Summary

Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) is a new Companies House classification for third‑party providers (e.g., accountants, solicitors, formation agents) introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 to strengthen identity verification and filing integrity on the public register. Registration opened on 18 March 2025 and is currently only required for those wishing to verify clients’ identities before filing on their behalf; the identity verification requirement is voluntary until autumn 2025, when it becomes mandatory for new directors and PSCs at appointment or incorporation (with a 12‑month transition for existing officers). From spring 2026, any third‑party provider filing any document on behalf of a company must be registered as an ACSP. Until then, you do not need ACSP status to file routine accounts for existing clients, unless you choose to perform identity checks. (GOV.UK)

What is an ACSP?

• Definition: An ACSP is a business covered by UK Money Laundering Regulations—such as professional service providers (accountants, solicitors) or trust and company service providers—which must be supervised by an approved UK Anti‑Money Laundering body to verify identities and file documents with Companies House on behalf of clients. (Companies House Blog)

• Agent status: ACSPs are also known as “authorised agents” in Companies House parlance; once registered, you hold an agent account allowing you to add staff and submit filings. (GOV.UK)

• Purpose: It helps Companies House know who is filing information and ensure proper identity checks, thereby deterring misuse of the register. (GOV.UK)

Key Dates & Phased Roll‑Out

Applicability: Existing Clients vs. New Incorporations

• Existing clients (current filings)

  You do not need ACSP registration to file routine accounts for your existing clients up to spring 2026, unless you opt to perform identity checks on their directors or PSCs during the voluntary window (from 8 April 2025). 

• New incorporations

  From autumn 2025, all newly appointed directors and PSCs must have their identity verified at the point of incorporation. If you wish to carry out that verification on their behalf, you must be a registered ACSP.

• Future filings

  After spring 2026, any third‑party submission—whether accounts, confirmation statements or other filings—will require ACSP status. (Companies House Blog)

What Should You Do?

1. Assess your client work:

   • If you only file accounts without verifying identities, you can continue as normal until spring 2026.

   • If you plan to verify identities (voluntarily or because of new incorporations), apply now. 

    

2. Register as an ACSP:

   • Registration opened on 18 March 2025 via the Companies House service - Apply Here

   • Fee: £55 per business to register. (Companies House Blog)

    

3. Prepare your processes:

   • Put in place AML‑supervision confirmation.

   • Train staff on the identity‑verification service.

   • Update client engagement letters to include identity‑check services - Additional wording for LOE 

   By planning ahead—particularly for the autumn 2025 identity‑verification mandate and the spring 2026 filing requirement—you’ll ensure seamless compliance for both existing clients and new incorporations.

Templates 

- Short Email to Clients 
- Long Email to Clients