ACSP & identity verification for Companies House

Statutory identity verification of directors and PSCs – fast, online, with no need to travel to the UK

Since October 2024, identity verification has been mandatory for all directors and PSCs of British companies. Without a valid verification you cannot validly act as a director or appear as a PSC on the Companies House register. As a registered ACSP we carry out this verification for you – anywhere in the world.

What is ACSP identity verification?

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA) introduced the obligation to verify the identity of everyone who is, or is to be, registered at Companies House as a director or PSC (Person with Significant Control). This verification can be carried out by:

Companies House directly (requires a British identity document), or
A registered ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider) – such as our firm

For international clients without British documents, verification through an ACSP is in practice the only available route, because the Companies House portal accepts British documents. We carry out the verification on the basis of your passport or national identity card.

How the verification works

Contact us – tell us who needs to be verified (director, PSC, or both)
Send your documents – send us a scan of your passport or identity card + a selfie with the document, or a video verification
KYC check – we run the check in line with UK AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations
Filing with Companies House – after successful verification we submit the result directly into the Companies House system through our ACSP authorisation
Verification confirmation – you receive confirmation that your identity has been verified and recorded

We usually complete the whole process within 24–48 hours of receiving the complete documents.

When you need identity verification

Forming a new company

Every director of a newly formed British Ltd or LLP must have their identity verified before registration at Companies House.

Change of director or PSC

A new director joining, or a change in the ownership structure? The new person must complete the verification before the change is filed.

Existing companies

Directors and PSCs of existing companies had to complete the verification by the statutory deadline. If the verification has not yet been done, it must be remedied without delay.

What you need to have ready

Passport or national identity card (valid, fully legible scan or photo)
A selfie with the document or a short face-verification video
Residential address (can be anywhere in the world)
The British company number (SC or other prefix) the verification relates to

🏛️ Our ACSP accreditation – what ACSP registration means and how we are authorised

🏗️ UK Company Formation – a complete guide to registering a British Ltd

⚖️ Legal and Compliance – all legal and corporate services

🏢 Ready-made companies – established British companies including identity verification

ACSP & Identity Verification