Companies House Identity Verification Is Now Mandatory: ACSP Services in Central London by Staple Inn Notaries
- S Najam
- May 9
- 4 min read
Staple Inn Notaries is a highly rated Central London notary firm providing Companies House identity verification and Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) services for UK and international clients.
The new Companies House identity verification regime introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 now makes identity verification mandatory for many individuals connected with UK companies, including company directors, Persons with Significant Control (PSCs), LLP members, and individuals filing documents at Companies House.
Failure to comply may result in criminal offences, financial penalties, rejection of filings, inability to act as a director, and significant disruption to companies and international business structures.
Staple Inn Notaries assists UK and overseas clients with Companies House identity verification requirements from its Central London offices in Holborn, approximately two minutes from Chancery Lane Station.
What Is Companies House Identity Verification?
Companies House identity verification is a new legal requirement introduced by the UK government to improve transparency, reduce fraud, combat economic crime, and strengthen the integrity of the UK corporate register.
Under the new framework, individuals connected with UK companies must verify their identity either:
Directly through Companies House, or
Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
An ACSP is a supervised professional or regulated firm authorised to carry out identity verification procedures for Companies House purposes.
Staple Inn Notaries provides ACSP-related support for:
Company directors
Overseas directors
Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)
Shareholders
Entrepreneurs
International business owners
Investors
LLP members
UK subsidiaries of overseas companies
International corporate groups
Important Companies House Identity Verification Dates
The implementation of the Companies House identity verification regime has taken place in stages.
18 March 2025 – ACSP Registration Opened
Professional firms became able to register as Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs) for Companies House identity verification purposes.
8 April 2025 – Voluntary Identity Verification Began
Individuals became able to voluntarily verify their identity in advance of the mandatory implementation period.
18 November 2025 – Identity Verification Became Mandatory
From 18 November 2025, identity verification became mandatory for:
Newly appointed company directors
Existing company directors
Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)
LLP members
Individuals filing information at Companies House
This also marked the start of the transition period for existing officers and PSCs.
November 2026 – Expected End of Transition Period
Existing directors and PSCs are expected to complete identity verification during the transition period ending approximately November 2026.
Spring 2026 Onwards – Filing Restrictions and ACSP Requirements
Companies House is expected to introduce additional filing restrictions and mandatory ACSP requirements for third-party filings during 2026.
These reforms represent one of the most significant changes to UK company compliance and corporate transparency rules in recent years.
Who Needs to Verify Their Identity?
Identity verification requirements may apply to:
UK company directors
Overseas directors of UK companies
Persons with Significant Control (PSCs)
LLP members
Shareholders involved in management or control
Individuals incorporating companies
Individuals filing documents at Companies House
International business owners operating through UK entities
The new rules particularly affect internationally connected businesses, overseas investors, and foreign nationals involved in UK corporate structures.
Penalties for Failure to Comply
Failure to complete mandatory Companies House identity verification requirements may expose individuals and businesses to serious legal and commercial consequences.
Potential consequences include:
Criminal offences
Financial penalties and fines
Rejection of company filings
Inability to act as a director
Restrictions on company activities
Delays to transactions and incorporations
Increased regulatory scrutiny
Compliance breaches
Potential director disqualification issues
Banking and investment complications
For businesses engaged in international trade, overseas investment, corporate structuring, banking, finance, or cross-border transactions, failure to comply may create substantial operational and reputational risks.
ACSP Services for Overseas Directors and International Clients
Staple Inn Notaries regularly assists overseas and internationally connected clients requiring identity verification support for Companies House compliance purposes.
The firm frequently acts for:
Overseas directors
International entrepreneurs
Foreign investors
Cross-border corporate groups
International shareholders
Non-UK residents connected with UK companies
International advisers and intermediaries
As a Central London notary practice experienced in international corporate transactions and cross-border legal documentation, the firm is particularly well positioned to assist clients operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Why Clients Choose Staple Inn Notaries for Companies House Identity Verification
Clients choose Staple Inn Notaries because of its:
Highly rated Central London reputation
Experience with international corporate transactions
Familiarity with Companies House compliance requirements
International and cross-border expertise
Experience assisting overseas directors and foreign investors
Efficient and responsive service
Accessible Holborn location near Chancery Lane Station
Experience with identity verification, apostille, and international legal documentation
The firm combines international notarial expertise with broader experience in private wealth, international corporate structures, compliance, and cross-border legal affairs.
Convenient Central London Location Near Chancery Lane Station
Staple Inn Notaries is based at:
Fox Court
14 Gray’s Inn Road
Holborn
London WC1X 8HN
The office is situated approximately 2 minutes’ walk from Chancery Lane Station, making it conveniently accessible from:
Holborn WC1
Farringdon EC1
City of London EC4
Soho W1
King’s Cross WC1
Canary Wharf E14
Mayfair W1
Shoreditch EC2
Easy Appointment Booking
Appointments for Companies House identity verification and ACSP-related matters may be arranged quickly and conveniently.
Telephone
020 3488 4195
Online Booking
About the Author
Sheikh Najam is a City of London-based Notary/Notaire authorised to practise law throughout England & Wales, appointed by the Court of Faculties and regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
He is also a European Attorney, STEP-qualified Private Wealth Lawyer (TEP), Associate Member of the International Compliance Association, and accredited mediator, advising UK and international clients on cross-border corporate structures, Companies House compliance matters, trusts, estates, international legal documentation, private wealth arrangements, and sophisticated international transactions.
Through Staple Inn Notaries, he regularly advises directors, investors, entrepreneurs, international businesses, and overseas clients on complex compliance and cross-border corporate matters from the firm’s offices in Holborn, Central London.
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