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ACSP (Authorised Corporate Service Provider) / Identity Verification
Under new rules introduced by the UK’s Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, directors and People with Significant Control (PSCs) of UK companies are now legally required to verify their identities with Companies House.
We’re Registered As An Authorised Corporate Service Provider
This verification can be done through a company-formation agent that is registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
ACSPs act as trusted intermediaries: once registered with Companies House and regulated under UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules, they are authorised to check identities on behalf of their clients.
Ana Elizabeth Goncalves Afonso is a registered ACSP and is authorised to carry out verifications.
Identity Verification Personal Code
Once an identity verification is successful, Companies House issues a unique 11-character personal code to the individual. This code is personal (it belongs to the individual, not the company) and is used to formally link their verified identity to their roles on the Companies House register. If the verification is done via an ACSP, the personal code is sent directly to the email address that we will supply to Companies House for that individual. Once received, the individual can share the code with someone they trust to file on their behalf (for example, an accountant or company secretary).
From the 18th November 2025, this code will become mandatory in several contexts:
- Directors must provide their personal code when filing their Confirmation Statement.
- PSCs must submit their code (along with a verification statement) within a 14-day window, depending on their circumstances.
Identity Verification FAQs
Why is identity verification required?
The new verification requirement helps to boost transparency and reduce fraud. By confirming the true identities of the people controlling companies, Companies House can improve the reliability of its register, making it harder for bad actors to abuse corporate structures.
What happens if someone doesn’t verify?
Failing to complete identity verification when required can lead to legal consequences: Companies House states that acting as a director without having verified identity once duties commence may be unlawful, and PSCs could face penalties.
ACSP Fees
At Castelo Notaries, we charge £175 plus VAT for each verification we conduct for Companies House.
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