When starting the verification process, you must collect and submit the required verification information from your user. These requirements depend on:
- The country your users are operating in
- The legal entity of your user
- The levels for the capabilities you request for your user
In addition to the minimum required information based on the country and legal entity type, when issuing cards you must also collect your user's VAT number. If they are operating in a country that does not have VAT system, collect their tax ID instead.
This page helps you determine what verification requirements apply to your users based on these factors.
Country of operation
Verification requirements vary based on the regulations in the country where your user is operating in. For example, in Belgium, a sole proprietorship is required to have a registration number, while this is not required in the United Kingdom.
See minimum required information for more details on the requirements for specific countries and legal entities.
Legal entity type
Verification requirements vary based on your user's legal entity type. A legal entity can be a person or an entity that represents your user's business, such as a public company or a nonprofit organization.
The user that holds a contractual relationship with your is the main legal entity. You must collect information about the main legal entity, and about other entities that are associated with this user. For example, if your user is a private company, you must also collect information about the owners of the company. You must create individual legal entities for each owner and link them to the company, which is the main legal entity that is conducting business with your .
The following tabs show the legal entity types and describe the general requirements for the data that you need to collect from them.
The entity is an organization registered in the country they are operating in.
An organization is further classified into one the following types:
- Private company: the organization is in the private sector and is owned and run by directors.
- Listed public company: the organization is listed publicly and run by directors.
- Nonprofit or charitable organization: the organization has an official status as not-for-profit or tax-exempt, sometimes called a non-governmental organization (NGO).
- Incorporated association: the organization is a registered entity without profit that is organized around a purpose such as recreation, culture, or charity.
- Incorporated partnership: the organization is formed through an agreement between two or more members.
- Governmental organization: the organization is owned by the government or state.
In general, to onboard an organization, you must collect:
- The legal name of the organization
- The registration number
- The registered address and the principal place of business, if different from their registered address
- The ultimate beneficial owners, controllers, and signatories
- The bank account for payouts
Ultimate beneficial owners, controlling persons, and signatories
As part of the checks for an organization, Adyen also verifies the identity of all individuals that are associated with the organization. We refer to these individuals as ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) through ownership or control, directors, and signatories.
Organizations with UBOs, signatories, and directors that reside outside of the current supported countries and regions may require additional due diligence. Reach out to your Adyen contact to confirm if these individuals can be accepted.
The table below describes the criteria for identifying them, and the minimum required number for each.
| Who | Criteria | Required number of individuals |
|---|---|---|
| UBOs through ownership | Individuals who directly or indirectly own 25% or more of the total shares, voting rights or other equity in the organization. | Between zero to four. Adyen requires information about all individuals that fit the criteria. If no one owns 25% or more of the organization, then information must be provided about UBOs through control. |
| UBOs through control | Any individuals who exercise ultimate effective control in making decisions for the whole organization. If such an individual cannot be identified, then members of senior management must be identified as UBOs through control. | At least one. Required if no one fits the criteria of UBO through ownership, or if the organization is operating in the United States. |
| Signatories | Officers or representatives who legally represent the organization towards Adyen and are authorised to enter a binding agreement with Adyen on behalf of their organization. | At least one. |
| Directors | Only applicable if the legal entity of the organization is located in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, or Singapore. A natural person responsible, individually or collectively as part of a board, for the overall governance and strategic direction of an organization. | Every director of the company. |
Multiple card users under one balance account
Some use cases might require having multiple card users under one balance account, but only the account holder will go through the verification. For example, creating named cards for multiple employees in one company.
If you have a similar scenario, reach out to your Adyen contact to discuss and confirm the use case.
Capability levels
Capabilities for card issuing can have different levels: low, medium, or high. Levels increase the capability, but may also require more checks and increased monitoring. The amounts below are the threshold amounts per card, per day.
| Capability | Low | Medium | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| withdrawFromAtm | 0 | Less than or equal to EUR 750 | More than EUR 750 and less than EUR 1000 |
| withdrawFromAtmInRestrictedCountries | 0 | Less than or equal to EUR 500 | More than EUR 500 and less than EUR 1000 |
| useCardInRestrictedCountries | 0 | Greater than 0 | Greater than 0 |
| useCardInRestrictedIndustries | 0 | Greater than 0 | Greater than 0 |