Which documents does a KYB check usually require?
A KYB check usually requires a company registry extract, the articles of association, an ownership chart or shareholder register, identity documents for directors and beneficial owners, proof of the business bank account and a description of the activity with a website. Higher volumes or risk can add financial statements and processing history. A good KYB process asks only for what is needed.
In detail
The documents asked during a KYB check depend on the country, the legal form and the risk of the business, but most onboarding teams start from the same list.
About the company
- Registry extract: name, number, address, status and directors.
- Articles of association or equivalent founding documents.
- Ownership chart or shareholder register, up to the beneficial owners.
About the people
- Identity documents for legal representatives and each beneficial owner.
- Proof of address where local rules require it.
About the activity
- Website and terms: products, prices, delivery and refund policy.
- Bank details: proof that the payout account belongs to the business.
- Volumes: expected monthly volume and average ticket, sometimes previous processing statements.
Many registries can now be queried automatically, which removes several uploads. The rule of thumb is to ask only for what the risk level requires, and to explain why each document is needed. See KYC vs KYB and merchant onboarding: KYB in half the time.