If you run a small business, registering under the Authorised Corporate Services Providers (ACSP) is a necessity to build trust with you and your audience. In the future, businesses, including small businesses, will also need to register as an ACSP to be able to file on behalf of clients. It will also soon be a government requirement to help them know who’s filing information on the public register. It’s a good idea to get ahead of this before it’s a requirement.
So, what is the ACSP, and how do you register? As ACSP’s ourselves, the team at Accountancy Solutions have created a simple guide to help you and your small business below.
Accountancy Solutions can also do the checks for you – even if you’re not one of our clients! Contact us or read on to learn more.
What is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider?
Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) are individuals or organisations, like small businesses, that take part in anti-money laundering (AML) supervised activity. This is if they perform identity verification or will be filing on behalf of clients.
Is it law to register for ACSP?
As of Spring 2026, being an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) will soon become a legal requirement for any third-party agents who file information or carry out identity verification with Companies House on behalf of clients. By Spring 2026, only registered ACSPs will be legally permitted to perform these activities.
Why will ACSP become law?
The introduction of the Authorised Corporate Service Provider regime, under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, is a significant change for any small business. This has been introduced because business landscape is evolving to enhance corporate transparency and combat economic crime.
When should I register for as an ACSP?
For directors of limited companies, registration for ACSPs opened in March 2025 so it’s a good idea to register before the deadline in Spring 2026. We suggest starting to prepare now by reviewing the eligibility criteria, compliance requirements, and application process to ensure a smooth transition before the deadline.
Separately, mandatory identity verification for all directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) started on November 18, 2025. Directors will need to provide their personal code (received after verification) when their company files its next Confirmation Statement.
Accountancy Solutions can help with this. As registered ACSPs, we can also perform checks for company directors. Contact us to find out more.
Who needs to register for the Authorised Corporate Service Provider?
If you currently file company information, or verify identities for clients, and are a director of a limited company, you’ll need to register as an ACSP to continue doing so. Certain professions and companies will also need to do this. This includes:
- Accountants
- Solicitors
- Agents who form companies
- Governance professionals
- Chartered secretaries
Third-party providers who will be carrying out identity checks on behalf of clients for Companies House will first need to register their business as an ACSP.
What are the penalties for not registering as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider?
Under the 2025 Regulations, it’s an offence to carry out activities such as filing company documents or verifying identities on behalf of clients without being registered.
By Spring 2026, failure to register as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) when required could lead to fines – the details of which are yet to be disclosed – and a loss of authorisation. Your small business could be struck off by Companies House if all directors fail to do their ACSP check. Crucially, confirmation statements will not be accepted unless every director has their ACSP code.
Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with the ACSP legal requirements?
Responsibility for complying with the legal requirements and expectations relating to the ACSP depends on the nature of your small business.
If you’re a director of a limited company and have registered yourself as an authorised agent, only you are responsible for making sure you comply with the legal requirement. However, if you’re a small business owner with a range of authorised agents, all officers are responsible for legal requirements, although you’ll need to register your business as an ACSP.
What are the benefits of being registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider for small businesses?
There are many benefits to being registered for the ACSP:
More credibility
Using an ACSP can be a mark of compliance and good governance for your small business. For clients and customers, using a provider that is formally authorised by Companies House gives them the extra assurance that filings and identifications are handled to the required standard. This can increase confidence among potential partners and investors too.
Increased protection against regulatory risk & fraud
The ACSP is designed to protect against the misuse of the Companies House register. This can reduce your small business’s exposure to the risk of unverified entities, which could damage your reputation or lead to enforcement. It will also help you keep ahead of regulatory changes.
How to become an ACSP
To become an ACSP, you must be supervised in the UK by a supervisory body that is registered with Anti-Money Laundering (AML). There are 25 supervisory bodies in the UK that can oversee you and/or your staff.
If your or your firm are not supervised in the UK, or you supply the incorrect membership details, your ACSP application will be rejected. It’s important to take note of the rules to avoid any delays in becoming registered.
What are the legal requirements for authorised agents registered under ACSP?
When you enter the ACSP, you become a Companies House authorised agent and must comply with certain legal requirements and, therefore, responsibilities.
- You or your senior staff must always be registered with at least one Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervisory body
- You or your senior staff must tell Companies House if there is a change to any of the agent’s information within 14 days.
- If Companies House request certain information, you or your senior staff must provide the information called for. This could be:
- Their filings with Companies House
- Identity checks
- To prove compliance with legal responsibilities
- If you have verified someone’s identity for Companies House, your small business must keep records of these identity checks for 7 years
What information should my small business expect to give when verifying someone’s identity?
You will be required to tell them the person’s information about the checks and documents that you or your staff used to verify them.
These identity checks must meet the Companies House identity verification standard – this could include:
- Names
- Dates
- Home address
- Expiry dates
- Country of issue
… and more.
Note that this is different to due diligence checks to prevent money laundering.
How to register for ACSP
If you hold a senior position in your business, for example, as a director, you’ll need to complete the registration process to become an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). So, what happens during the registration process?
You’ll be required to verify your identity and provide details about your business during the application. A one-off registration fee of £55 applies.
Once your registration is approved, you’ll receive a digital account and a unique identity number. These will allow you to file information and carry out identity verification on behalf of your clients.
After your small business is successfully registered as an ACSP, the senior official who completed the registration can grant access to other authorised team members by adding them to the agent account.
Do you need to let Companies House know that you’ve registered as an ACSP?
Yes – as of 8th April 2025, you’ll need to be registered as an ACSP and tell Companies House that you have verified someone’s identity.
Similarly, from 18th November 2025, identity verification will become compulsory for all directors and PSCs.
How can Accountancy Solutions help directors stay ahead?
As a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider, Accountancy Solutions is qualified and ready to ensure you and your company are fully compliant, saving you significant time and preventing costly administrative errors. Here’s how we can help:
1. Handling director identity verification for you
Directors have two options for identity verification: directly with Companies House, or through an ACSP, like Accountancy Solutions. Opting for us to handle the ACSP offers a streamlined, professional approach. This is how:
- Avoid the hassle: Instead of navigating the application process and online systems yourself, we can perform the official checks for you. We are authorised by Companies House to carry out this verification.
- Expert compliance: We ensure the identity checks meet the precise Companies House identity verification standard, which is different from general Anti-Money Laundering (AML) due diligence. We handle the process of submitting the verification statement to Companies House on your behalf.
- Non-client directors welcome: Not an Accountancy Solutions client? No worries! We can still complete the identity verification check for your company’s directors. This is a valuable service for any limited company needing to ensure its officers are verified before the next Confirmation Statement is due.
2. Guiding your business through ACSP registration
While individual directors of a limited company do not need to register as an ACSP to file for their own company, your business will need to register if you file on behalf of clients. If your small business falls into this category (e.g., as an accountant, solicitor, or formation agent), we can help with:
- Eligibility and Compliance Review: We help you review the eligibility criteria, ensuring your business meets the requirement of being supervised by a UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) supervisory body.
- The Application Process: The ACSP registration process must be completed by a senior official (like a director), requiring their own identity verification and a one-off £55 fee. We can provide guidance to ensure your application, including correct AML supervisory body details, is submitted accurately to avoid rejection.
3. Ongoing compliance and governance support
Registration is just the start. As an ACSP, there are ongoing legal requirements, including maintaining AML registration and keeping records of identity checks for 7 years. Accountancy Solutions will:
- Maintaining Records: If we verify a client’s identity for you, we will keep the necessary records for the required period, removing this administrative burden from your in-house team.
- Peace of Mind: Using a formally authorised ACSP like us offers your business more credibility and increased protection against regulatory risk, assuring clients, partners, and investors that filings are handled to the required standard.
Not an Accountancy Solutions client? No worries! We can still complete a check for directors of your business.
When should I take action for the ACSP?
The deadline for third-party filing is approaching, and director verification is mandatory now.
We suggest you start preparing by verifying your own director identity well ahead of your Confirmation Statement due date. Whether you need us to handle your director verification or need guidance on registering your business as an ACSP, Accountancy Solutions is ready to help.
If you want us to take this burden off your hands or need further guidance on how to register for ACSP for your small business, speak to one of our accounting experts here.
Next, take a look at our guide on what you can claim as expenses as a limited company.