Companies House Identity Verification 2025: ACSP Guide

The brave new world of Companies House compliance

Once upon a time, Companies House compliance was a gentle nag, easily tamed with a stern email and a half-remembered password.

No more. With the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (2023) on the books, Companies House now has more powers than a caffeine-fuelled auditor.

The result? A wave of new requirements, particularly around identity verification and a collective scramble from accountants, company secretaries, and partners to keep up.

Companies House identity verification is no longer just a buzzword, it’s the new reality of corporate compliance in 2025. With the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (2023), accountants, directors, and company officers are facing a brave new world of filings and ACSP registration.

Who really needs Companies House identity verification?

Let’s not pretend this only affects “the big players.” The net is wide:

• Directors

• Members (yes, even you, committee types)

• General partners

• Managing officers

• Persons with Significant Control (PSC)

• Company secretaries or anyone filing on a company’s behalf

If you want anything filed (legally) to Companies House, your identity needs to be verified. No more hiding behind the post room.

How does Companies House identity verification work?

Ah, the bureaucrat’s favourite test: show us your papers. You’ll need:

• A biometric passport (any country)

• A UK full or provisional photo driving licence

• A UK biometric residence permit (BRP)

• A UK biometric residence card (BRC)

• A UK Frontier Worker permit (FWP)

Bonus: No “I forgot my ID at home” excuses. If you still have trouble, perhaps a career in Victorian smuggling was your true calling.

When Companies House identity verification is required?

More often than you’d like, and sooner than you think:

• Before filing the business’s first confirmation statement

• When submitting a new confirmation statement post-change implementation

• If a new director or PSC is appointed

Identity verification, like your mother-in-law’s opinion, lasts forever unless there’s a major update (like a name or address change). In that case, time to verify again. This rule isn’t so much a hoop as a recurring obstacle course.

ACSPs: Who, what, and why bother?

“Authorised Corporate Service Provider” (ACSP) is the new badge of credibility, think of it as a high-vis for accountants and legal professionals. If you’re planning to:

• Verify identities for Companies House,

• Or file on behalf of a business,

you’ll need to wear the ACSP badge. Companies House only accepts filings from those it trusts; a random “well-meaning friend of the business” isn’t going to cut it.

How to actually become an ACSP (without losing your mind)

Here’s your step-by-step:

1. A senior officer (think: someone who can reliably make decisions or, failing that, attend meetings) applies

2. Supply up-to-date AML (Anti-Money Laundering) supervisory registration details (because we all love paperwork)

3. Verify your identity (yes, even for you)

4. Pay a one-off £55 fee (cheaper than a dinner out, but less fun)

5. Receive your shiny new digital ACSP account

Registration done, you can begin advertising (discreetly) that you’re now the compliance kingpin your clients need.

Warning: With limited partnerships required to use ACSPs from 2026, early registration is advisable, unless you enjoy digital queues.

Best practice support for new ACSPs

Being an ACSP isn’t just good for your regulatory credentials; it’s a public declaration of reputable business practice. But don’t go it alone:

• Inform Direct is your new secret weapon in Companies House identity verification:

• Streamlined, click-to-verify processes

• Automated deadline and verification reminders (for when you’ve had “one of those Mondays”)

• Secure, encrypted cloud storage (because ransomware does not make friends)

• Designed by accountants, for accountants (which means it actually works and is supported by humans, not robots)

• Backed by Bright, the platform is a haven for anyone lost in UK corporate compliance wilderness.

If you get stuck, the expert team is ready to support, even the gnarliest filings. Why not keep your clients compliant, your risk low, and your sleep uninterrupted?

FAQs

1. How long does identity verification last and what if something changes?Forever, unless you legally change your name or address. In that case, dust off your paperwork and verify again.

2. What documents really work if I’m not from the UK?Biometric passport. If in doubt, check the current Companies House list.

3. Will busy periods delay ACSP application approval?Almost certainly, especially as the 2026 LP deadline approaches. Early birds, etc.

4. How do I tell clients about these changes without causing panic?With facts, deadlines, and a dash of wit (copy this article, if you must).

5. Can Inform Direct really help streamline my compliance?Yes. Workflow automation and reminders save hours of admin and prevent missed filings.

6. What are the penalties for non-compliance?Blocked filings, potential fines, and a starring role in Companies House case studies. Don’t risk it.

Further reading –

What do accountants need to know about the changes to identity verification for Companies House filings

This content may have been developed with the assistance of AI tools. Content is reviewed by a member of the Bright team before publication. Guidance on legislation can be obtained from your industry body.