Published: 13 February 2025 5:37 pm  Author: Oliver Stanley

Companies House IDV and ACSP update – Feb 2025

Key Takeaways

 

25 February 2025:

• Regulated bodies that already carry out ID checks as part of existing AML processes can start to register with Companies House as an ACSP.
• This will cost £55.
• This will provide the ACSP with an ‘ACSP Unique ID’ that they will need to (i) complete IDV for their clients to obtain a Personal Code and (ii) in future filings they make at Companies House which contain ID verifications details.

Late March 2025:

• Individuals will be able to apply online themselves directly via OneLogin to complete IDV to obtain their own Personal Code.  This will be free.
• ACSPs will be able to start registering their clients for IDV to obtain a Personal Code.

No earlier than August 2025:

• All existing directors, PSC and LLP members will be required to verify their identity at Companies House (using their Personal Code) when filing the next confirmation statement that falls due in the next 12 month period.
• All relevant stakeholders will need to include their Personal Code in new incorporations.
• All relevant stakeholders will need to include their Personal Code when being appointed as a new director, PSC or LLP member.

During 2026:

• Anyone filing information through to Companies House (ie as a presenter) will need to verify their identity.
• Any third party agents filing on behalf of companies will need to be registered as an ACSP.
• Companies House be able to reject documents delivered by disqualified directors.
• Companies House will require all limited partnerships to submit more information, providing greater transparency for users of the register.

 

Companies House will be implementing new address standards.

 

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Disclaimer: this post is based on recent informal discussions with Companies House, who was happy for us to share the details of our conversation.  All of the information is indicative and based on that conversation – please refer to the relevant legislation, regulations etc as they are published and become avaiable.  Kudocs will be monitoring these changes and ensuring that the Kudocs system keeps up to date with any necessary changes and provides users with the necessary information.  For more specific information, please contact Kudocs directly (we will share anything we can) or seek professional advice.

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ACSP registration

Companies House continues to make progress towards implementation of the IDV requirements under ECCTA.  The first major step begins shortly (25 February 2025) when companies or individuals who are currently regulated for AML will be able to register with Companies House as Authorised Corporate Service Providers (“ACSP”). This will cost £55.  By registering, the ACSP will obtain an ‘ACSP Unique ID’.  This will be required for that ACSP to (i) complete IDV for their clients to obtain a Personal Code and (ii) in future filings they make at Companies House which contain ID verifications details.

The ACSP registration process should be simple.  A senior member of the organisation will need to register via the new portal and complete ID checks themselves.  They will need to provide certain details about their organisation/ business (including their existing AML registration number from their relevant regulatory body).  Once the organisation has been registered, Companies House will provide the ACSP UID and that individual will be able to add other team members to it’s account.  Those team members will not need to complete ID checks.

 

IDV

In late March 2025 (approx 1 month after ACSP registration opens), individuals will be able to apply online themselves directly via OneLogin to complete IDV and obtain own Personal Code.  At the same time, ACSPs will be able to login to a different portal and complete IDV for their clients.  For data protection reasons, Companies House will email the Personal Code directly to the individual and not the ACSP – this is worth noting and reminding client about/ asking them to forward the Personal Code to their ACSP for future filings.

From March will be a period of ‘voluntary IDV’ to allow individuals and ACSPs to get ready for the implementation of the compulsory element – which will be no earlier than August 2025.  After that, all future relevant filings (confirmation statements, incorporations, etc) will require the Personal Code to be included as part of the submission.

Kudocs will continue to make any necessary changes to its systems for all its customers to ensure we support these new changes.  We will be updating you over the coming months about these changes.

If you have any questions or comments on this, please do let us know.