Money laundering checks · clients outside the UK
Outside the UK, provide proof of address as an original by post or a certified copy. Certify your ID if we ask you to use this route instead of digital verification through Credas.
The options depend on which document you’re providing.
Needed by everyone based outside the UK, since UK address databases don’t cover other countries.
No certification needed. We check the original, take a copy for our records and post it back to you.
Usually the quicker option, and works even if you only get e-bills. Take your utility bill or bank statement and a photocopy to an independent professional, who compares the two and writes the certification on the copy itself.
The certification must be written on the copy itself with the certifier’s name, occupation, address and phone number — details below.
Only needed if we’ve asked you to certify your ID rather than verify it in the Credas app.
We can only accept a certified copy of your passport or driving licence — we can’t accept these by post. Take the document and a photocopy to an independent professional, who compares the two and writes the certification on the copy itself.
For a passport, the certifier should certify the photo page. The certification must be written on the copy itself with the certifier’s name, occupation, address and phone number.
We only accept original passports and driving licences by certified copy, not by post. This protects you — these documents are valuable and difficult to replace, and posting them carries a real risk of loss in transit.
Proving your address is different — see the option above, where posting the original is fine.
Certify only if we’ve asked for your ID this way, or for a proof of address, which is needed by everyone based outside the UK.
Only needed if we’ve specifically asked you to certify your ID, rather than verify it in the Credas app. Certify a copy — please don’t post your original passport or driving licence to us.
Must be dated within the last 3 months, in your name, at your current address. You must have lived there for at least 12 months; if you’ve moved recently, please tell us before you start.
Documents that aren’t in English also need a certified translation.
The certifier must be independent — not a relative, not someone at your address, and not your partner. A professional such as a solicitor, notary, chartered or certified accountant, bank or building society official, police officer, teacher, minister of religion or civil servant can certify your copy. Choose where you live below for the easiest local options.
Some countries (for example Germany and Austria) also have municipal offices (Bürgeramt, Gemeinde) that certify copies; these are acceptable if the office stamp and the official’s name, occupation, address and telephone number are on the copy.
If your document isn’t in English, ask the certifier whether they can also provide a certified translation, or use a sworn translator.
Any practising solicitor is also a Commissioner for Oaths, so this is usually the easiest and cheapest route — walk-in is normally fine and the fee is a few euro. Find one at lawsociety.ie/Find-a-Solicitor. Your own bank or credit union branch can also certify, as can a Peace Commissioner (appointed by the Minister for Justice) or a member of An Garda Síochána. For a register of Commissioners for Oaths, see the Supreme Court or Citizens Information.
Documents not in English need a certified translation. We may ask for a second document for some countries — we’ll tell you in advance if so.
This follows the GOV.UK guidance on certifying a document. Everything below must be written on the photocopy itself — the certified copy has to stand on its own. Our checklist form is there to help the certifier; it is not a substitute.
“Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me.”
Handwritten or stamped on the copy, followed by:
For a passport, they should certify the photo page. If the copy runs to more than one page, each page must be certified. We verify that every certifier is genuine before accepting the copy.
Avoid a second trip — these are the most common problems with certified copies.
Covers both ID and proof of address — tick which document you’re certifying in Part A. One page, A4. Print it and take it with your original document and a photocopy to the certifier; it sets out exactly what they need to write on the copy, and gives them a place to record their details for our verification call. Upload the certified copy (and the checklist, if completed) in the Credas app.
Download the checklist (PDF) Credas user guide
Posting the original proof of address instead? Send it to The Company Shop – DA, Forsyth House, Cromac Square, Belfast BT2 8LA, Northern Ireland. Stuck? Our Belfast team is happy to help — call 028 9055 9955 or contact us.