When creating your project, you'll need to provide UK bank account details. if your project is successful, money raised will be paid out to this bank account.
You may also need to upload your ID and an address document to verify your identity. As this verification process is automated, you'll need to upload a file in the correct format and meet all the requirements in or to be verified.
Bank account
You must provide details of a UK bank account registered to a UK mainland address in order to go live with your project. If you do not have a UK bank account or if your bank account is based in a British Crown Dependency (Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man) or a British Overseas Territory such as the British Virgin Islands, you will not be able to raise money with Crowdfunder at the moment.
You can use a traditional bank account with a financial institution (e.g. checking) or other types of accounts (e.g. savings) or a virtual bank account (e.g. Monzo, Revolut) providing it is with an actual bank and not a financial payments platform. You cannot use accounts which need reference numbers or specialist accounts.
What details do I need to provide?
The documentation you'll need to upload will depend on who is running the project. Individuals, organisations, registered charities and registered business all have different requirements.
Once you have uploaded your documentation, it usually takes between 5 minutes and 2-3 hours to be verified. However for some projects it can take up to 2 working days to be verified, so please be mindful of this. As this is all handled by our payment provider, we cannot speed up the verification process for you.
When entering your details in the Financials section, please be careful to ensure they match any documents you are uploading.
You can watch our video guidance or go to the relevant section below for further details on documentation.
Here is a link to our interactive video guide to help you.
Individual
Select this option if you're running the project as an individual or sole trader. You will need to enter your legal name, date of birth, home address and bank details. You may also be required to upload government issued ID and proof of your home address.
It does not matter if the project owner is not the named bank account holder, as the bank account is verified separately.
Organisation
Choose this option if you are running the project as an organisation. As an organisation, you will be required to supply the same personal information as for individuals, as well as entering the organisation name and the organisation bank details.
Registered charity
Choose this option if you are running the project as a registered charity. If your charity is not registered, you'll need to select 'Organisation' instead. As a registered charity, you will also be required to supply the same personal information as for individuals, as well as entering the charity name, registration number and the charity bank details.
Registered business
Choose this option if you are running the project as a business that is registered with Companies House. As a registered business, you will also be required to supply the same personal information as for individuals, as well as entering the business name, business address, company number and the business bank details.
In addition to the usual verification requirements, registered businesses must also provide a document showing:
Business name
Business address
Company number (issued by Companies House)
You can easily download an acceptable document from Companies House.
You will also need to provide the details for anyone that has 25% or more ownership of the business. This may include uploading proof of home address and government issued ID for each person with 25% or more ownership.
Documentation requirements
We always recommend uploading a clear photograph of the original document. Make sure there is no glare or reflection from bright lighting and that the text on the document is clearly readable.
Accepted identity documents:
Passport
UK issued photo driving licence
Biometric residence permit (BRP)
Citizen Card
Identity document requirements:
Documents must be uploaded in full colour as a PNG or JPG
Make sure that all corners and edges of the document are visible
Documents must be clear and readable
Documents must not be expired
Make sure the name and DOB on the document matches exactly with the details you've provided (for example, if your legal first name is 'Robert', you cannot enter 'Rob' as your first name)
Passport:
Take a photo that shows the entire passport, open on the page with your photo. Make sure that both pages showing your photo and personal details are visible. Check it is signed and has not expired.
UK issued photo driving licence:
Take a photo that shows the entire front of the driving licence. Check it has not expired.
Biometric residence permit (BRP):
Both the front and back of the card are required, as your DOB appears on the back of the card. You'll need to take two photos, then combine them into one file in order to upload them. Check it has not expired.
Citizen Card:
Take a photo that shows the entire front of the Citizen Card. Check it has not expired.
Accepted address documents:
Utility bill (must be from a large utility provider like Scottish Power, EDF Energy, British Gas, South West Water, etc.)
Bank statement
Government issued letter
Solicitors letter
Council or housing association documentation
Benefits Agency documentation
Electoral Register entry
Letter of registration with a GP
UK issued photo driving licence (if this has not already been used as your identity document)
Address document requirements:
At least one full page of the document where the full name and address of the individual are clearly stated and legible
Documents must be clear and large enough to read
Documents must be dated within the past six months
Documents can be uploaded as PNG, JPG or PDF
Accepted business documents:
Certificate of incorporation
Document issued by Companies House (must show the address currently registered with Companies House)
Business document requirements:
Documents must be clear and large enough to read
Documents must be valid and representative of up-to-date registration
The document must clearly show the business name, business address and company number (issued by Companies House).
If this information is spread across multiple pages of your document, please upload one PDF containing all the relevant pages
Documents can be uploaded as PDF
The company number and business address you enter in the Financials section must match the details on Companies House. You can use their search function to find your documents here.
What documents won't be accepted?
The following documents will not be accepted:
Tenancy agreement/lease
Utility company attestation letter
Private insurance bill
Telephone/mobile bill
How long will it take to be verified?
Whilst you account is being reviewed it will show as pending in the Financials section. You will receive an email once the documents have been reviewed. Reviews can take our payment provider up to 48 hours to complete.
If you are having issues going live and your account is showing as unverified please see our troubleshooting guide.
If you have been asked to set up a Crowdfunder Wallet in order to receive extra funding, please see his guide.