C · Client onboarding & engagement
Companies House Identity Verification and ACSP Registration
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Quick answer
An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) is a business, such as an accountancy practice, that is registered with Companies House to carry out identity verification for its clients. Accountants who file on behalf of company clients generally need to register as an ACSP and are supervised for anti-money laundering purposes to do so.
Key takeaways
- ACSP status lets your practice verify identity for directors, PSCs and other clients rather than each individual verifying themselves separately.
- You must already be supervised for AML purposes to register as an ACSP.
- Directors and people with significant control (PSCs) need identity verification under Companies House reforms.
- Filing certain documents for clients may require your firm's ACSP status to be in place.
- Build ID verification into onboarding so it isn't a bottleneck when a filing deadline arrives.
What is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider?
An ACSP is a business supervised for anti-money laundering purposes that has registered with Companies House to verify the identity of individuals, such as directors, on its clients' behalf.
Companies House reforms introduced identity verification requirements for directors, people with significant control, and those filing on behalf of companies. Individuals can verify their own identity directly with Companies House, or they can use an ACSP such as their accountant to do it for them, which is generally more convenient where the accountant already holds identity documents as part of client due diligence.
Which accountancy practices need to register as an ACSP?
Practices that want to verify identity on behalf of clients, or file certain documents at Companies House on their clients' behalf, should register as an ACSP.
If you only ever ask clients to verify their own identity directly with Companies House, ACSP registration is not compulsory. In practice, most growing practices register because it is more convenient for clients and keeps the verification step within a service you already manage, rather than sending clients off to complete a separate process alone.
How do you register as an ACSP?
You register through Companies House's ACSP registration service, confirming your AML supervisor and providing details of your firm and responsible individuals.
- Confirm your firm already has AML supervision in place (via a professional body or HMRC)
- Gather your firm's details: name, address, AML supervisor and registration number
- Complete the Companies House ACSP registration process online
- Nominate the individuals within your firm authorised to carry out verifications
- Wait for confirmation of your ACSP status before offering the service to clients
How do you verify directors and PSCs as an ACSP?
You check government-issued ID against the individual in person or via approved digital identity verification, then confirm the result to Companies House through the ACSP process.
| Individual | When verification is needed |
|---|---|
| Company directors | On appointment, and existing directors within transitional deadlines |
| People with significant control (PSCs) | On registration as a PSC, and existing PSCs within transitional deadlines |
| Individuals filing on a company's behalf | Before filing certain documents, if not verified via an ACSP already |
Transitional deadlines and exact document requirements are set by Companies House; check current guidance before relying on specific dates, as implementation has been phased.
Does ACSP status let you file documents for clients?
ACSP registration is specifically about identity verification; your ability to file documents for clients depends on your existing agent or presenter arrangements alongside your ACSP status.
Being an ACSP supports the verification step in the filing process, particularly where a filing requires a verified individual to be linked to it. Keep your firm's filing access and software authorisation up to date alongside your ACSP registration so the two work together smoothly.
How to register your practice as a Companies House ACSP
- 1
Confirm AML supervision
Ensure your firm's AML supervision, whether through a professional body or HMRC, is current.
- 2
Gather firm details
Collect your firm's registered details and AML supervisor reference.
- 3
Complete ACSP registration
Register your firm as an ACSP through the Companies House online service.
- 4
Nominate authorised individuals
Identify which team members will carry out identity verification for clients.
- 5
Set up a verification process
Decide how you will check ID documents, in person or via approved digital verification tools.
- 6
Build verification into onboarding
Add director and PSC identity verification as a standard onboarding step for company clients.
- 7
Keep records
Retain evidence of verification carried out, consistent with your AML record-keeping obligations.
How Remindoo helps
Because identity verification for Companies House sits alongside the AML checks you already run during onboarding, Remindoo lets you record both on the same client record: AML checks, risk levels and review notes live together with the client's onboarding tasks, so you're not maintaining two separate systems for essentially the same document collection exercise. The client management record's Companies House sync also keeps company and officer details up to date automatically, giving you an easy reference point when confirming who needs verification and when. Standardised onboarding requests mean director and PSC verification becomes a routine checklist item for every new company client, rather than something remembered only when a filing is imminent.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be an ACSP to act as an accountant for a limited company?
No, ACSP status is only required if you want to carry out identity verification on Companies House's behalf; you can still act as accountant without it.
Can sole practitioners register as an ACSP?
Yes, ACSP registration is open to firms of any size that meet the AML supervision requirement.
What ID documents are accepted for verification?
Passports, driving licences and other government-issued photo ID are typically accepted, following Companies House's published list of acceptable documents.
Is there a fee to register as an ACSP?
Check current Companies House guidance for any applicable registration fee, as fee levels can change [VERIFY].
What happens if a director doesn't complete identity verification?
Companies House can restrict filings or take enforcement action against companies with unverified directors once transitional deadlines pass.
Does ACSP registration replace my professional body's AML supervision?
No, ACSP registration is separate from, and depends on, your existing AML supervision arrangement.
Can I verify identity remotely rather than in person?
Yes, Companies House permits approved digital identity verification methods as an alternative to in-person checks.
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Sources
- Companies House: Identity verification for ACSPs (opens in new tab)
- Companies House: Identity verification overview (opens in new tab)
- GOV.UK: Money laundering supervision for accountancy service providers (opens in new tab)
- Companies House: Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act guidance (opens in new tab)
Last updated 23 September 2026. General guidance, not legal or regulatory advice. Check with your professional body.
