ID requirements

As a company formation agent 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.

Who needs to provide identification?

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

Identification should be provided by an account holder (the person who is actually registering the company), directors and PSCs (persons with significant control).

What ID is needed?

You may be asked to supply at least one of the following documents, which must be current and valid:

• Passport.
• Driving licence. Only UK photocard-type licences are accepted, not paper licences.
• National identity card.
• HM Forces identity card.
• Student Card.
• Employment identification card.
• Disabled driver’s blue pass.

Proof of address

You may be asked to supply also at least one of the following documents, which must show your name and your address and be dated within the three months before our receipt of them:

• Notice of Tax Coding from HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs).
• Telephone Bill. This must be for your landline telephone, not a mobile.
• Gas bill.
• Electricity bill.
• Water bill.
• Mortgage statement.
• Council tax bill.
• Bank statement.
• TV licence.

Certification procedures

All documents should either be in English or else accompanied by an English translation by an Official Sworn Translator.

Your proof of ID and proof of address documents must be certified by one of the following institutions or persons or who is neither a friend nor a relative:

1. UK or EU Residents

• A Solicitor or Notary Public.
• The Post Office - https://www.postoffice.co.uk/document-certification-service .
• A civil servant.
• A minister of religion.
• A doctor.
• A chartered accountant.
• A teacher or lecturer.

2. Non-UK or EU Residents

We will require your proof of ID and address to be certified by a Notary Public.

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".

This certification of and upon the documentation must be dated by the certifying person who must also print their name, address and occupation on the documents and apply their handwritten signature.

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

Failure to send the necessary documents

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

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