ACSP registration
12th May 2025 – News release
I am now registered as an ACSP with Companies House
I am pleased to announce that NEB Brown Notary Public is now registered by Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) or Companies House authorised agent , undertaking anti-money laundering (AML) activity under the supervision of the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
From 18 March 2025, third-party providers who will be carrying out identity checks on behalf of clients for Companies House are required to register their business as an ACSP.
It is now possible for me to tell Companies House that I have verified someone’s identity and file documents on behalf of the client whose identity has been verified.
Why do you need to verify your identity?
You now need to prove who you are to set up, run, own or control a company in the UK.
Identity verification is a new legal requirement. It will help to deter people intending to use companies for illegal purposes.
By law, you will need to verify your identity to confirm you are who you claim to be.
This will:
- reduce the risk of fraud
- improve transparency, trust and accuracy of information on the Companies House register
Becoming an ACSP
To become an ACSP, I have to be supervised within the UK by the Faculty Office which is an approved supervisory body.
Now that I am registered, I have a new digital account and unique identity number. This will allow me to file information and complete identity verification for my corporate clients.
Telling Companies House that I have verified someone’s identity
Upon verifying someone’s identity, I will need to tell Companies House the person’s details and information about the checks and documents that I have used to verify them.
Identity checks must meet the Companies House identity verification standard
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-meet-companies-house-identity-verification-standard
These are different to customer due diligence checks to prevent money laundering.
Who needs to verify
You’ll need to verify your identity if you are:
- a director
- the equivalent of a director – this includes members, general partners and managing officers
- a person with significant control (PSC)
- someone who files for a company - for example, a company secretary
In most cases, you’ll only need to verify your identity once.
How to verify your identity using an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
You can ask me to verify your identity on your behalf.
If I agree to verify your identity, you will need to provide documents from an approved list as evidence of your identity. A fee would be charged for this service.
What happens when your ID has been verified
When your ID has successfully been verified, you’ll get a unique identifier known as a Companies House personal code. The code is personal to you, not your company or a company you work for.
From autumn 2025, such a code will be needed for various reasons. For example:
- when you file your confirmation statement
- if you are appointed as a director or equivalent
- if you become a person with significant control (PSC)
If you are currently a director or a PSC, you’ll need to use your Companies House personal code to connect your verified identity to their records. This is a legal requirement, and will ensure that Companies House knows that the correct identity is linked to any roles you hold.