To be able to setup an Offshore Company, we are required to conduct checks on the officers within the company. Therefore, we obtain identification documents on the individuals involved.
What documents are required for the Incorporation of an offshore company?
The following documents are the standard documents requested for each offshore incorporation:
- Certified copy of the Passport for each officer/Beneficial Owner
- Certified Utility Bill dated within the last 3 months for each Officer/Beneficial Owner
Your identification and address documents should have been certified by a person from one of the following professions:
- a member of the judiciary, a senior civil servant, or a serving police or customs officer;
- an officer of an embassy, consulate or high commission of the country of issue of documentary verification of identity;
- a lawyer or notary public who is a member of a recognised professional body;
- an actuary who is a member of a recognised professional body;
- an accountant who is a member of a recognised professional body;
- a company secretary who is a member of a recognised professional body;
A suitable certifier must certify that he or she has seen the original documentation, and that a copy of the document provided (which he or she certifies) is a complete and accurate copy of that original. Where applicable, the certifier must also state that a photograph is a true likeness of the individual. The certification must be independent, so even if you are a professional as detailed above, you cannot certify documentation for yourself or another related party.
The certifier must:
• Sign and date the copy document
• Print his or her name and address and telephone number
• State the capacity in which they are certifying the document
• Ensure any documents not in English are accompanied by a certified English translation
Please note some jurisdictions require further documents in addition to the ones mentioned above.
What additional Documents maybe requested?
The following listed documents are the additional documents that are sometimes required. These will only apply to certain jurisdictions.
- Bank Reference Letter - This is a letter issued by your bank to state your full name, address, passport number/ID card number to state that you have been a member of the bank for the amount of years you have been and that your accounts are in good standing.
- Beneficial Owners Declaration – This will be sent to you by CFS on receipt of your order
- Business Plan/CV
- Source of Wealth (Bank Statement or Wage slip)
To view further information for each jurisdiction or to order your offshore company, please click here and select the jurisdiction you are interested in.
Offshore company identification FAQs
What proof of ID do I need to register an offshore company?
As standard, CFS Formations will normally request the following documents for each officer and beneficial owner:
- A certified copy of a valid passport
- A certified utility bill dated within the last three months as proof of address
Requirements can vary between jurisdictions. We will confirm whether any additional documents are needed after receiving your order.
Who can certify my identification documents?
Your identification and address documents should be certified by an independent professional. An acceptable certifier may include:
- A lawyer or notary public who belongs to a recognised professional body
- An accountant who belongs to a recognised professional body
- A company secretary who belongs to a recognised professional body
- An actuary who belongs to a recognised professional body
- A member of the judiciary or a senior civil servant
- A serving police or customs officer
- An authorised officer of an embassy, consulate or high commission
The professionals accepted can differ between jurisdictions. Please contact us if you are unsure whether a particular person can certify your documents.
What information must the certifier include?
The certifier should confirm that they have seen the original document and that the supplied copy is a complete and accurate copy of it. For photographic identification, they should also confirm that the photograph is a true likeness of the individual.
The certifier must:
- Sign and date the document
- Print their full name
- Provide their business address and telephone number
- State their profession or the capacity in which they are certifying the document
The certification must be clear and legible. Incomplete certification may delay the formation of the company.
Can I certify my own identification documents?
No. Certification must be completed independently. You cannot certify your own documents, even if you belong to one of the accepted professions.
A certifier should also be independent of the applicant and should not be a relative or another closely connected party.
What happens if my documents are not in English?
Documents that are not written in English must normally be accompanied by a certified English translation.
The translated document should meet the requirements of the chosen jurisdiction. We will let you know if any additional translation, notarisation or legalisation is required.
Could I be asked to provide additional documents?
Yes. Depending on the jurisdiction, company activity and people involved, further due-diligence documents may be required. These can include:
- A bank reference letter
- A beneficial owner declaration supplied by CFS Formations
- A business plan or CV
- Evidence explaining the source of funds or source of wealth, such as a bank statement or payslip
Additional checks do not apply in every case. CFS Formations will confirm the exact requirements for your chosen jurisdiction.
To compare jurisdictions or order an offshore company, view our offshore company formation services.
Testimonial
"I am very impressed with the service that CFS provided for the setup of my Seychelles Company. They made the process very easy and straight forward. I would recommend using CFS"
Individual, Norway
