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We Use SmartSearch to Verify Directors’ Identities – and Why It Matters for You

Starting a new business is exciting — whether you’re launching your first UK company or expanding from overseas. But before your company officially forms, there’s an important step we must take: verifying the identity of each company director and beneficial owner.


As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), we’re legally required by Companies House and UK anti-money-laundering (AML) regulations to confirm that every person we’re registering is who they say they are.


That’s where our partner SmartSearch — and its innovative IDVT and SmartDoc technology — comes in.


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What Is SmartSearch and SmartDoc?


SmartSearch is a UK-based digital compliance platform trusted by thousands of firms to carry out secure ID checks.

Their SmartDoc service uses IDVT (Identity Document Verification Technology) — smart software that can check ID documents, match faces, and confirm a person’s identity in just a few minutes.


Think of it like an online passport control system — fast, accurate, and 100% secure.


How the Process Works

When we need to verify your identity, you’ll receive a secure link from us through SmartSearch.


Here’s what happens next:


  1. Upload your ID – You take a clear photo of your passport or driving licence.

  2. Take a quick selfie – SmartDoc asks for a live selfie to make sure the person submitting the ID is real and matches the document photo.

  3. SmartDoc runs checks – Behind the scenes, SmartDoc analyses your document using advanced fraud detection, checks security features like holograms and micro-text, and compares your selfie to your ID photo.

  4. Global verification – It confirms your details against trusted databases covering 200+ countries, so it works wherever you live.

  5. We get confirmation – Once verified, we receive a report confirming your ID is genuine and matches your profile.


The whole process usually takes less than five minutes — no need for posting documents or in-person meetings.



Why We Use SmartSearch


We use SmartSearch and SmartDoc because it helps us:


  1. Stay compliant with UK regulations As an ACSP, we must meet strict rules set by Companies House and AML regulators. SmartSearch ensures we’re always compliant — even when clients are based outside the UK.

  2. Protect your business (and ours) Digital verification reduces the risk of fraud, fake IDs, or identity theft. This keeps your new company safe and ensures only legitimate directors are registered.

  3. Make your life easier No paperwork, no appointments, no waiting weeks for approval — just a quick, secure online check.

  4. Support international clients

    Many of our clients are non-UK residents. SmartDoc recognises ID from over 200 countries, so we can verify directors anywhere in the world, from Singapore to Spain.


Real Example: How It Helps Our Clients

When Marta, an entrepreneur based in Poland, decided to open her UK tech startup, she worried about the time and complexity of providing proof of ID from abroad.


Using SmartDoc, she uploaded her passport and selfie from her phone in minutes. Within the hour, her identity was verified, and her company formation continued without delay.


No international courier costs. No stress. Just simple, secure onboarding.



The Big Picture: Trust and Transparency


Verifying directors’ identities isn’t just about compliance — it’s about building trust.

It protects the UK business environment, prevents fraud, and reassures our clients that their information is handled safely.


By using SmartSearch’s IDVT and SmartDoc technology, we can confidently say our onboarding process is:


  • Fast – most checks completed in minutes

  • Secure – encrypted and GDPR-compliant

  • Global – works wherever you are


In Summary


If you’re setting up a company with us, SmartSearch’s SmartDoc service helps us:


  • Verify who you are, wherever you are

  • Keep your data secure

  • Meet our ACSP obligations with confidence

  • Get your company formed faster and safely


So when you see that SmartSearch verification email — you’re just a few clicks away from being officially verified and one step closer to launching your business!

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