Companies House identity verification is now a real, practical compliance job for UK business owners — not a box you can ignore until “later”.

By now, you’ve probably heard the buzzwords: "identity verification," "Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act," and the ever-mysterious "ACSP."

If you’re a director of a limited company, a Person with Significant Control (PSC), or someone who files documents for a business, the rules have changed. You can’t just pinky-promise you are who you say you are anymore. Companies House wants proof.

The big question we’re getting asked is: “Do I really need an ACSP to do this for me, or can I handle it myself?”

Let’s look at what the new rules mean in practice, what an ACSP actually does, and when using one is the simplest way to stay compliant.

The New Reality of Companies House

For years, Companies House was a bit like an unattended honesty box. You told them you were a director, you gave them an address, and they took your word for it. Unfortunately, that made it a bit too easy for the wrong people to set up shop.

Since the rollout of the new identity verification rules in late 2025, that era is officially over. Now, every new and existing director must have their identity verified. If you don’t, you could face hefty fines (we’re talking thousands of £), a tainted corporate record, or even criminal prosecution.

Visual: Keeping on top of identity checks and filings without the drama.

What on Earth is an ACSP?

ACSP stands for Authorised Corporate Service Provider.

In plain English? It’s a firm (like us!) that has been vetted and authorised by Companies House to carry out identity checks on their behalf.

Think of it as a "fast-pass" at a theme park. While everyone else is stuck in the main queue trying to figure out which button to press, an ACSP has the direct line to get things done correctly and legally. As a small business accountant, Perpetual Accountancy is a registered ACSP. This means we are officially trusted to verify your identity and handle your filings so you don’t have to deal with the Gov.uk gremlins yourself.

Can You Do It Yourself? (The Truth)

The short answer is: Yes, you can.

You don’t have to use an ACSP. Companies House has its own direct verification service. You can download an app, take a photo of your passport, and do a "liveness check" (the digital version of "blink if you’re a real person").

However, just because you can do your own plumbing doesn't mean you want to be under the sink on a Friday night. For many busy directors: especially those in high-pressure industries like the CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) or fast-moving sectors like Hair & Beauty: the DIY route is often more hassle than it’s worth.

The Pitfalls of the DIY Route:

• Technical Glitches: We’ve all been there: the app doesn’t recognise your face, your passport chip won’t scan, or the system crashes halfway through.
• Time: If you have multiple directors or PSCs, coordinating everyone to do their own verification is like herding cats.
• Privacy Risks: Doing it yourself often leads to people accidentally using their home address for everything, which we’ll get to in a moment.

Why Using Perpetual (Your ACSP) is a No-Brainer

When you work with a cloud accounting specialist like Perpetual, we don't just "check an ID card." We build the verification into your overall Companies House compliance so it’s done properly and stays tidy.

1. Privacy and keeping your details consistent

One of the biggest blunders we see is accidentally putting the wrong address on Companies House filings (often a home address) and then having to unwind it later. Once it’s on Companies House, it’s on the public record.

As your ACSP, we focus on ID verification and keeping your Companies House compliance in good order — so the right people are verified, and your filings are handled cleanly and consistently.

2. We Handle the Nitty-Gritty for CIS and Trades

If you’re working on-site all day in the construction industry, the last thing you want to do when you get home is fiddle with identity verification apps. We know our CIS clients value their time. By letting us act as your ACSP, we ensure your company remains in good standing while you’re out building the world.

Visual: Straightforward ID checks and Companies House compliance for CIS contractors and trades.

3. Professional Peace of Mind

When we verify you, we keep a record that meets the highest anti-money laundering (AML) standards. If Companies House ever comes knocking with questions, you just point them to us. We’re your shield.

Looking Ahead: MTD for Income Tax 2026

We can't talk about 2026 without mentioning the elephant in the room: Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax.

With the April 2026 deadline getting closer, getting your identity verification and Companies House record in order now is a smart move. If your director/PSC details are messy, it tends to slow everything else down — including basic admin like opening bank accounts, applying for finance, or keeping compliance tasks moving.

At Perpetual, we help clients line these bits up properly so you’re not scrambling later.

Don’t Leave It Until It Becomes a Problem

With Companies House tightening up checks, the "wait and see" approach to ID verification is a risky one. Whether you’re a limited company director, a salon owner, a personal trainer, or a CIS contractor, it’s better to get it sorted while it’s straightforward — not when you’re mid-application for finance or trying to file something urgently.

Visual: Keep your identity verification and filings clean, consistent, and easy to evidence if anyone asks.

The Verdict: Do You Need Us?

Technically, you can verify your ID yourself. But practically? Using an ACSP like Perpetual Accountancy means:

• No more worrying about Companies House deadlines.
• Total privacy for your home address.
• Expert support if things go wrong.
• A seamless link between your identity, your company filings, and your cloud accounting.

We’re here to take the "boring" stuff off your plate so you can focus on the bits of your business that actually make you money (or just enjoy the racing at Cheltenham without a nagging feeling that you’ve forgotten a filing).

Visual: DIY can work, but an ACSP can make the process simpler and more controlled.

Ready to Get Verified?

Don't let your compliance fall at the first hurdle. If you're a director and you haven't sorted your ID verification yet: or if you're worried your home address is currently plastered all over the public record: give us a shout.

As your friendly small business accountant, we’ll keep it simple and get you properly sorted.

Give Sean and the team a call, or head over to our Contact Us page to get started.

And if you’re looking for more ways to stay on top of compliance, check out our recent post on preparing for the April wage hike.