Required Documents
This page lists the documents required for KYC verification, organised by legal entity type. PAI first attempts automatic verification using information submitted in the application. Documents listed here are required when automatic verification cannot be completed, or are required upfront for higher-risk entity types and MCC categories.
MCC-specific requirements apply in addition:
If your Merchant Category Code carries medium or high risk, additional documents are required beyond what is listed here. See MCC Document Matrix before submitting.
Document types
PAI may request any of the following document types depending on entity type and MCC:
For individuals (directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, UBOs)
- Photo ID
- Proof of residential address
- Proof of source of funds
- Proof of source of wealth (high-risk MCC only)
For organisations
- Registration document
- Proof of business address
- Proof of director
- Proof of ownership / UBO chain
- Proof of authorised signatory
- Proof of source of funds (medium and high-risk MCC)
- VAT document (EU)
For sole proprietorships
- Constitutional document or DBA filing
- Proof of address
United States
Sole Proprietor
| Document | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Government-issued photo ID | Passport, state driver's licence, or state ID card. Full name, photo, document number, and expiry date must be clearly visible. Must not be expired. |
| Proof of residential address | Utility bill, bank statement, or government letter. Dated within 90 days. Must match the application address exactly. |
| Constitutional document / DBA filing | "Doing Business As" certificate from the relevant county or state authority, or a current business licence. Must be issued within the last 12 months or contain a valid official stamp or signature. |
LLC (Limited Liability Company)
| Document | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Articles of organisation | Filed copy stamped or confirmed by the Secretary of State. |
| EIN confirmation letter | IRS Form CP-575 or 147C confirming the Employer Identification Number. |
| Photo ID — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs (25%+) | Passport or state-issued ID. Full name, date of birth, photo, document number, and expiry date must be clearly visible. |
| Proof of business address | Utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement in the company name. Dated within 90 days. |
| Proof of ownership / UBO chain | Written declaration or ownership chart identifying all individuals with direct or indirect ownership of 25% or more. For structures with intermediate entities, the full chain must be documented to natural person level. |
Member-managed LLCs:
If the LLC is member-managed and any member holds 25% or more, that member must provide photo ID. If manager-managed, the designated manager must also provide ID regardless of ownership percentage.
Corporation (C-Corp or S-Corp)
| Document | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Certificate of incorporation | Issued by the Secretary of State. |
| EIN confirmation letter | IRS Form CP-575 or 147C. |
| Board resolution | Signed resolution authorising the merchant account application, naming the individual authorised to act on behalf of the company. |
| Photo ID — all directors, authorised signatories, shareholders, and UBOs (25%+) | Passport or state-issued ID. |
| Proof of ownership / UBO chain | Ownership chart or certified declaration identifying all shareholders and UBOs with 25%+ direct or indirect ownership. |
Partnership
Availability varies by country. Confirm that partnership is a supported type in your jurisdiction before applying — see Supported business and entity types.
| Document | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Partnership agreement | Signed agreement identifying all partners and their respective ownership or profit shares. |
| Registration document | Filing or registration confirming the partnership's existence, where the jurisdiction requires registration. |
| EIN / tax identification confirmation | IRS confirmation (US) or local tax registration confirming the partnership's tax identifier. |
| Photo ID — all partners, authorised signatories, and UBOs (25%+) | Passport or government-issued ID. Full name, date of birth, photo, document number, and expiry date must be clearly visible. |
| Proof of business address | Utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement in the partnership name. Dated within 90 days. |
| Proof of ownership / UBO chain | Declaration identifying every natural person with 25%+ direct or indirect ownership or control. |
Trust
Availability varies by country and is limited to a small set of jurisdictions. Confirm trust is supported before applying — see Supported business and entity types.
| Document | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Trust deed | The full executed trust deed or equivalent constitutional document establishing the trust. |
| Photo ID — trustees, settlor, and beneficial beneficiaries | Passport or government-issued ID for each trustee, the settlor, and each beneficial beneficiary. |
| Proof of ownership / control | Documentation identifying every natural person who controls the trust or is entitled to 25% or more of its assets or income. |
| Proof of business address | Bank statement or utility bill in the trust or trustee name, dated within 90 days. |
European Union
EU merchants must provide the local equivalent of the document categories below. Accepted equivalents vary by member state. PAI confirms acceptability during review.
| Document category | EU equivalent |
|---|---|
| Registration document | Extract from the national commercial register — e.g. Handelsregisterauszug (DE), KvK-uittreksel (NL), extrait Kbis (FR), odpis z KRS (PL), visura camerale (IT) |
| VAT document | VAT certificate or VIES confirmation |
| Proof of director | Registration extract naming directors, or certificate of incumbency |
| Photo ID — directors, signatories, shareholders, and UBOs | National ID card or passport |
| UBO registry extract | Extract from the national UBO register as mandated by AMLD5/AMLD6. Required in most EU member states. |
| Proof of business address | Bank statement or utility bill in the company name, dated within 90 days |
UBO registries:
Where a national UBO register is not yet operational, a certified ownership declaration signed by a director may be accepted. Confirm with your PAI point of contact before submitting.
Document quality requirements
All documents must meet the following standards. Documents that do not meet these standards will trigger additional_info_required and delay your review.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Accepted file formats | JPEG, JPG, PNG, PDF |
| File size — JPEG / PNG | Minimum 100 KB, maximum 4 MB |
| File size — PDF | Minimum 1 KB, maximum 4 MB |
| Files per document type | Depending on document type |
| All four edges | Must be fully visible — do not crop |
| Legibility | All text, signatures, stamps, and photos must be clearly readable |
| Editing | Edited, cropped, filtered, or personalised documents are not accepted |
| Expiry — ID documents | Must not be expired at time of submission |
| Near-expiry | ID expiring within 6 months may be flagged for early re-verification |
| Proof of address — age | Dated within 90 days of submission |
| Bank statements — age | Dated within 12 months of submission |
| Address match | Must exactly match the address submitted in the application |
UBO chain: full disclosure required
For all entity types, every natural person who directly or indirectly owns or controls 25% or more of the entity must be declared and documented, regardless of how many intermediate legal entities exist in the ownership structure.
If no single individual owns 25% or more, you must still identify and document the individual or individuals with the most significant ownership or control.
Where ownership is held through trusts, funds, or other intermediate structures, PAI requires documentation for each layer of the chain, including the trust deed or equivalent and identification of the beneficial beneficiaries.
Ongoing updates
You must notify PAI in writing at least 3 business days before any change to the information or individuals covered by the documents listed on this page — including changes in directors, signatories, shareholders, or UBO structure.