Send a current registry extract, such as an up-to-date printout or PDF from your official company register.
In most countries, this is the only document we need.
What information does your registry extract need to show?
Your registry extract should show:
- your company's legal name, registration number, and registered address
- that the company is still active
- the full name of every current director
- the full name of every shareholder and the percentage each one holds
If available, it also helps if the extract shows:
- legal form
- registration date
- country of registration
- tax ID
You can still continue with your application if these additional details aren't shown.
What if the registry extract doesn't show directors or shareholders?
Some registries don't show shareholders, or only show directors.
If some information is missing, add the document that provides it. You don't need to send all of the documents below.
To show who runs the company
- Register of directors or officers: the current list of people running the company
- Resolution appointing the current board: the decision or minutes appointing your current directors. This can help if the directors changed recently and the registry hasn't been updated yet.
- Annual return or annual filing: your most recent yearly filing, if it lists the directors
To show who owns the company
- Register of shareholders or members: the list of owners and the holding of each one
- Shareholder agreement or share ledger: a private agreement or internal ledger, if ownership isn't recorded publicly
- Deed of share transfer or share purchase agreement: use this if ownership changed recently and the registry hasn't been updated yet
- Articles of association or company statutes: your company's constitution. We can accept this as proof of ownership only if it names the current shareholders and their percentages.
Other documents we may ask for
Depending on the information available in your main documents, we may also ask for:
- Certificate of incorporation or registration: the certificate issued when your company was first registered
- Certificate of good standing or existence: confirmation from the registry that your company is active and up to date with its filings
- Financial report: your most recent filed annual accounts. This is mainly relevant if your company is publicly listed.
- Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) declaration or beneficial ownership register extract: identifies the people who ultimately own or control the company, usually through a holding of 25% or more. This can support your other documents, but it can't replace them.
What if shares or a directorship are held through a nominee?
Also send the nominee agreement. This should show who holds the shares or directorship and who they hold it for.
Are there extra document requirements in some countries?
In most countries, the registry extract described above is the starting point. The following countries require additional documents.
Canada
Send your certificate of incorporation or registration together with the registry extract.
France
Send your articles of association together with the registry extract.
If the extract doesn't show ownership, also send your register of shareholders or members.
Hong Kong
Send your latest annual return together with the registry extract.
Hungary
Send your articles of association together with the registry extract.
United Kingdom
Send your latest annual return or confirmation statement together with the registry extract.
If your company was incorporated recently, or the extract doesn't confirm the date of formation, also send your certificate of incorporation.
United States
Send your registry extract together with:
- your operating agreement, which is the members' agreement governing the LLC, in states where one exists
- your tax registration certificate, meaning the EIN letter from the IRS
- a sworn affidavit, which is a statement of facts signed under oath before a notary
We need the sworn affidavit whenever ownership, management, or registration details can only be verified from internal company documents rather than records kept by an authority.
What should you check before uploading your documents?
- Send the most recent version. We can't accept historical or superseded documents.
- Include every page, even if a page only contains a stamp or signature.
- Make sure your company's full legal name and registration number are clearly readable.
- You can upload a clear scan, photo, or downloaded PDF. Make sure all text is legible.
- Documents in your local language are accepted. You don't need to translate them.
What happens after you upload your documents?
Your documents are sent for review after you upload them.
If we need another document or more information, we'll let you know.