IDVT (Identification Document Validation Technology) or in person. IDVT is a technology that validates the cryptographic features of the document. The ACSP is also required to list the specific documents used to verify the individual’s identity.
Following this, the ACSP must provide a declaration confirming that they have adhered to Companies House requirements and that all the information provided is accurate and true as of the date of the identity verification check. Finally, passport details, including the passport number, expiry date, and country of issue, must also be included in the application.
Once the application is completed, it is advisable to briefly double-check it to ensure there are no typographical errors before submission. If any errors are discovered after the application has been submitted, the ACSP can contact Companies House to report the issue and express their wish to rectify
it. However, as this is a new service, no formal process for correcting errors is currently in place. We anticipate that Companies House will soon introduce a process to address this situation.
Informing the Person About the Personal Code
Once the application is submitted and identity verification is successfully completed, a personal code is sent to the email address provided in the form. It is the responsibility of the ACSP to inform their clients about the importance of safeguarding this code. Clients should be advised to store the code securely and treat it with the same level of confidentiality and care as they would their Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR).
IDV Standards Set By the Companies House
An ACSP must exercise heightened caution when conducting identity verification checks for third parties, ensuring full compliance with the standards and guidelines established by Companies House. Strict adherence to these requirements is essential, as any form of negligence—such as failing to properly validate documents or overlooking signs of fraud—could result in serious consequences. These may include the suspension of the ACSP’s status or the revocation of their authorisation to act as an authorised agent for identity verification purposes.
Required Documents
When an ACSP performs identity verification checks on behalf of someone else, Companies House offers two options that the ACSP can choose from. The type of documents required for the verification process will depend on which option is selected. Each option has specific requirements and determines the acceptable forms of identification and supporting evidence needed to complete the verification in compliance with Companies House standards.
Option 1
Option 1 must only be chosen if the identity verification is done through identification document validation technology which can validate the cryptographic features present in the document.
Cryptographic features of identity documentation are security elements that help verify the authenticity of the person or organization that issued the document. To meet identity verification requirements, individuals must provide one of the accepted forms of identification. These include a biometric or machine-readable passport, or an Irish passport card, which may be up to six months expired if the cryptographic features can still be validated by identity-checking technology. Other acceptable documents include a UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or EU photocard driving licence (full or provisional); an identity card containing biometric information from the EU, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein; a UK biometric residence permit (which can be up to 18 months expired); a UK biometric residence card; or a UK Frontier Worker permit.
Option 2
Option 2 is used when the documents are checked by a person either remotely or in person. If ACSP opts for this option, they require only 2 documents in total to be kept as evidence. The person being verified must provide either two documents from group A or 1 document each from group A and group B.
If the person being verified is non-UK resident, ACSP must request the person to provide at least one document issued by the government.
Group A documents are listed below which often requires document reference number, expiry date, and country of issue:
- A passport or Irish passport card (can be up to 18 months expired)
- An identity card with biometric information from the EU, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein
- A UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) (can be up to 18 months expired)
- A UK Biometric Residence Card (BRC)
- A UK-accredited PASS (Proof of Age Standards Scheme) card
- A UK or EU driver digital tachograph card
- A UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or EU photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
- A UK HM Forces ID card
- A UK HM Armed Forces Veteran Card
- A UK Frontier Worker permit
- A government-issued photographic work permit
- A government-issued photographic immigration document
- A photographic visa
- A UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man firearms licence
- Any other type of photographic ID listed on PRADO (such as a National Identity Card from Pakistan, a crew member certificate from South Africa, or a U.S. Permanent Resident Card)
Group B documents are listed below, which do not require a document reference number, expiry date, or country of issue:
- Birth certificate or adoption certificate
- Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
- Non-photographic immigration document
- Non-photographic visa
- Non-photographic work permit
- Bank or building society statement
- UK local authority or social housing rental agreement (must be for the person’s current address)
- Mortgage statement (must be for the person’s current address)
- UK council tax statement (must be for the person’s current address)
- Utility bill (must be for the person’s current address)
Records of the Identity Checks
ACSP is required to retain records of all evidence and information used during the identity verification process for a period of seven years from the date the verification is completed. This includes copies of the identity documents that were reviewed, evidence of the identity checks carried out, and records of any unsuccessful verification attempts. Maintaining this information is essential for compliance and audit purposes.
Evidence & Identity Check
To ensure robust identity verification through ACSP, anyone manually checking identity documents must be trained by a specialist provider that follows the Home Office’s best practice guidance for detecting fraudulent documents. During the process, documents should be examined for signs of tampering, particularly in areas displaying personal details. If there are any doubts about a document’s authenticity, ACSP should contact the issuing authority or another reliable source. For documents issued outside the UK, concerns should be directed to the appropriate embassy.
In verifying that the identity is genuine and belongs to the individual presenting it, ACSP must confirm that the documents support the person’s name and date of birth, and, if using Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT), that the cryptographic features match the data provided. A visual match must be established between the person and the photograph on the document, especially during remote verification. To reduce the risk of accepting synthetic identities, additional documents should be requested if there are gaps in address history or a recent name change. ACSP should also look for signs of real-life activity, such as recent transactions on a bank statement, utility or council tax bills sent to the individual’s home, or signs that a passport has been actively used over time.
Conclusion
ACSP must exercise due diligence when reviewing identity documents and must make a clear decision on whether to proceed with the verification. If, at any point, there are signs of fraudulent activity or tampered evidence, ACSP has the right to decline the verification of that individual’s identity. In such cases, the individual will need to complete the identity verification process independently. It is important to note that even if ACSP chooses not to verify the identity, all related evidence and documentation must still be retained for a period of seven years.
By conducting identity verification through ACSP, individuals and organisations can have greater confidence that the process is accurate, secure, and carried out by a reliable source. ACSPs follow strict procedures to minimise errors and ensure that the verification is handled in accordance with regulatory standards.
Dikshya Bhatta
Dikshya is an ACCA affiliate with a strong foundation in accounting, banking, and bookkeeping. With multiple years of hands-on experience across multiple sectors, she brings a well-rounded and practical approach to financial management, compliance and client service to the table.