FAQ

What is required?

For each Beneficial Owner you must supply:

  • Certified copy of Proof of ID

  • Two Certified copies of two Proofs of Address

Why is it required?

Because we provide an address for your business we are required by the Department of Justice (Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Unit) to collect certain information as described above and detailed on this page. We are a designated TCSP for this purpose, see the AMLCU website for more information. We may, from time to time, also request other information, such as a description of the business, if it is not clear from your website or other sources. Because this is required by law, we will only be able to continue our service if the information is provided.

What is a Beneficial Owner?

  • A "Beneficial Owner" is a natural person who ultimately owns or controls a legal entity, such as a company.

  • A "Natural Person" is an actual human being, not a legal person (e.g. a company).

  • This means they are the real people, even if the entity is held through other companies or structures.

  • If you are self-employed, or in a partnership, then you, and any partners, are the beneficial owner(s).

  • "Ultimately Owns or Controls". This can happen in a few ways:

    • Direct Ownership: An individual directly owns more than 25% of the company's shares.

    • Indirect Ownership: An individual owns more than 25% of the shares in another company that, in turn, owns the company in question.

    • Control via other means: Even if someone doesn't own a majority of shares, they might still have significant control over the company through voting rights, legal agreements, or other arrangements. For instance, 5 people owning 20% each may still be beneficial owners.

Who can certify my documents?

A certified copy is a document that has been signed, dated, and stamped as a true copy of the original by:

  • A bank manager

  • Commissioner for Oaths

  • Member of the Garda Síochána/Police

  • A practicing solicitor

  • An accountant. Note: they should quote their FCCA (or equivalent).

  • Alternatively, you may call into our office, by appointment, with the original documents, and we will gladly take a copy of the relevant documents and certify them for you.

What will we do with the documents?

  • The certified copies of the documents are retained by us so that we can present them when we are audited by the Dept of Justice's AML Compliance Unit.

  • Every few years, or when a document expires (e.g. passport expiry date), we will request refreshed documents.


Notes:

  • Any foreign documents must be translated to English by a qualified translator and certified.

  • All documents are subject to review and can be rejected at our discretion.

  • You may drop them to us at our address, where we can copy and certify them. However, let us know you are coming so that we can be sure to be present to certify the documents.

  • Photographs and scanned images can be easily changed digitally. Therefore, only paper copies can be accepted.  

  • Only original documents or certified copies are acceptable. Scanned, or photographed, documents cannot be accepted.

  • A photocopy of a certified copy is not acceptable. Only the actual certified copy is acceptable.

  • These must be posted to us, or delivered in person.

  • You may redact financial or personal information.

If you have any questions, please contact us

 

Documentation

Proof of Identity

  • A certified copy of ID clearly showing photograph, expiry date, signature, and any other relevant information (e.g. passport number).

  • If the name on the ID is different from your current name (e.g. due to marriage), please provide a certified copy of your marriage certificate or an equivalent document.

  • Please do NOT send original ID documents by post.

  • Please note that upon expiry of your ID, we will require an updated copy.

Examples of Acceptable ID documents

  • Passport (Irish or Foreign)

  • Passport Card ( front and back of the card)

  • Official Driving Licence (Irish or Foreign)

  • EU ID Card (include expiry date, front & and back of card)

Examples of Unacceptable ID documents

  • Polling Cards

  • Student ID Cards, 

  • Foreign documents not translated to English.

Proof of Address

  • TWO original or certified copies of a Proof of Address document. 

  • The document(s) must bear your name and address.

  • We will return original Proof of Address documents if you provide them; however, a certified copy is acceptable.


What information is needed on proof of address documents?

  • Utility bills or bank statements must not be more than 6 months old 

  • Must bear the name and address that you provided to us. 

  • The address must match your postal address. 

  • If letters from Revenue or Social Welfare are used for this purpose, they must be dated within the last 6 months and show your PPS number.


Examples of Acceptable Proof of Address documents

  • Current bank statements or credit/debit card statements issued by a regulated financial sector body in Ireland, the EU, or a comparable jurisdiction (including those printed from the internet)

  • Correspondence from a Regulated Irish Financial Institution (Insurance/Assurance Co., Bank, Building Society, Credit Union, Credit Card Company) that contains a policy or account number. (Please note that general correspondence is not accepted.)

  • Current utility bills (e.g., Gas, Electricity, Internet [except 4G and 5G routers], TV, or Landline Telephone), including online utility bills.

  • Refuse Collection Statements (e.g. Greyhound)

  • Insurance: Current Home, Health, or Motor renewal document, policy schedule, or certificate

  • Current documentation issued by the Revenue Commissioners showing your name, address, and PPS number

  • Current documentation issued by the Department of Social and Family Affairs showing your name, address, and PPS number

  • Instrument of a court appointment (such as liquidator, or grant of probate; certified copies only; do NOT send originals)

  • Driving License - issue date within the last year.


Examples of Unacceptable Proof of Address documents

  • Two proofs of address from the same institution (i.e., a credit card and bank statement from the same bank)

  • TV License

  • Polling Cards

  • Invoices

  • An Post documentation

  • Share Certs

  • Mobile Phone Bills

  • Motor Tax documents

  • Foreign documents not translated to English

  • Electoral Register / polling card.

PLEASE DON’T SEND ID DOCUMENTS BY POST

Send certified copies only. You may bring original document to us for copying and certification.

The same applies to proof of address documents that are of value or importance; e.g. grant of probate, driving license etc. However utility bills and other low risk documents may be sent by post.