Companies House Identity Verification: What it means for ACSPs and how to choose IDVT

By Sarah Croft | June 19, 2025 | Compliance, News

You’re no doubt aware of the changes coming from Companies House as part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act and your firm may be considering registering as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Or maybe you already have.

As an ACSP acting on behalf of clients, it’s important to find the right technology to support with identity verification requirements for your clients. As this new responsibility falls on your shoulders, putting the right process in place is key.

Here’s what you need to know about IDVT and how TrustID can help.

What’s changing with Director Checks and Companies House?

Companies House has introduced identity verification to help improve the accuracy and transparency of the UK company register and to tackle misuse. The aim is simple: ensure that anyone creating or controlling a company is who they say they are.

If you’re an ACSP helping clients form or file on behalf of a UK company, you’ll be responsible for carrying out identity checks on Directors and People with Significant Control.

These checks must meet a government-defined standard – if they don’t, you could face delays, non-compliance issues or reputational risk.

What is IDVT?

The Companies House standard allows ACSPs to verify identity using Identity Document Validation Technology or IDVT which is technology that helps to assess the authenticity of identity documents. These technologies can automate the process of checking identity documents which are included in the Companies House standard for ACSPs, including passports, ID cards, biometric residence permits and driving licences.

The benefits of IDVT

IDVT helps ACSPs quickly and easily verify client identities, meeting Companies House requirements. Although ACSPs can choose to manually verify documents, this process can be time-consuming, unreliable and administratively intensive. What’s more, only someone trained in detecting false documents by a specialised provider can effectively conduct these checks, introducing extra potential risk to your business. IDVT takes away risk and streamlines processes.

How to choose IDVT for Director Checks

Choosing the right technology partner can make all the difference in how smoothly you adapt to the new rules. Here are a few things to look for:

• Compliance

Does the provider align with the Companies House standard? Certification to UK digital identity and attributes trust framework standards will give you further peace of mind a provider demonstrates good digital identity verification standards.

• Ease of use

Is the Director check process simple for both your team and your clients? Does your provider have an option for checking cryptographic features when a document has a chip – such as a passport – and when it doesn’t – such as a driving licence?

• Speed

Can you get results quickly? If a check is unsuccessful, will the provider clearly let you know why?

• Support

Will your team and your applicants have access to expert guidance if you have questions or a verification fails the process?

• No hidden complexity

Is the solution ready to use without technical setup? Are the costs clear?

• Scale and flexibility

Many ACSPs need to make a large number of checks on their clients soon after registration but may then see their annual check volumes drop. Look for a service which offers both scale and flexibility and doesn’t tie you into a minimum monthly volume.

Why ACSPs choose TrustID

At TrustID, we help thousands of organisations, including a growing number of ACSPs, to run reliable, compliant ID checks.

Here’s how we make it easy:

✔ Aligned with the Companies House Standard

Our checks are fully aligned with the new identity verification rules, and offer different verification routes depending on the document presented by your client. For example, we can offer a cryptographic security check which opens the chip in a passport or we can offer a service for non-chip documents which checks other visible security features. That means you can be confident you’re meeting your obligations, whatever photographic evidence you’re seeing.

✔ Fast, Flexible, and Ready to Go

You don’t need to download any software or install anything. Our cloud-based platform works straight out of the box — whether you’re a sole practitioner or part of a larger firm.

✔ Easy for You and Your Clients

Clients complete the check remotely in just a few clicks. The quick, secure process can be carried out on a smartphone or tablet device from anywhere, whenever it suits them.

✔ Real Support from Real People

Our team of identity verification specialists are on hand to help. Whether you need onboarding advice or have a question about a specific check, we’re just a phone call or email away.

Get ready now and stay ahead

By putting a reliable ID verification process in place now, you’ll avoid disruption, reassure clients, and be ready to act with confidence.

At TrustID, we make it simple to stay compliant, protect your reputation, and save time on client onboarding.

Want to see how it works?

Join one of our product demos or get in touch — we’d love to show you how we can help your firm stay ahead of the changes.