Are you a third-party provider planning on carrying out identity verification checks for Companies House on behalf of your clients? Mark your calendar, as authorised corporate service provider (ACSP) registration opens on 25 February 2025. To register, you must be supervised by a UK anti-money laundering body.
Firms will need to register to be an ACSP if they wish to file information at Companies House on behalf of their clients or if they plan to verify the identity of directors.
Key information for ACSP registration:
- When registering to become an ACSP, you will be asked for a reference number to prove you have AML supervision in place. This will be your C0 or A0 firm number.
- Your firm information held on ICAEW’s records, such as your business name and address, must match the information you’re providing to Companies House, otherwise your ACSP application will be rejected. It’s therefore important that you ensure your business details held by ICAEW are always up-to-date.
- Identity verification checks by ACSPs must meet the same level of assurance as those who verify directly with Companies House, and firms will need to allow additional time for these checks when providing services to company clients, such as company formation.
Guidance for ACSPs around identity verification requirements will be published by Companies House in due course.
