Does an LLP Need an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)?

Changes at Companies House have introduced new identity verification requirements for people involved in UK companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs).

One of the most important developments is the role of the Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), also known as a Companies House authorised agent.

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For LLP members, understanding when an ACSP may be needed — and what an ACSP can do — is becoming increasingly important.

What Is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider?

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider, or ACSP, is an individual or organisation registered with Companies House to carry out authorised activities on behalf of clients.

Typical ACSPs include accountants, solicitors and company formation agents.

To register as an ACSP, an agent must meet Companies House requirements and be supervised by a UK Anti-Money Laundering supervisory body.

Why Is This Relevant to an LLP?

Identity verification became a legal requirement at Companies House from 18 November 2025. Individuals who are the equivalent of company directors — which includes members of LLPs — are within the identity verification regime. Companies House guidance states that individual LLP members must verify their identity. For existing LLPs, identity verification information is linked to Companies House filings. The LLP confirmation statement requires identity verification details for current members where those details have not already been supplied.

Does Every LLP Have to Appoint an ACSP?

Not necessarily. An individual can verify their identity directly through the Companies House identity verification service using GOV.UK One Login, provided they can complete the required checks. Alternatively, they can ask an ACSP, such as an accountant or solicitor, to complete the identity verification process on their behalf.

Therefore, it is more accurate to say that an LLP may need or choose to use an ACSP, particularly where its members want a professional adviser to manage identity verification and Companies House compliance.

How Can an ACSP Help an LLP?

An ACSP can verify an individual's identity in accordance with the Companies House identity verification standard.

Once the verification has been completed and reported to Companies House, the individual receives a personal code. This code can then be used to connect the verified identity with relevant Companies House records.

For an LLP, this can be particularly useful where there are several members or where an accountant or other professional adviser already manages the LLP's Companies House affairs.

What Is a Companies House Personal Code?

After successful identity verification, Companies House issues an 11-character personal code.

The code belongs to the individual rather than the LLP.

A person generally verifies their identity once and then uses the same personal code when they need to demonstrate their verified status in connection with relevant appointments.

LLP members should therefore keep their personal codes secure while making them available to an authorised adviser where that adviser legitimately needs the code to complete a filing.

Can an Accountant Act as an ACSP?

Yes, potentially. Accountants are one of the types of professional agents that can become ACSPs. However, being an accountant does not automatically make a firm an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.

The accountant or accountancy practice must be registered with Companies House as an ACSP and meet the applicable Anti-Money Laundering supervision requirements.

Companies House publishes information about registered ACSPs, although its published list may not contain every registered provider.

ACSPs and Future Companies House Filing

The role of the ACSP extends beyond identity verification.

Companies House has confirmed that businesses filing information on behalf of clients will in future need to be registered as authorised agents. As of August 2026, Companies House states that filing on behalf of clients as an authorised agent is expected to begin no earlier than November 2026.

This makes ACSP registration increasingly important for accountancy practices, company formation agents and other professional firms that manage Companies House filings for LLP clients.

What Should LLPs Do Now?

LLPs should review the identity verification status of their individual members and make sure the information held at Companies House is accurate.

Where an LLP uses an accountant or company services provider, it may also be sensible to confirm whether that adviser is registered as an ACSP.

Using an ACSP can provide a professionally managed route for identity verification, particularly where members have difficulty using the direct Companies House verification service or where the LLP wants its compliance requirements managed centrally.

Conclusion

The introduction of Companies House identity verification has changed the compliance landscape for UK LLPs.

Individual LLP members are subject to identity verification requirements, and an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) can verify an individual's identity on behalf of Companies House.

An LLP does not automatically have to appoint an ACSP simply because it is an LLP. However, using a registered ACSP can provide a practical way to manage identity verification and, as Companies House develops its authorised-agent filing regime, other filing requirements handled by professional advisers.

For LLPs already using an accountant or company services provider, now is a good time to check whether that adviser is registered as a Companies House Authorised Corporate Service Provider.

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or professional advice. Companies House requirements and implementation dates may change, so the latest official guidance should be checked before taking action.