From 18 March 2025, accountants, solicitors, and trust and company service providers (TCSPs) registered for anti-money laundering supervision in the UK can apply to become authorised corporate service providers (ACSPs) with Companies House.
Initially voluntary, the ACSP regime will become mandatory from spring 2026 for third-party agents such as accountants and lawyers filing on behalf of companies. Registered ACSPs will be able to verify client identities and provide these details to Companies House, who will also have greater powers to strike off companies registered on a false basis.
Companies House will assess and authorise ACSPs, ensuring they are UK-registered and subject to anti-money laundering regulations.
A new identity verification service will follow on 8 April 2025 as an optional step for newly incorporated companies. By autumn 2025, new company registrations and directors must complete ID verification, with existing directors and persons with significant control (PSC) given 12 months to comply. This change will be part of the annual confirmation statement, affecting approximately seven million directors and PSCs.
Limited liability partnership (LLP) members must also verify their identity. Reforms to limited partnerships (LPs) are expected in spring 2026, aiming to improve transparency and accessibility of company information.
The roll-out was originally delayed from February due to IT issues, but these have now been resolved.
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