Need help opening your World Account?
You’re in the right place. Here’s a list of the documents you’ll need to get set up.
Summary of what to provide
We will ask you to provide the following information to submit your application:
- Everyone: your ID doc (for you as applicant)
- If you’re a company:
- Your registered company number
- For each additional registered director: (i) name; (ii) date of birth
- For each shareholder with 25%+ ownership: (i) copy of ID doc – front and back; (ii) shareholding %
Proof of ID
A valid passport or driving licence must be provided as a proof of identity and adhere to the following:
Passport
- The copy must be in colour
- A clear image of the individual must be shown
- It must be issued by the government of the country in which you are a citizen or resident
- All data fields should be completed and images should not be pixelated
Driving licence
- The copy must be in colour
- A clear image of the individual must be shown
- It must be issued by the government of the country in which you are a citizen or resident.
- You must provide images of the front and back
- All data fields should be completed and images should not be pixelated
Company ownership
We need to identify any significant shareholder (otherwise known as an ultimate beneficial owner or UBO) – a person, who ultimately (directly or indirectly) owns or controls 25% or more of the company and its underlying assets. Here’s how to identify shareholders owning 25% or more of the company.
Percentage (%) Ownership of each UBO: this refers to the exact percentage ownership that the UBO effectively owns or controls in the entity.
Example 1
In this example:
- Your company is 100% owned by Company B
- Company B is 20% owned by Individual C, and 80% owned by Individual D
- Your company is deemed to have 1 intermediate layer in its ownership structure (the number of layers between the company and its UBOs)
- Company B is deemed to be the Intermediate Entity Shareholder of your company
- The UBO with 25% or more interest in your company is Individual D
- Individual C only holds 20% effective interest in your company and is not deemed a UBO
Example 2
Company is owned directly by an individual.
In this example:
- Your company is is 100% owned by Individual B
- Individual B is deemed to be the sole UBO with 25% or more interest in your company
Restricted industry certificate
Restricted industry certificate
This is a document that you will obtain from the government / local authority.
It proves you have the right to do business within your industry. For more information see https://www.gov.uk/licence-finder
Product certificate
Product certificate
A product certificate is a document issued by a certified organisation. This states that the product has passed quality assurance tests, performance tests and is in compliance with local laws, regulations and sales standards.
Proof of address
The following documents are accepted as a proof of address:
Bank statement, utility bill, letter from local council, tenancy agreement.
Documents must clearly show the account holder’s full name and address; and be dated within the past 3 months.
Bank statement
You may be asked to provide a copy of a bank statement to verify your business. This must match the address submitted in your application and must:
- Be from a licensed bank (not Wise, Revolut, Tide etc)
- Be issued within the past three months
- Show the bank name / logo
- Show your full name and address (this must match the address submitted in your application)
- Show the bank account number
Utility bill
This must:
- Show the utility provider’s name / logo
- Show your full name and supply address (this must match the address submitted in your application)
- Show the account number
Council letter
This must:
- Show the council’s name / logo
- Show your full name and address (this must match the address submitted in your application)
Tenancy agreement
This must:
- Show the landlord’s name and address
- Show your full name and the address being let (this must match the address submitted in your application)
- Show the period of residency
Proof of source of funds
You may be asked to prove the source of your funds. This can be done by providing one of the following documents:
Bank statement issued and dated within the last three months; tax documents; sales contract/invoices; latest financial report, annual return or tax return; letter from accountant/solicitor; investment certificate or contract.
Bank statement
This must:
- Be from a licensed bank (not Wise, Revolut, Tide etc)
- Be issued within the past three months
- Show the bank name / logo
- Show your full name and address (this must match the address submitted in your application)
- Show the bank account number
- Have no redacted information
Tax document
This document must clearly show company name and address (to match those on your application) and be dated within the past three months.
Sales contract/invoices
This document must clearly show company name and address (to match those on your application) and be dated within the past three months.
Latest financial report
Investment certificate or contract
This document must clearly show company name and address (to match those on your application) and be dated within the past three months.
Businesses like yours trust WorldFirst
- Almost 1,000,000 businesses have sent $300B around the world with WorldFirst and its partner brands since 2004
- Your money is safeguarded with leading financial institutions
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