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Compliance for ACSPs made simple.

Verify clients in minutes with cryptographic, biometric ID checks. Built to ensure compliance with new Companies House Identity Verification standards.

Compliant

ID verification that meets Companies House requirements.

Secure

ISO 27001 compliant.

Fast

No more blurry ID photos. Get verified ID the day you request it.

Supported

Dedicated UK support for you and your clients.

Trusted by 1,500+ leading firms

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Why Cryptographic checks matter

Our ID verification helps Authorised Corporate Services Providers (ACSPs) to identify directors and Persons of Significant Control (PSCs) to the standards required for Companies House. Our secure app can validate biometric information held using cryptographic security features of identity documents, such as passports. This meets the requirements of 'Option 1' from the guidance.

It's easier for your clients. They only need one identity document and can verify their ID in a couple of minutes, whether they're in Brighton or Bologna.

It's easier for you. We take care of the chasing with automated reminders. Our friendly, patient support team will help the more reluctant clients complete their checks. And our in-built guardrails mean you won't get blurry photos or photos with fingers covering the MRZ. You also don't need to worry about training your staff on spotting fake and fraudulent documents.

iPhone showing ID verification

How our cryptographic checks work

Step 1

Select the ID verification you need through our portal or partner platform.

Step 2

Your client will receive an SMS with instructions to download our app.

Step 3

Next, they’ll complete the requested ID verification in our app.

Step 4

Once they’re finished, you'll receive a report with clear, actionable results.

Since implementing Thirdfort’s data solution, Mishcon’s onboarding period - for straightforward matters - has been reduced from days to minutes.

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Thirdfort was easy to implement and has revolutionised how we verify the identity of our clients. It has been exceptionally useful for our overseas clients, as the process is secure, client-friendly and smooth.

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Stay informed: Key changes for ACSPs

FAQs

We offer you access to a range of data providers that you can rely on within one system. When you get started with Thirdfort our team can help you understand which data providers you will be using, how checks will be run and how you'll get results. You can read more about our data providers here.

We have a Trustpilot rated "excellent" UK-based support team on hand to help you and your clients navigate Thirdfort. You and your team will have access to support articles via the Thirdfort portal and you can speak to a member of our support team via live chat, email or phone. 

If your clients do run into any problems our customer support team are on hand to help and can be contacted by your clients via the Thirdfort app, email or phone. Let us take questions from your clients away from your team.

Some identity documents, such as UK passports, contain cryptographic security features which protect and hold the biometric information contained on the document. This is usually a small chip contained within the document that holds this information.
Some ID checks, like our Enhanced NFC ID check, read the chip, extract the information it contains and validates that this has not be tampered with. The UK government considers this to be the most secure way to verify someone's identity, which is why they use it for passport control at major UK airports.

There are five easy steps involved in an ID check that reads information held cryptographically -

  1. Your client scans MRZ zone on their ID document using their smartphone.

  2. Your client places their phone on the ePassport. The UK has been issuing ePassports since 2006. As of December 2024, 174 jurisdictions issue ePassports.

  3. We verify the digital signature and signing key from the chip instantly with the issuing government body.

  4. Cutting-edge video tech uses the reflection of light from skin to confirm liveness and combat deep fake attacks. Advanced biometric analysis compares the client’s face to the photo extracted from the ID.

  5. We generate your ID verification report which contains the information you need to provide Companies House.

'Option 1' in the guidance states that you need to use Identity Document Validation Technology, like Thirdfort, to verify biometric and cryptographic identity documents such as passports and driving licences. We do this via our secure app, which has verified more than two million people.
This means that your client only needs to provide one identity document.


If you use 'option 2' your team will need to be trained in spotting fake and fraudulent documents, but this isn't the case when using Thirdfort as we automatically detect these documents and alert you in an easy-to-review report.

Our report contains all the information you will need to provide to Companies House -

  1. document reference number, or equivalent

  2. expiry date, if the document has one

  3. country of issue, if the document has one.

You can download a copy of our report, enabling you to store this for the seven year period specified in the guidance.

Our contracts are for a twelve-month period. We offer flexibility in the way you purchase credits that are used for checks. Unlike most providers, all credits are valid for two years. If you need to purchase more there is no need to restart your contract term.

No, we only charge for checks that are completed. Most of your clients will find it easy to complete their checks. But for those who are having difficulty we have an excellent support team on hand to help app users complete their checks. So you don’t need to worry about guiding clients through their checks.

We offer discounts based on the volume of clients that you need to carry out checks on. Without any discounts you would pay £15 per biometric, cryptographic ID check. You can see more information on our pricing page.

Get confident with compliance.

Regulations are changing, but staying compliant doesn’t have to be a headache. Let Thirdfort handle the heavy lifting - so you can focus on what you do best.