[GUIDE] Companies House Authorised Corporate Service Provider

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Registering a company is just the beginning of setting up a business. The incorporation process entails several steps to ensure compliance with the Companies Act 2006. Among other changes in rules, companies must now verify their officers’ identities with Companies House, either directly or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).

But who is an ACSP? This is an entity authorised to conduct money laundering checks in the UK and act as a point of contact between registered companies and Companies House. Company formation agents, solicitors and accountants already perform the ACSP’s functions; however, in the new legislation of identity checks, they will be required to register as ACSPs to continue acting as Companies House intermediaries.

Icon Offices is among the first ACSP registered with Companies House. Icon Offices can conduct verification checks on behalf of Companies House to ensure companies comply with regulations under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

This article will explore the roles of ACSPs, who need to verify their identity with Companies House and the steps involved in verifying their identity.

An overview of Companies House and corporate service providers

Companies House is the official government agency responsible for registering companies in the UK. It plays a vital role in ensuring transparency and accountability in the economic sector. Every company registering with Companies House must provide essential information about its structure, directors and financial status.

A Companies House Authorised Service Provider (ACSP) is an entity that has been granted permission to offer company formation, compliance and identity verification checks services. ACSPs help businesses navigate the complexities of administration and compliance. ACSPs must fulfil the new identity verification check required under the ECCTA.

ACSPs are supervised by a UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervisory body. They are responsible for retaining records of identity checks for seven years.

Once an entity is verified as an ACSP, it will receive a digital account and a unique ID, allowing it to verify the identity of its clients. The unique identification number (UIN) helps Companies House confirm that the verification information is from an authorised source.

The timelines of Companies House identity verifications

Company officers can voluntarily do identity verification, which started on April 8, 2025. The verification will be mandatory in autumn 2025, meaning new incorporations and company officers must verify their identity when forming a company.

For existing companies, a 12-month transition period from the mandatory requirement, meaning that company officers must be verified by Spring 2026.

The role of Authorised Corporate Service Providers

Identity verification

ACSPs verify the identities of company officers, including directors, people with significant control (PSCs) and individuals in charge of submitting statutory filings to Companies House. This involves checking primary identification documents (passports or driving licenses) against photos, sometimes using likeness-matching technology.

Filing documents

They are also responsible for filing documents to Companies House on behalf of the company. They file documents such as Confirmation Statements, Annual Accounts, company registrations and any other changes to the company.

Compliance and oversight

ACSPs ensure companies are compliant with the Companies House and AML regulations. They also must comply with regulations from Companies House and provide any additional information that the Registrar requests.

Maintaining records

Apart from conducting identity verification, ACSPs are required to keep detailed records of the identity verification checks they perform. These records must be available for inspection by Companies House, ensuring accountability and transparency.

Why choose Icon Offices

Expertise

The team at Icon Offices comprises experienced professionals who are well-versed in the rules and regulations in the UK. The staff conducts identity verification with the care it deserves, as it is sensitive information.

Customer-centric approach

Icon offices prioritises customer satisfaction first by offering personalised services tailored to meet clients’ needs.

Technology-driven

Our services are online-based. All services are processed online, where you get to fill out your company’s information in our online form, and we will handle the rest. If you have to receive any documents after subscription, we will ensure they are sent to your email.

Additional services

Apart from identity checks, we offer additional services including company formation, virtual offices, telephony services, call answering services, ongoing compliance and office rental.

Commitment to compliance and security

We are committed to complying with Companies House regulations and the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures. We conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) checks to prevent financial crimes and comply with the financial system. We also adhere to data protection and client confidentiality as we handle sensitive information.

How to verify your identity with Icon Offices

To verify your identity, you must fill out the form with details of a person for whom verification is required. You can verify as many company officers as possible; however, one officer’s information can be filled in one form at a time.

The information required includes: full name, residential address, country, postcode, contact number, and email address. The company’s information needed includes the company name and number. 

Once you fill out the information, you can select a payment gateway, accept the terms and conditions, and then place an order.

Just as simple as that. All orders are handled online, making it easy for non-UK residents to verify their identity no matter where they are located. Once the verification process is done, we will ensure you receive a Companies House personal code. The code will be used to file statutory records with Companies House.

To verify your identity for Companies House, you can use Icon Offices’ quick and secure ID verification service. Simply visit this page to learn more and complete the process online in just a few steps.