Certify your business
To become a WBWO member, you show who owns and runs your business, and that it’s legally registered and really trading. What else you send depends on the membership category you choose. Tax documents are optional for Startup and Small business members.
Documents you’ll need
Checklist for: Startup
Checklist for: Small business
Checklist for: Mid-sized business
Checklist for: Large company or group
Send clear color scans or photos, with every page and corner visible. If a document isn’t in English, send a translation with it. We’ll only ask for a certified translation if we need one.
The people behind the business (KYC)
All of these are required
All of these are required
All of these are required
All of these are required
Know your customer checks, for everyone who owns 25% or more, every director, and the person applying.
Know your customer checks, for everyone who owns 25% or more, every director, and the person applying.
Know your customer checks, for everyone who owns 25% or more, every director, and the person applying.
Know your customer checks, for everyone who ultimately owns 25% or more, at least two directors, and the person applying.
Valid and in date, with a clear photo. A driving license on its own isn’t enough.
Valid and in date, with a clear photo. A driving license on its own isn’t enough.
Valid and in date, with a clear photo. A driving license on its own isn’t enough.
Valid and in date, with a clear photo. A driving license on its own isn’t enough.
A utility bill, bank statement or government letter from the last 3 months, in the person’s own name.
A utility bill, bank statement or government letter from the last 3 months, in the person’s own name.
A utility bill, bank statement or government letter from the last 3 months, in the person’s own name.
A utility bill, bank statement or government letter from the last 3 months, in the person’s own name.
A photo of the person applying, or a director, at your business premises with the business name or sign in view. Take it on a phone with location turned on, and upload the original file: screenshots and edited photos lose the location and time. Can’t take one? We can do a short video call at the premises instead.
A photo of the person applying, or a director, at your business premises with the business name or sign in view. Take it on a phone with location turned on, and upload the original file: screenshots and edited photos lose the location and time. Can’t take one? We can do a short video call at the premises instead.
A photo of the person applying, or a director, at your business premises with the business name or sign in view. Take it on a phone with location turned on, and upload the original file: screenshots and edited photos lose the location and time. Can’t take one? We can do a short video call at the premises instead.
A photo of the person applying, or a director, at your main office with the company name or sign in view. Take it on a phone with location turned on, and upload the original file: screenshots and edited photos lose the location and time.
A board resolution, or a signed letter from a director, confirming the applicant can apply for the business.
A board resolution, or a signed letter from a director, confirming the applicant can apply for the business.
A board resolution, or a signed letter from a director, confirming the applicant can apply for the business.
A board resolution, or a signed letter from a director, confirming the applicant can apply for the business.
Sanctions and politically exposed person screening
We check everyone named against international sanctions and watch lists.
We check everyone named against international sanctions and watch lists.
We check everyone named against international sanctions and watch lists.
We check everyone named against international sanctions and watch lists.
We do this. There’s nothing to upload.
The business itself (KYB)
At least 3, including the cancelled cheque
At least 3, including the cancelled cheque
At least 3, including the cancelled cheque
At least 3, including the cancelled cheque
Know your business checks, to confirm the business is real, legally registered and owned by the people it says.
Your certificate of incorporation or registration from the company registry.
Your certificate of incorporation or registration from the company registry.
Your certificate of incorporation or registration from the company registry.
The certificate of incorporation for the parent company and each trading subsidiary.
Memorandum and articles of association, bylaws, or your country’s equivalent.
Memorandum and articles of association, bylaws, or your country’s equivalent.
Memorandum and articles of association, bylaws, or your country’s equivalent.
Memorandum and articles of association, bylaws, or your country’s equivalent.
Your shareholder register, showing everyone who owns 25% or more.
Your shareholder register, showing everyone who owns 25% or more.
Your shareholder register, showing everyone who owns 25% or more.
A group chart from the parent company down to every subsidiary, naming the ultimate owners.
The latest filing from the company registry that names your current directors.
The latest filing from the company registry that names your current directors.
The latest filing from the company registry that names your current directors.
The latest filing from the company registry that names your current directors.
A utility bill, lease or bank letter for your registered or trading address, from the last 3 months.
A utility bill, lease or bank letter for your registered or trading address, from the last 3 months.
A utility bill, lease or bank letter for your registered or trading address, from the last 3 months.
A utility bill, lease or bank letter for your registered or trading address, from the last 3 months.
Your tax identification number certificate, plus VAT or GST registration if you have one.
Your tax identification number certificate, plus VAT or GST registration if you have one.
Your tax identification number certificate, plus VAT or GST registration if you have one.
Your tax identification number certificate, plus VAT or GST registration if you have one.
A cancelled cheque from the business bank account, showing the account name and number. If your bank doesn’t issue cheques, send a bank letter with the same details. This one is required.
A cancelled cheque from the business bank account, showing the account name and number. If your bank doesn’t issue cheques, send a bank letter with the same details. This one is required.
A cancelled cheque from the business bank account, showing the account name and number. If your bank doesn’t issue cheques, send a bank letter with the same details. This one is required.
A cancelled cheque from the business bank account, showing the account name and number. If your bank doesn’t issue cheques, send a bank letter with the same details. This one is required.
Any license your sector needs, such as food safety, import and export, or financial services. Skip this if your sector needs none.
Any license your sector needs, such as food safety, import and export, or financial services. Skip this if your sector needs none.
Any license your sector needs, such as food safety, import and export, or financial services. Skip this if your sector needs none.
Any license your sector needs, such as food safety, import and export, or financial services. Skip this if your sector needs none.
Two recent invoices, contracts or purchase orders with real customers or suppliers.
Website and online presence
We check that your website, domain and listings match your registered details.
We check that your website, domain and listings match your registered details.
We check that your website, domain and listings match your registered details.
We check that your website, domain and listings match your registered details.
We do this. There’s nothing to upload.
Tax and finances
Optional for your category: send what you have
Optional for your category: send what you have
At least 1
At least 1
Optional for Startup members. Send any accounts or tax returns you already have; they help your review, but nothing here is required.
Optional for Small business members. Send whatever you have; it helps your review, but nothing here is required.
To show your business files its taxes and stays solvent.
Audited figures, and proof you’re up to date with tax in every country you operate in.
A balance sheet and profit and loss statement, from your accountant or bookkeeping software, for the months you’ve traded.
Including VAT or GST returns. If you haven’t filed any yet, tell us when the first is due.
Your latest annual accounts, or a turnover certificate from your accountant or tax authority. Optional now, but members need it approved before they can ask for a loan.
Your latest annual accounts, or a turnover certificate from your accountant or tax authority. Members need this approved before they can ask for a loan.
Your latest audited accounts, or a turnover certificate from your auditor. Members need this approved before they can ask for a loan.
Your latest corporate income tax return, if you’ve filed one.
Your corporate income tax returns for the last 3 years, with the tax office’s acknowledgment.
The last 3 years, for the parent company and each trading subsidiary.
Your recent VAT or GST returns, if you’re registered.
Your last 4 quarterly returns, if you’re registered.
The last 4 quarters, for each registered company in the group.
A certificate from your tax authority confirming you owe no overdue tax, if your country issues one.
A certificate from your tax authority confirming you owe no overdue tax, where your country issues one.
For each country you operate in, where that country issues one.
Your latest accounts, if you have them.
Accounts for the last 3 years, reviewed or audited by an independent accountant.
Audited financial statements for the last 3 years, including consolidated group accounts.
Workers and conduct
Optional, but they help your review
Optional, but they help your review
Optional, but they help your review
Optional, but they help your review
Welfare is in our name. We check that you treat the people who work for you fairly and lawfully.
WBWO Code of Conduct
Read and sign it as part of your application.
Read and sign it as part of your application.
Read and sign it as part of your application.
Read and sign it as part of your application.
You do this during your application.
Headcount, types of contract, and confirmation you pay at least the legal minimum wage.
Headcount, types of contract, and confirmation you pay at least the legal minimum wage.
Headcount, types of contract, and confirmation you pay at least the legal minimum wage.
Headcount by country, types of contract, and confirmation you pay at least the legal minimum wage everywhere.
If you employ staff: proof you’re registered for social security or payroll tax.
Proof you’re registered for social security or payroll tax for your staff.
Proof you’re registered for social security or payroll tax for your staff.
Proof of employer registration in each country where you employ people.
Health and safety and anti-bribery policies, if you have them written down.
Anti-bribery, health and safety, and supplier conduct policies, approved by your board.
What happens after you apply
Apply and upload
Create your account, fill in the application and upload your documents. Most people finish in under an hour.
Day 1
Pay the fee
Pay the first year’s fee by card once you’ve sent your application. If we don’t accept your business, we refund it minus 5%.
Identity checks (KYC)
We confirm each person’s ID, match your premises photo to your business address, and screen everyone named against sanctions lists.
1 to 3 working days
Business checks (KYB)
We confirm your registration, ownership and tax records with official registries in your country.
5 to 10 working days
Audit
A verification officer holds a one-hour video call with you to go through the business and your documents.
An accredited auditor reviews your records remotely and talks with you about how the business runs.
An accredited auditor reviews your records remotely, and visits your main site if anything needs a closer look.
An accredited auditor visits your main site and reviews records across the group.
Within 30 days
Decision and certificate
The certification committee decides. If you pass, you get your WBWO number, seal, public record and certificate the same day.
Renew every year
Tell us what’s changed, send your latest tax filings and complete a shorter re-audit to stay certified.
How we handle your documents
- Only our verification team and your assigned auditor can see them.
- They’re encrypted when you upload them and while we store them.
- We keep them for 5 years after your membership ends, so we can answer questions about past certifications, then delete them.
- Your public record shows only your business name, WBWO number, country, sector, certification status and audit dates. Never your documents, owners’ details or figures.
Start your application
Create an account, choose your membership category, add the people behind the business and upload your documents. You can save your progress and come back at any time.
Questions first? Email membership@wbwo.org.
- Upload documents as PDFs or photos, up to 20 MB each.
- Pay the first year’s fee by card once you’ve sent your application.
- Our team decides within 5 to 14 working days of a complete application.
- If we don’t accept your business, we refund the fee minus 5%. We don’t refund it if the application contains false information.