When applying for a World Account, you may be asked to provide documents to verify your business, directors, shareholders, ownership structure, and address.
Please provide clear, valid, and up-to-date documents. The information provided should be consistent across your application and supporting documents.
This guide covers:
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- Ghana
Individual Registration Documents
| Nigeria | Ghana | Kenya |
| Bank Verification Number (BVN) Your unique 11-digit Bank Verification Number (BVN) is required as part of the application process. Your BVN will be securely stored and protected by WorldFirst.  | National ID Accepted A valid Ghana National ID may be accepted and can be used to verify nationality.   | National ID Accepted A valid Kenyan National ID may be accepted and can be used to verify nationality.   |
| National ID Card The Nigerian National ID Card may be accepted where the required identity information is clearly visible. The 16-digit identification number should be clearly displayed   | Passport Accepted A valid passport may be accepted and can be used to verify nationality.  | Passport Accepted A valid passport may be accepted and can be used to verify nationality.  |
| Voter Card A Nigerian Voter Card may be accepted. Requirements: 1. The document must not be digitally altered or manipulated. 2. The personal information and photograph must be clear and readable.  | ||
| Passport A valid passport may be accepted for individuals and company applicants where applicable.  |
Proof of Address
You may need to provide Proof of Address (POA) in the following situations:
Individual accounts
If the identification document provided does not show your current residential address, you may need to provide a separate Proof of Address.
| Document | Nigeria | Ghana | Kenya |
| Bank Statement |  |  |  |
| Credit Card Statement |  | ||
| Utility Bill |  |  |  |
| Tenancy Agreement |  | ||
| Tax Document |  |  |  |
| Driving Licence |  |  |  |
Company Registration Documents
| Country | Required document |
| Nigeria | CAC Status Report generated within the latest 2 years |
| Ghana | Certificate of Registration |
| Kenya – Limited Company | Certificate of Incorporation / CR12 |
| Kenya – Sole Proprietor | Certificate of Registration of Business Name (BN2) |
Nigeria
CAC Status Report
The CAC Status Report should have been generated within the latest two years.
The report contains information about the company’s directors and shareholders/beneficial owners, so additional ownership documents may not usually be required where the required information can be verified from the report.
Ghana
Certificate of Registration
Kenya
Limited Company
Provide the Certificate of Incorporation and CR12, where applicable.
Sole Proprietor
Provide the Certificate of Registration of Business Name (BN2).
Director and Shareholder Identification Documents
The identification document provided for each relevant director or shareholder should:
- Match the individual identified in the company’s registration documents.
- Clearly show the individual’s identity information.
- Provide evidence of nationality where required.
- Be clear and legible, with no signs of alteration or manipulation.
Nigeria
The following identification documents may be accepted:
NIN / NIN Slip
Accepted
A NIN or digital NIN Slip may be accepted. Where the CAC Status Report clearly shows the individual’s nationality, a separate document to prove nationality may not be required.
Requirements:
The document must not be digitally altered or manipulated.
The personal information and photograph must be clear and readable.
Digital versions are acceptable.
National ID Card
Accepted
The Nigerian National ID Card may be accepted where the required identity information is clearly visible.
The 16-digit identification number should be clearly displayed
Voter Card
Accepted
A Nigerian Voter Card may be accepted.
Requirements:
- The document must not be digitally altered or manipulated.
- The personal information and photograph must be clear and readable.
Passport
Accepted
A valid passport may be accepted for individuals and company applicants where applicable.
Ghana
National ID
Accepted
A valid Ghana National ID may be accepted and can be used to verify nationality.
Passport
Accepted
A valid passport may be accepted and can be used to verify nationality.
Kenya
National ID
Accepted
A valid Kenyan National ID may be accepted and can be used to verify nationality.
Passport
Accepted
A valid passport may be accepted and can be used to verify nationality.
Proof of Address
You may need to provide Proof of Address (POA) in the following situations:
Business accounts
If your actual business/operating address is different from the company’s registered address, you may need to provide a Proof of Address for the operating address.
| Document | Validity requirement | Key requirements |
| Bank Statement | Issued within the latest 6 months | Must show your full name, full address, institution name and issue date |
| Credit Card Statement | Issued within the latest 6 months | Must show your full name, full address, institution name and issue date |
| Utility Bill | Issued within the latest 6 months | Water, electricity or gas bills. Must show your full name, full address and issue date |
| Tenancy Agreement | More than 6 months remaining on the lease | Must be signed by both the landlord and tenant |
| Tax Document | Issued within the latest 12 months | Must be issued by the relevant government tax authority |
| Driving Licence | Must be valid | The address must be your current residential address and the licence must not already be used as your identification document |
Please ensure that all information on your Proof of Address is clear and readable.
Additional Documents You May Be Asked to Provide
Depending on your business structure and application, we may request additional documents to complete verification.
Ownership Structure Chart
An Ownership Structure Chart may be required when the company’s directors or ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) cannot be fully verified from the documents provided or through publicly available information.
This may apply, for example, where ownership involves multiple layers of companies.
The Ownership Structure Chart should:
- Clearly show the ownership structure from the applicant company through to the ultimate beneficial owner(s).
- Include the relevant ownership percentages where applicable.
- Be dated within the latest 12 months.
- Be signed by a director or bear the company’s official stamp/seal, where applicable.
Shareholder and Director Declaration
A Shareholder and Director Declaration may be requested if valid documents are not available to independently verify the company’s directors or ultimate beneficial owners.
The declaration must be completed and signed by a director.
📎Shareholder and Director Form.pdf
Proof of Trading
In certain situations, we may request Proof of Trading to better understand your business activities and assess the nature and level of business risk.
This may be requested during or after your application, including where the business activities require further clarification.
Examples of acceptable Proof of Trading include:
Online business
- Screenshot of your online store’s homepage.
- URL of your online store or business website.
- Screenshot of the store’s management or administration page.
- Relevant transaction or processing records.
Business documents
- Invoices.
- Contracts.
- Receipts.
- Other documents showing your business transactions.
The documents should clearly demonstrate a connection to your business.
For example:
- An invoice or contract should show your legal or company name and, where applicable, be signed.
- Delivery documents should demonstrate that the relevant products or services have been provided.
- Website or online store information should clearly relate to your business.
- Product images should be relevant to your business and, where possible, identifiable with your brand or company name.
Business premises
You may also provide evidence of your business premises or warehouse, such as:
- Photos of the premises.
- Tenancy or lease agreements.
- Other documents showing the business operates from the stated location.
Where photos are provided, they should clearly demonstrate a connection to your legal or company name where possible.
Important Tips
To avoid delays during verification:
- Provide clear documents — all text, photographs and document details should be readable.
- Use valid documents — ensure documents meet the relevant validity period.
- Keep information consistent — names, company information and addresses should match across your application and supporting documents.
- Provide complete documents — avoid cropped images or screenshots that omit important information.
- Do not digitally alter documents — modified or manipulated documents may not be accepted.
- Provide additional documents promptly if requested during the verification process.
If more information is required, we will contact you with details of the additional documents needed.