Money Laundering Regulations
To prevent money laundering within the UK we are required to 'know our clients'.
What Identification do I Need to Provide?
This will depend on who we provide the service to!
UK Customers
Any order for virtual address services or a company formation application where everyone is located in the UK. There is no one based outside of the UK connected to the order.
This includes:
Personal customers that are UK resident person
Sole Trader or Partnership based in the UK
UK Limited Company (LTD) - All directors, shareholders and PSCs live in the UK
UK Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) - All partners and PSCs live in the UK
Another business structure we can verify that has no owners based outside of the UK
Non-UK Customers
Any order for virtual address or a company formation application where any one person or more is located outside of the UK. This applies to any overseas customers.
This includes:
Personal customers that live outside the UK
UK Limited Company (LTD) - One or more of the directors, shareholders or PSCs lives outside of the UK
UK Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) - One or more of the partners or PSCs lives outside of the UK
Another business structure we can verify with one or more of the owners/persons involved living outside of the UK
High Value Dealers
Trust or Company Service Providers
Accountancy Service Providers
Money Service Businesses
More About the Money Laundering Regulations
Implemented in 2007 (and subsequently updated), the Money Laundering Regulations are designed to protect the UK financial system.
Whilst the regulations are commonly associated with banks and financial institutions the laws govern many other industries such as company service providers.
We take a responsible approach to meeting legal requirements and operating within the regulations that govern our industry.
Any customer that has purchased a virtual address service or related product will be asked to provide the following documents by post or by email.
UK Customers
- Copy of driving licence photo card or a copy of passport
- Utility bill or bank statement in that person’s name dated within the last 3 months
- Completed client registration form
Non-UK Customers
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Overseas customers are requested to provide the same information but we may ask for solicitor certified or notarised copies. We may also need a certified translation of the document if the original is not in English.
If you are ordering services on behalf of a third party you are acting as an intermediary we will need to identify any intermediary that orders a service.
Corporate Structures and Nominee Directors
If you have registered a business with us that has a corporate structure (companies registered as directors or shareholders or members) with complete transparency we need identification for the beneficial owners. Please note - we do not provide services to companies that have complex corporate structures.
Customers purchasing a mail forwarding address or a service that creates a business relationship with SFS must complete the client registration form.
Please visit our Client Registration Page to print and complete the Client Registration Forms.
We value your privacy
All customer details are kept securely by SFS. We will only divulge your details if legally required to provide the information or the request is made by a government agency that does not fall within data protection laws.
