How to Choose an ACSP: 8 Checks Before You Pay
How to choose an ACSP for Companies House identity verification: an 8-point checklist covering price, documents, human review, turnaround and refunds.
Choosing an ACSP for Companies House identity verification comes down to eight checks: registration, clear pricing, document acceptance, human review, turnaround, resubmission and refunds, real contact details and data protection. Every ACSP gives you the same Personal Code. What differs is how likely you are to get it first time, how quickly, and what it costs once extras are added.
This buyer's checklist helps you compare providers before you pay. If you are new to the term, start with what is an ACSP?
The 8-Point ACSP Checklist
1. It verifies through a registered ACSP
Only registered ACSPs can verify identities for Companies House. The provider should say plainly whether it is an ACSP itself or works through a registered ACSP partner. Vague wording such as "Companies House approved" is a warning sign.
2. The full price is shown up front
Look for the price per person including VAT, and whether it covers all of that person’s appointments. Watch for extra charges for resubmission, Fast Track or overseas documents.
3. It accepts your documents
If you have a non-biometric passport, a passport from outside the UK or a name that differs from the register, check the provider accepts your situation before you pay.
4. A person reviews your application
Automated checks reject applications for a blurred photo or an address gap. A human review catches those problems before submission and tells you how to fix them.
5. The turnaround is stated
A clear processing time, and an express option, matters when a confirmation statement or appointment date is close.
6. Resubmission and refunds are clear
Find out what happens if a document is rejected. Free resubmission and a written refund policy protect you if something goes wrong.
7. You can reach a person
Look for a named company, a UK address, a phone number and published support hours, not just a contact form.
8. Your data is protected
Identity documents are sensitive. The provider should explain how documents are encrypted, stored and deleted.
How CorpAssist Measures Up
| Check | CorpAssist |
|---|---|
| Registered ACSP | Verification completed through a registered ACSP partner |
| Price | From £29.99 + VAT per person, covering all their appointments |
| Documents | Passports from 190+ countries (including non-biometric) and UK photocard driving licences |
| Human review | Every application checked by a compliance officer before submission |
| Turnaround | Standard 2–3 business days; Fast Track within 24 hours |
| Resubmission and refunds | Free resubmission; full refund if verification cannot be completed because of a processing failure |
| Contact | UK compliance desk by phone and email, Monday to Friday 09:00–17:30 |
| Data protection | Encrypted document upload and storage |
For a price comparison across routes, read our ACSP verification cost guide. To avoid fake providers, see how to spot verification scams.
Why Directors Choose CorpAssist
Identity verification is a legal requirement, so getting it right the first time matters. Here is what CorpAssist handles for you:
- Every application is checked by a person before submission, not rejected by an automated system
- If something needs fixing, we contact you directly, and resubmitting documents costs nothing extra
- Valid passports from 190+ countries accepted, including non-biometric passports
- No app, no NFC phone, no Post Office visit and no UK phone number needed
- Name differences handled: maiden names, deed poll changes, middle names, transliterated names
- Standard processing in 2–3 business days, or Fast Track within 24 hours, with a UK-based compliance desk during business hours
- One-time fee from £29.99 + VAT per person, covering all your appointments
- Full refund if verification cannot be completed because of a processing failure
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose an ACSP for identity verification?
Check that the service works through a registered ACSP, shows its full price including VAT, says which documents and countries it accepts, has a person review your application, states a turnaround time, offers free resubmission and a refund policy, and gives real contact details.
Is a cheaper ACSP just as good?
The Personal Code is the same whichever ACSP you use. The differences are in what happens around it: whether someone checks your documents before submission, whether a rejected upload costs extra, and how quickly problems are resolved. Compare the full cost, not just the headline price.
Does my accountant have to be an ACSP to verify me?
Yes. Only a registered ACSP, or a service working through one, can verify identities for Companies House. Many accountants have not registered and refer clients to a specialist verification service.
How can I check an ACSP is genuine?
Look for a UK company number you can check on the Companies House register, a physical UK address, a working phone number and a clear statement of how the service verifies you. Be cautious of unsolicited emails offering verification.
CorpAssist is an independent commercial service and is not Companies House or GOV.UK. We facilitate identity verification through a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider. Source: GOV.UK identity verification guidance.
Last verified: September 2026
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