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What ID checks do Vestd perform?

Who gets checked, what you'll be asked for, and how long it takes.

Last updated: 07/09/2026

TL;DR: This guide explains the ID checks run by Vestd, the UK's FCA regulated share scheme and equity management platform. It covers who gets checked, what you'll be asked to provide, what we screen you against, how long a check takes and what happens if one doesn't pass. The checks are soft checks, so they leave no mark on your credit file.

Before you can set up a company on Vestd, join one as an admin, or invest through the platform, we need to confirm that you are who you say you are. Here's what that involves and what happens afterwards.

Contents 📋

 

A few terms you'll see

These come up throughout the guide, so we've explained them once here:

  • ID check: confirming that you are who you say you are, using a photo of an identity document and a photo of you.
  • KYC (know your customer): the wider set of checks a regulated firm runs on the people it does business with. Our ID checks are part of ours.
  • Yoti: an identity verification provider we use to run the checks.
  • PEP (politically exposed person): someone who holds a prominent public role, or is closely connected to someone who does. Regulated firms are required to identify them.
  • Sanctions list: a government-maintained list of people and organisations that firms are not permitted to do business with.
  • Adverse media: news reports that link a person to crime.
  • Soft check: a check that leaves no mark on your credit file and doesn't affect your credit score.
  • PSC (person with significant control): someone with a large shareholding in a company, or another form of control over it.

 

Who gets checked

We run an ID check on everyone who joins Vestd. That includes:

  • All Super admin users
  • PSCs
  • Directors (note: We ID check directors only if the user signing up isn’t a director themselves)
  • Investors

We also check a company's Persons of Significant Control.

 

What the check involves

We use an external provider to run our ID checks. You'll be asked to:

  • share a photo of an identity document e.g. passport, national identity card, driver’s licence
  • take a photo of yourself

If we ask you for more than one document, the names on them need to match.

Note: Do not email us identity documents. Only submit these through the ID check process link.

 

What we check you against

As well as confirming who you are, we screen you against databases that flag politically exposed persons, sanctions lists, and adverse media, meaning news reports that link a person to financial crime.

This is what's known as KYC, or know your customer. We're FCA regulated, and these checks are part of how we meet our anti-money laundering obligations.

 

How long it takes

Most checks are completed within a few hours.

If your check doesn't pass, you might be asked to repeat the ID checks. If we need anything else from you, we'll be in touch.

 

Why we run these checks

We take your data protection and the management of your share schemes seriously. As an FCA regulated company, we have a responsibility to know and verify anyone who can access, action or change sensitive company information.

 

FAQs

Will this affect my credit score?
No. These are soft checks, so they leave no mark on your credit file.

Why am I being checked if I can't edit anything on the company’s Vestd account?
We will check individuals dependant on the services we are providing for you. This is how we meet our obligations as an FCA regulated firm.

I've been asked for a second document. Why?
Sometimes a single document isn't enough to complete the check. If we ask for another one, make sure the name on it matches the name on the first.

What happens if my check doesn't pass?
We'll get in touch to let you know and to explain what we need from you.

Who runs the check?
Yoti, an identity verification provider. You'll be taken through their process, and the result comes back to us. Find out more about Yoti’s identity verification.

Need support?

If you have any questions, our dedicated Customer Success team is here to help: support@vestd.com

Not onboard yet? Hop on a call.

Our team, content and app can help you make informed decisions. However, any guidance and support should not be considered as 'legal, tax or financial advice.'

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