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ID Requirements to Register a Company

If you would like to form a company in the United Kingdom or use our registered office address and other services, then we must undertake proper measures to identify our customers. As a company formation agency we must follow Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations and “Know Your Customer” (KYC) requirements and obtain proof of our customers’ identities and addresses.

If you are a UK resident then we will perform a digital check of your ID and address using the information that you have provided in your company order form. In 90% of cases our customers pass our digital ID checks successfully. Even if you do not immediately pass our digital checks we can nearly always resolve the matter for you by other means.

If you are not eligible for our digital ID check or do not pass our digital ID check, we will send you an e-mail asking you to provide the necessary information and documents. This mostly applies to non-UK residents.

Who needs to provide identification?

Identification and proof of address should be provided by:

  • An account holder (the person who is actually registering the company);
  • Company directors;
  • PSCs (persons with significant control).

There are 2 ways to complete our ID verifications checks.

Option 1. Identification via CREDAS using your smartphone. 

CREDAS is a mobile App that allows us to check digitally and verify your proof of ID in just 5 minutes. In a small number of cases where checks are more expensive to carry out, we may ask you to pay an extra admin fee to complete your ID verification via the App.

How it works:

  1. We will send you an invitation by e-mail or SMS with simple instructions on how to use the App. 
  2. Please complete all verification steps as requested by the App.
  3. In addition to ID verification via the Credas App you will need to e-mail us the scanned copy of your Proof of Address.

For instructions on how to use the CREDAS App, please see the User Guide.

Option 2. Provision of documents.

This option is available only for those professionals, such as solicitors and accountants, who are regulated in the UK in accordance with UK anti-money laundering regulations. You may provide us with duly certified copies of your client's original documents:

  1. Proof of ID.
  2. Proof of Address.

Documents must be certified by one of the following institutions or persons, who should not be a friend or a relative:

Specific wording for certification of documents

Each certified document must have the following statement written on it: "Certified as a true and accurate representation of the original seen by me" (the word "me" referring to the person who certifies the document).

The certifying person must date the certification, print their name, address, and occupation on the documents, and provide their handwritten signature.

Certified documents may be supplied via e-mail or post.

Translation Requirements

All documents should either be in English or else accompanied by an English translation by an Official Sworn Translator. We recommend using this online service: https://translayte.com/orders/create (the "Certified Translation" option must be used).

Special Provisions for Non-UK Residents

HM Treasury publishes and regularly updates the UK’s list of high-risk jurisdictions. Subject to our risk assessment policy, Uniwide Formations may not accept customers from high-risk jurisdictions. If you reside or are incorporated in any of these countries, please consult with our staff before placing an order through our website. You will need to inform us about your country of residence and your country of citizenship.

Can I register a company for someone else?

Yes, you can register a company for someone else under certain conditions. When registering a company, it is required to provide identification for the account holder (the one actually forming the company) and all company directors and PSCs (persons with significant control).

Special rules apply to “regulated” customersi.e. solicitors, accountants, etc., who can easily register companies for third parties, i.e. their own customers, using our platform.

If you are a person or organisation supervised by a relevant authority or a member of an appropriate professional body, then you must follow the UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements. We may then rely on you to do the necessary checks.

Document types explained

Proof of ID

At least one of the following documents, which must be current and valid:

  • Passport.
  • Photocard driving licence.
  • National identity card.
  • UK residence permit.

Proof of address

You must provide at least one of the following documents, which must show both your name and address.

These must be dated within the three months prior to our receipt of them:

  • A utility bill (for gas, electricity, water, internet, TV licence, etc.) linked to the property. This must not be a welcome letter or final bill.
  • Landline telephone bill. Mobile phone bills are not accepted.
  • A statement from a bank or building society. This must be from a recognised bank, not an e-money institution.
  • Credit card statement.
  • Mortgage statement from a recognised lender.
  • Notice of Tax Coding from HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs).
  • Poll card.
  • For students of UK universities: a letter from a recognised university bearing the official campus address, confirming your enrolment, course dates, and your address (including any room number).

The following documents must be dated as specified:

  • Council tax bill for the current tax year.
  • DWP benefits confirmation letter, dated within the last 6 months.
  • A valid photocard driving licence (unless it has already been submitted as your ID document).
  • A valid national identity card (unless it has already been submitted as your ID document).
  • A fully executed valid tenancy agreement for a UK address, which has been issued by one of the following:
    • A solicitor,
    • Housing association, 
    • Local council,
    • Reputable letting agency.

Failure to send the necessary documents

If you are not eligible for our digital ID check, or you do not pass our digital ID check, then we cannot proceed with your order unless you supply the requested documents and information.

We would therefore appreciate it if you could respond to our compliance request (if any) at your earliest convenience.

Name Checker

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Company Registration

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