What is an ACSP?
An authorised corporate service provider (ACSP) is a business registered with Companies House as an authorised agent, so it can verify people’s identities for Companies House and file on behalf of clients. To register, the business must be supervised for anti-money laundering by a UK AML supervisor. Accountants, solicitors and company formation agents are typical ACSPs.
The role comes from the identity verification changes under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. Directors and people with significant control (PSCs) can verify for free through GOV.UK One Login, or use an ACSP, who may charge a fee.
The rules for ACSPs
| Rule | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| AML supervision | The business must be registered with at least one UK AML supervisory body, and stay registered | GOV.UK authorised agent guidance |
| Who applies | Someone in a senior role, such as a director, partner, member or sole trader, who has verified their own identity with Companies House first | GOV.UK authorised agent guidance |
| Identity standard | Verification must meet the Companies House identity verification standard, which is different from customer due diligence under the MLRs | GOV.UK guidance on telling Companies House you have verified someone |
| Records | Record how the documents were checked (by a person or identity document validation technology), which documents, when, and reference details; keep records and copies for 7 years | Same |
| Consequences | Failing to meet the standard or provide records can lead to suspension or removal of authorised agent status | Same |
Sources: GOV.UK: applying to register as a Companies House authorised agent (updated 19 June 2026); GOV.UK: tell Companies House you have verified someone’s identity (updated 19 June 2026).
Key dates
- 18 November 2025: identity verification became mandatory for new directors and PSCs.
- 17 November 2026: the 12-month transitional period for existing directors ends. Existing directors verify by giving their personal code in the company’s next confirmation statement in that period (SI 2025/1118, reg 4).
- No earlier than November 2027: Companies House says people who file will need to verify, and agents filing for clients will need to be ACSPs, with at least six months’ notice.
See our guide to the 17 November 2026 deadline, and add the dates to your calendar from the AML deadlines page.
What this means for an accounting or legal practice
- Decide whether to register. If you file for clients, you will need ACSP status once filing rules change. Registering now also lets you verify clients before the 17 November 2026 deadline.
- Keep two processes apart. A Companies House identity check and your AML customer due diligence are different duties with different standards and record periods (7 years for ACSP checks, 5 years after the relationship ends for MLR records). One does not replace the other.
- Check your AML supervision is in order. ACSP status depends on it. Use the AML supervisor checker if you are unsure.
For a step-by-step list, read the Companies House ID verification checklist for directors and PSCs and the ACSP guide for accountants.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be an ACSP to verify my own identity?
No. Directors and PSCs can verify themselves for free through GOV.UK One Login. ACSPs are for businesses that verify other people or file for clients.
Is an ACSP check the same as an AML check?
No. An ACSP verifies identity to the Companies House standard. Your AML checks under the Money Laundering Regulations cover more, including beneficial ownership, screening and ongoing monitoring, and have their own record-keeping rules.
Who can become an ACSP?
A business supervised by a UK AML supervisory body, applied for by someone in a senior role who has verified their own identity first. Not all businesses are eligible for AML supervision, so not all can register.
How AML Buddy helps
AML Buddy does not do Companies House identity verification. It covers the separate AML side: your client verifies their ID document with a selfie through one secure link, and AML Buddy matches their address and screens them against sanctions, PEP and adverse media sources, with a timestamped PDF report. See pricing.