Compliance and legal disclosures

This section covers the KYC and AML compliance requirements and website legal disclosures needed before your merchant account can be approved.

Regulatory Compliance

Before a payment provider can process transactions for you, your business must pass regulatory checks set by financial regulators in the UK and EU. These are separate from the commercial risk assessment, and even long-established, profitable businesses must pass these checkpoints.

Know Your Customer (KYC)

KYC is a mandatory process where financial institutions verify the identity of their clients. Acquirers need to know exactly who owns and controls your company. Prepare the following in advance:

Document	Details Required
Proof of Identity	Valid government-issued ID (passport or driving licence) for all directors and major shareholders
Proof of Address	Recent utility bills or personal bank statements showing home addresses of directors and owners
Corporate Documents	Incorporation documents and a clear ownership structure chart

Ensure your details are consistent across all documents — inconsistencies slow down the process.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

AML checks verify that your business isn't being used to move illicit funds. Acquirers will look at:

Where your business is registered
Where your directors are located
Where your target customers are located

If you have a complex ownership structure, be prepared to explain it clearly. Vague or incomplete answers will result in rejection, so be transparent and check that your documents are consistent.

Website Legal Disclosures

Card schemes (Visa, Mastercard) and regulatory frameworks require your website to be transparent about who is taking the customer's payment. Acquirers will examine your site as part of the approval process.

Legal Entity Details

Display the following clearly in your footer or on a contact page:

Full registered company name
Official company registration number
Registered office address
Customer service contact details (email and phone number)

Required Policies

Your policies must be detailed, clearly written, and appropriate for the regions you serve:

Policy	Key Requirements
Terms & Conditions	Identify the company, governing law, and jurisdiction
Refund & Returns	Explain the returns process and refund timelines, in line with UK and EU consumer protection law
Privacy & Cookies	Outline how customer data is collected and handled
Shipping	Provide realistic delivery timelines for physical goods