If your company, directors, or owners are outside the UK, you’ll need to provide translated and (in some cases) certified or notarised documents as part of our AML checks. This helps us confirm your identity and meet UK compliance rules.
What you’ll need
For each director, shareholder (25%+), and authorised contact:
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Photo ID – passport or national ID
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Proof of address – utility bill or bank statement (dated within 3 months)
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Company documents – certificate of incorporation + share register
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Proof of business address (if different)
If your company has another company as a shareholder, we’ll need documents showing who ultimately owns it (Ultimate Beneficial Owner / UBO).
If your documents aren’t in English
All documents must be translated by a professional translator. The translation must include:
- Translator’s name and signature
- Date of translation
- A statement confirming it’s a “true and accurate translation of the original”
Certification vs. Notarisation – What’s the difference?
| Type | When it’s needed | Who can do it | Example countries |
|---|
| Certified copy | For individuals in low- to medium-risk countries | Lawyer, accountant, bank official, government officer | UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, UAE |
| Notarised copy | For individuals or companies in higher-risk or non-EU countries, or where verification is more complex | Notary Public (must include stamp and signature) | Hong Kong, China, India, South Africa, Nigeria, Pakistan, Caribbean nations |
| Apostilled copy (special case) | For countries that are not part of the Hague Convention, or where notarisation alone isn’t accepted | Local authority / Ministry of Foreign Affairs | e.g. some African, Middle Eastern, or Central Asian countries |
Who cannot apply
We do not accept applications from countries on the FATF Grey or Black Lists, or any UK sanctioned jurisdictions.
As of now, that includes:
North Korea, Iran, Myanmar, Panama, Barbados, Haiti, Jamaica, Türkiye, South Sudan, Uganda, and the Philippines.