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At directorverifications.com, we’re registered with Companies House as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) – which means we’re one of a select group of firms legally permitted to carry out identity verification on behalf of UK company directors, PSCs, and LLP members. If you’ve been asked to verify your identity under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) and you’re weighing up your options, this guide explains what ACSP services actually involve and why so many directors choose this route over the GOV.UK One Login system.
What Are Authorised Corporate Service Provider Services?
ACSP services cover the range of activities an Authorised Corporate Service Provider is permitted to carry out on behalf of Companies House. The core service – and the one most directors and PSCs will interact with – is identity verification: confirming that a director, PSC, LLP member, or Limited Partnership partner is who they say they are, using government-issued ID documents such as passports and driving licences.
Beyond identity checks, ACSPs are also typically authorised to handle certain company filings and administrative submissions to Companies House on behalf of clients. However, for most individuals affected by ECCTA, it’s the identity verification service that matters most right now – and it’s the service directorverifications.com specialises in.
Why “Authorised” Matters
Not every business can call itself an ACSP. To gain authorisation, a firm must already be registered with a recognised anti-money laundering (AML) supervisory body – in our case, HMRC – and pass Companies House’s own fit-and-proper checks. This means ACSP status isn’t just a badge; it’s a regulatory commitment. When you use an ACSP, you’re using a service that’s actively supervised, not a business operating outside the regulatory perimeter.
Why Choose ACSP Services Over GOV.UK One Login?
Companies House offers a free, self-service identity verification route through GOV.UK One Login. So why would anyone pay for ACSP services instead? In practice, several reasons come up again and again:
A Smoother, App-Free Experience
GOV.UK One Login typically requires downloading a dedicated app and completing the process entirely by yourself. With directorverifications.com, there’s no app to install – you complete a simple online process, and our expert verification partner does the technical work for you.
Higher First-Time Success Rates
Some users, particularly those with non-UK passports or older document types, report the GOV.UK app rejecting valid documents. Because ACSP verification is checked and submitted by trained professionals, the risk of an avoidable rejection is significantly reduced.
Human Support When You Need It
Self-service tools don’t answer the phone. If something goes wrong with a GOV.UK submission, you’re often left to troubleshoot alone. With an ACSP, there’s a real team behind the process who can guide you if an issue comes up.
Speed Options
Standard turnaround with directorverifications.com is 24–48 hours, and a fast-track, same-day service is available for anyone working against a deadline.
Who Needs ACSP Identity Verification Services?
Under ECCTA, the requirement to verify identity applies to a wide range of people connected to UK companies:
- Company directors of UK-registered companies
- Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) – individuals who own or control a company
- LLP members
- General partners of UK Limited Partnerships
This applies whether you’re based in the UK or living overseas. UK companies overseas directors are subject to exactly the same verification requirement as those based in the UK, and ACSP services are often the more practical route for anyone verifying from abroad.
How ACSP Verification Works
The process with directorverifications.com has been designed to be simple from start to finish:
- Sign up by selecting the standard or fast-track service and completing payment.
- Start verification using the link automatically sent to your inbox.
- Scan your ID document – such as a passport or driving licence – and take a quick scan of your face.
- Our verification partner checks your documents against the official Companies House standard.
- We submit your verification through the official Companies House ACSP portal.
- You receive your personal code – a unique 11-character code sent directly to your inbox by Companies House, confirming your identity has been verified.
That code is yours for life and covers every UK company role you hold, now and in future.
What Happens If You Don’t Verify?
Companies House has been clear about the consequences of non-compliance. Directors, PSCs, and LLP members who fail to verify their identity can expect strongly worded warning letters in the first instance, with continued non-compliance leading to financial penalties and potential prosecution. Companies House can also block non-compliant individuals from filing documents and prevent them from taking on new director roles at other companies. Given the scale of these consequences, getting verified through a reliable ACSP sooner rather than later is a sensible, low-effort step.
Conclusion
ACSP services exist to give directors, PSCs, and LLP members a regulated, professional alternative to self-service identity verification – and for many people, they’re simply the easier, faster, and more reliable option. As an ACSP registered with Companies House and supervised by HMRC for AML compliance, directorverifications.com has built its entire process around removing the friction from ECCTA compliance: no apps, no guesswork, and a real team behind every submission.
If you still need to verify your identity, don’t wait for a Companies House deadline reminder to force your hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does an ACSP do?
An ACSP is a firm authorised by Companies House to verify identities and handle certain filings on behalf of directors, PSCs, and LLP members.
Is using an ACSP the same as verifying directly with Companies House?
Yes – both routes are checked against the identical Companies House verification standard, so an ACSP carries the same legal weight as GOV.UK One Login.
How much does ACSP verification cost with directorverifications.com?
The standard service is £24.99, with a £39.99 fast-track option for same-day turnaround.
Can overseas directors use ACSP services? Yes – ACSP verification is available to directors, PSCs, and LLP members regardless of where they’re based in the world.
Do I need to verify again for each company I’m a director of?
No – your personal code, once issued, applies to every UK company role you hold, so you only need to verify once.
