New Identity Verification and ACSP Rules from Companies House – What You Need to Know
New Identity Verification and ACSP Rules from Companies House – What You Need to Know
As of 2025, Companies House has implemented new regulations for Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) as part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. These changes are designed to increase transparency, improve the integrity of the company register, and ensure that only verified, legitimate companies operate in the UK.
At Heriot Hughes, we are proud to be a registered ACSP, and we’re here to help businesses navigate these changes smoothly and remain compliant.
What Are ACSPs?
An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) is an entity authorised to file documents on behalf of clients with Companies House. This includes filings such as:
- Incorporations
- Confirmation statements
- Changes to company officers or PSCs (Persons with Significant Control)
- Updates to registered office addresses
Only ACSPs are permitted to file on behalf of third parties under the new regime, and they must complete identity verification checks before submitting filings.
Key Changes Under the New Rules
1. Mandatory Identity Verification
All company directors, PSCs, and individuals filing documents must now undergo identity verification. This is a major step toward improving trust and transparency in UK business.
2. Restrictions on Filing
From now on, only:
- The individual themselves, or
- A registered ACSP
may file with Companies House.
3. New Obligations for ACSPs
As a registered ACSP, we are now required to:
- Conduct identity checks on our clients before any filings are made
- Maintain records of these checks
- File documents digitally on our clients’ behalf
How We Can Help
As an authorised and fully compliant ACSP, Heriot Hughes offers:
- Fast, compliant company formations
- Identity verification for directors and PSCs
- Ongoing compliance support and filings
- Secure, efficient document submission to Companies House
We handle the process from start to finish — saving you time and ensuring full compliance with the new legal requirements.
Need Help with Filings?
If you’re unsure about how the new rules affect your business, or you need support filing documents under the new ACSP framework, we’re here to help.
📞 Contact us today to speak with one of our compliance specialists.
📧 enquiries@heriothughes.co.uk
🌐 www.heriothughes.co.uk
