Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) explained

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) is a business or sole trader registered with Companies House to act for clients, such as an accountant, solicitor or company formation agent. Today ACSPs can verify the identity of directors and people with significant control (PSCs) on their behalf. In future every agent that files at Companies House for clients will need to be one.

What is an ACSP?

An ACSP is a Companies House authorised agent. The status was created by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 so Companies House knows who is putting information on the public register.

Companies House opened ACSP registration on 18 March 2025, and ACSPs have been able to verify identities since 8 April 2025. An ACSP can be a limited company, an LLP, a partnership or a sole trader. Every ACSP must stay registered with at least one UK anti-money laundering (AML) supervisory body, such as a professional body like ICAEW or ACCA, or HMRC.

What can an ACSP do?

ACSPs do two jobs, one now and one later.

When an ACSP verifies you, it checks your documents against the Companies House standard and tells Companies House. Your 11-character personal code is then emailed to the address the ACSP gave. See where to find your personal code.

Filing date. Companies House’s transition plan, updated 23 October 2026, says the presenter measures were moved on 5 August 2026 to no earlier than November 2027. Companies House will give at least six months’ notice. Its ACSP guidance page, last updated 19 June 2026, still says “no earlier than November 2026”; the later transition plan date is the current one.

Do you need an ACSP?

No. Directors and PSCs can verify for free online with GOV.UK One Login or at a Post Office. An ACSP is useful in these cases:

• If you cannot use GOV.UK One Login, an ACSP can check your documents in person or remotely instead.
• If you live outside the UK, an ACSP can verify you from any country.
• If your accountant already handles your filings, they may verify you as part of the same service.
• If you are happy to do it yourself, you do not need one. Our guide on how to verify your identity covers each step.

ACSPs may charge. Companies House does not set their fees.

How ACSPs verify identity

An ACSP must meet the Companies House identity verification standard, last updated 19 June 2026. It has six mandatory steps:

1. Collect the person’s details.
2. Obtain identity evidence.
3. Check the evidence is genuine.
4. Confirm the identity is real and belongs to the person.
5. Keep records.
6. Decide whether verification has succeeded.

There are two document options. Option 1 uses identity document validation technology and one photo document, such as a biometric passport, UK photocard driving licence or eVisa. Option 2 is a check made by a person, using two documents: one photographic (Group A) and one such as a bank statement or utility bill (Group B). Checks can be in person or remote, but a remote check must clearly show the person’s face.

Who can register, and what it costs

A sole trader can register themselves. For a firm, someone in a senior role must apply, such as a director, partner or LLP member. The applicant must verify their own identity first.

You will need your AML supervisor’s name and your membership or firm ID, which must match the supervisor’s records. A limited company or LLP also needs its company number and authentication code. The registration fee is £63 online, from 1 February 2026, up from £55 at launch.

Accountants can read the full process in our guide to ACSP registration for accountants, and AML registration for accountants covers supervision.

What are an ACSP’s duties?

Registration brings ongoing legal duties under the Being an ACSP guidance:

• stay registered with at least one UK AML supervisory body
• tell Companies House about changes to the agent’s details within 14 days
• keep identity check records, including failed attempts, for 7 years
• give Companies House information on request about filings and checks

Non-compliance is an offence and can lead to a fine or prosecution. Companies House can also suspend or end ACSP status; a suspended agent has 28 days to provide requested information. Sole traders are personally responsible, and in a firm all officers are. See the third-party code of conduct for the conduct expected.

How to check an ACSP

1. Search the list of ACSPs, last updated 2 November 2026. It only includes agents who asked to be listed.
2. Check the list of ceased and suspended ACSPs. An agent on it cannot act as an ACSP.
3. Confirm fees, terms and whether checks are remote or in person before you hand over documents.

Companies House does not endorse or recommend any agent on its list.

Frequently asked questions

What does ACSP stand for?

ACSP stands for Authorised Corporate Service Provider. Companies House also calls it an authorised agent.

How much does it cost to register as an ACSP?

The Companies House registration fee is £63 online, from 1 February 2026. It was £55 when registration opened in March 2025.

Do accountants have to register as an ACSP?

Only if they want to verify clients’ identities for Companies House, for now. All agents filing for clients will need to register once the presenter measures start, no earlier than November 2027.

Can an ACSP verify someone who lives abroad?

Yes. Companies House says a person can be verified by an ACSP from any country, but the agent must be registered with Companies House.

How long must an ACSP keep identity records?

Seven years from the date of verification, including records of failed attempts.