A virtual office address is regulated. Before we can provide a business address or a registered office address, UK law requires us to know who our customer is. The check happens before the service starts, so it helps to have the right details ready when you order.

Who must be verified

We check everyone who is connected to the address, not only the person who pays:

• the person who places the order;
• directors and owners of the business;
• anyone authorised to collect the mail.

You do not have to deal with us yourself to be included. If a customer names you as a director, an owner or a mail collector, we still have to verify you.

What you will need

• Your full name, date of birth and residential address.
• A photo identity document.
• A selfie or a short liveness check, so your face can be compared with the photo on your ID. You can do this on a phone or a computer with a camera.
• For the business: company information, who owns it, what the business does and, where we need it, where its funds come from.

If we do not receive the information the law requires, we cannot provide the service. Our terms ask for identity checks to be completed within 14 days of the order.

How the SmartSearch check works

We use SmartSearch, an identity verification provider. The check has three parts:

• SmartSearch checks your identity document and address electronically.
• The selfie or liveness check compares your face with your ID.
• Your name is screened against UK sanctions lists, lists of politically exposed persons, and adverse media.

If the automated check does not pass, a member of our team reviews it before any decision is made. A failed automated check is not an automatic refusal.

Comparing your face with your ID uses biometric data, and screening can show information about criminal allegations or convictions. We use that information only to meet our legal duties and to prevent fraud and money laundering. How we store it, and how long we keep it, is set out in our privacy notice.

Why the law requires this

Providing business and registered office addresses is regulated under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017. We have to check who our customers are before we provide a service, and we keep checking while the service continues.

Questions about a check: [email protected] or 02393 233180.