{"id":27851,"date":"2025-09-04T06:43:44","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T05:43:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/?p=27851"},"modified":"2025-12-16T11:56:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T10:56:32","slug":"what-does-it-take-to-be-an-authorised-corporate-service-provider-acsp-for-companies-house-identity-verification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/figsflow.com\/uk\/what-does-it-take-to-be-an-authorised-corporate-service-provider-acsp-for-companies-house-identity-verification\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does It Take to Be an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) for Companies House Identity Verification\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The UK business landscape is changing, and professionals who’ve been filing company information on behalf of clients are about to face a significant shift. If you’re an accountant, solicitor, or corporate service provider who regularly deals with Companies House filings, you’ll want to sit up and pay attention to what’s coming down the line.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The introduction of Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) \u2013 sometimes called Companies House authorised agents \u2013 represents one of the biggest changes to UK company law in recent memory. It’s part of the government’s ongoing battle against economic crime, rolled out under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. But what exactly does this mean for your business, and how can you get ready for the changes ahead?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What Is an ACSP? <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Let’s start with the basics. An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) is essentially a Companies House<\/a> authorised agent \u2013 a trusted third party who can verify identities and file information on behalf of companies and their directors.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Think of ACSPs as the new gatekeepers of corporate transparency. They’re the professionals who’ll be able to verify that someone is who they claim to be when setting up a company or updating their details with Companies House. It’s a bit like being a digital bouncer for the corporate world, checking IDs at the door to make sure only legitimate people get through.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The whole system stems from the government’s determination to crack down on shell companies and anonymous ownership structures that have been used to hide dirty money or avoid sanctions. By requiring identity verification through authorised agents, Companies House is essentially building a wall of transparency around UK company formation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More About Registering as an ACSP<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Why the Push for ACSPs Now? <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The timing isn’t coincidental. The UK has been under increasing pressure to tighten up its corporate transparency rules, particularly following high-profile cases of money laundering and sanctions evasion involving UK companies. The government recognised that Companies House had become a bit of a free-for-all, where pretty much anyone could set up a company with minimal checks. From 18 November 2025, directors and people with significant control (PSCs) of companies must mandatorily verify their identities with HMRC.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Companies House has taken a big step towards greater certainty about who is filing information on behalf of companies with the introduction of the ACSP system. It’s part of a broader transformation that’s been brewing for years, aimed at making the UK a less attractive destination for dirty money while maintaining its reputation as a business-friendly jurisdiction.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The changes also reflect a growing recognition that professional intermediaries \u2013 accountants, lawyers, company formation agents \u2013 play a crucial role in the corporate ecosystem. Rather than leaving identity verification entirely to Companies House’s overworked staff, the new system leverages the expertise and local knowledge of professional service providers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFind Out How ACSPs Handle Identity Verification<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Who Can Become an ACSP? <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Not everyone can simply decide to become an ACSP. The eligibility criteria are quite specific and reflect the government’s desire to ensure only reputable, regulated professionals take on this responsibility.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

To register as an ACSP, businesses must meet specific eligibility criteria, including applicants for business registrations must hold a senior role, such as a director, general partner, or equivalent; and businesses must be registered with a UK AML supervisory body.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

This means you’ll need to tick several boxes:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>