Preparing for ECCTA: ACSP & Presenter ID requirements explained
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) 2023 introduces major reforms to identity verification for individuals making filings at Companies House, coming into effect in Spring 2026. These changes aim to strengthen corporate transparency and combat economic crime by ensuring only verified individuals or authorised agents can submit company information.
This article explains the new Authorised Corporate Service Provider (‘ACSP’) regime and presenter identification requirements, helping companies and professionals prepare for compliance — and how technology like Diligent Entities can make this process seamless and secure.
What are the ACSP and Presenter Identification requirements?
Under ECCTA, anyone filing documents on behalf of a company at Companies House must have their identity verified. This includes company directors, persons with significant control (PSCs), and importantly, the individuals, employees or third-partyorganisationssubmitting filings on behalf of a company.
To manage this, ECCTA introduces the concept of Authorised Corporate Service Providers (‘ACSPs’) — regulated entities authorised and registered with Companies House to verify identities and file on behalf of clients.
Only ACSPs or verified company officers/employees will be permitted to submit filings from Spring/Summer2026.
Who can become an ACSP?
ACSPs must be regulated under UK anti-money laundering (AML) laws and registered with Companies House. Typical ACSPs include:
- Solicitors and law firms
- Accountants and company formation agents
- Trust and company service providers
- Auditors and insolvency practitioners
They must be supervised by a recognised AML supervisory body (e.g., HMRC or a professional body) and undertake specific training in order to verify identities in line with the required Companies House standards.
Presenter identification requirements
From Spring 2026, Companies House will only accept filings from:
- Identity verified company officers or employees
- Registered ACSPs and their authorised personnel
This means third-party agents without ACSP status will no longer be able to file on behalf of companies, significantly reducing risks of fraudulent submissions. Furthermore, the ability to trace individual filings back to a specific, verified individual will increase enforcement capabilities of Companies House.
Identity verification (IDV) obligations
From Autumn/Winter 2025, all companies must have verified the identities of all directors, officers and PSCs, and notified Companies House of that verification through their confirmation statements, at company incorporation and when new directors or PSCs are appointed.
IDV compliance under ECCTA
Read our step-by-step guide to Identity Verification (IDV) compliance under ECCTA and find out how governance technology can reduce risk and ease the administrative load.
Take me thereHow Diligent Entities supports your ECCTA compliance
Navigating these new identity verification and presenter identification rules can be complex, but Diligent Entities offers practical, secure technology to simplify compliance:
- Secure recording of identity codes: Diligent Entities enables users to record their personal identity verification codes and ACSP registration codes directly against their user profiles. This centralised approach ensures codes are stored securely and confidentially.
- Privacy and security: These codes are treated with the same level of security as passwords — recognising that an individual’s identity verification code is essentially their “password to Companies House”. Diligent Entities uses robust encryption and access controls to prevent unauthorised access.
This technology-driven approach not only helps companies and ACSPs meet ECCTA requirements efficiently but also safeguards sensitive data, reducing the risk of identity fraud and regulatory penalties.
Preparing for compliance – A quick checklist
For companies’ directors, officers and employees making filings
- Verify identities promptly to avoid filing delays or penalties.
- Use tools like Diligent Entities to securely manage identity codes and track verification status.
- Ensure all identity verified individuals securely manage their personal ID verification codes.
For ACSPs
- Register with Companies House and maintain AML supervision.
- Implement robust identity verification processes meeting Companies House standards.
- Use Diligent Entities to securely record and manage ACSP codes and client identity verifications.
- Educate clients on the verification process and assist them with technology-enabled compliance.
Risks of non-compliance
Non-compliance with ECCTA can be extremely costly. It can result in:
- Criminal charges and fines: Non-compliance with identity verification requirements, failure to notify changes to supervisory bodies, and other breaches of the ECCTA can result in potentially devastating criminal charges and substantial fines.
- Rejection or revocation of registration: Companies House may reject filings or revoke an ACSP's registration if it is found to be non-compliant, especially if identity verification is not completed correctly or within the required timeframe.
- Reputational damage: Being associated with a company that is found to have engaged in fraudulent or illegal activities, even if the ACSP was not directly involved, can significantly damage the ACSP's reputation.
Conclusion
The ACSP and presenter identification requirements under ECCTA represent a significant shift in UK corporate transparency. From Spring 2026, only verified individuals or authorised providers will be able to submit filings to Companies House. Companies, directors, employees making filings,and service providers must act now to implement identity verification and register as ACSPs where applicable.
Leveraging technology like Diligent Entities makes compliance straightforward, secure, and auditable — helping organisations stay ahead of regulatory demands while protecting sensitive identity information.
Early preparation will ensure smooth compliance, reduce risk, and demonstrate commitment to preventing economic crime in the UK’s corporate sector.
Discover how Diligent Entities can help your organisation comply with ECCTA requirements. Request a demo.
More to explore
Identity Verification (IDV) under ECCTA: What UK companies must do now
Master IDV under ECCTA 2023: Key deadlines, practical steps, and technology solutions for compliance officers.
Master entity management and compliance with our essential ECCTA checklist
Our ECCTA checklist helps to ensure that your organisation not only complies with the law but also leverages that compliance for a strategic advantage.
Understanding and preventing the new ECCTA failure to prevent fraud offence
Prevent fraud and hefty fines under the new ECCTA legislation. This blog gives expert insights and practical tips to protect your organization. Learn more.
