Before we can act for you, the law says we have to confirm who you are. This page explains the checks, who they apply to and how to get them done quickly.
Why we check your identity
The UK government brought in new money laundering regulations on 15 December 2007. Today the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 apply. Under them, we must carry out proper due diligence and identity checks on every client we start an ongoing business relationship with. For some of the services we provide, that means the law requires us to collect proof of identity from you.
Forming a limited company on its own, without any other services, does not in itself require due diligence. Even so, we may ask any client for proof of identity under the regulations if we have cause to. This is more likely where a company's directors or shareholders live outside the UK and EU, or are foreign nationals. As soon as we receive your instruction, we will tell you if we need anything further.
These checks are mandatory for every client who takes an ongoing service from us, such as a registered office, company secretary or business address service. Where a professional adviser who is regulated themselves, such as an accountant or solicitor, uses our services, we may ask to rely on their own due diligence for the ongoing service.
Company directors and people with significant control also have to verify their identity with Companies House. That is a separate check, and we can do it for you.
Who needs to provide ID
- Every person named as a director
- Everyone who holds 25% or more of the voting shares
- The person giving us the instruction, if they are not a director or shareholder
- Where a director or shareholder is a company, the individuals who control it: we follow the same steps for each one
Which documents we accept
We need two forms of identification: one proving your name and one proving your address. Choose one document from each list. We need your documents before we can go ahead with your application.
Proof of name
Send any one of these
- Current passport (not expired)
- Current UK or EEA photocard driving licence
- Full old-style driving licence
- National identity card with your name and photograph
- Residence permit issued by the Home Office to EEA nationals
- Photo registration card for self-employed workers in the construction industry
- EEA member state identity card
Proof of address
Send any one of these
- Gas, electricity or water bill issued in the last three months
- Council tax bill for the current council tax year
- Bank, building society or credit union statement
- Mortgage statement from a recognised lender for the last full year
- HMRC self assessment or tax demand letter
- NHS medical card
- Tenancy agreement for the current year, or council or housing association rent card
- Benefit book or original letter from the benefits agency (only if not used as proof of name)
- Electoral register entry
How to send your ID
We use Credas, an ID verification company, so you can do the whole check online from your phone.
- Your invitation arrivesOnce your application is submitted, Credas emails you an invitation to verify your identity online.
- Upload and take a selfieUpload one or two identity documents and one proof of address, then take a selfie photograph.
- We check themWe review what you have uploaded and contact you if we need anything else.
If you can't use Credas
If you can't install Credas or upload your documents through it, you can email them to us at info@ovalaccountants.co.uk instead, as long as they are certified copies.
If you live in the UK or EU
Have your documents certified by a registered accountant, a lawyer or a doctor. They write by hand and sign on each copy that they have checked it and that, to their knowledge, it is genuine.
If you live outside the EU
We need notarised copies of your proof of identity and proof of address.
Oval Accountants LTD, Premier House, 46 Victoria Road, Burgess Hill RH15 9LR. Company number 16137228. ICO registration ZB905652.
