What UK Company Documents Does Amazon Seller Central Require?

If you have registered a UK limited company and want to sell through Amazon UK, you may need to provide company records, identity documents, proof of address and bank details before your seller account can be verified.

The exact requirements depend on your business type, country of residence, account information and the checks Amazon asks you to complete. For a UK limited company, the documents most worth preparing include the certificate of incorporation, a recent Companies House company report, proof of the company's address, evidence of your relationship to the business, personal identification and bank account information.

Not every seller will be asked for every document. Amazon generates verification requirements based on the details entered during registration, so the documents shown in your Seller Central account should take priority over any general checklist. This guide explains which UK company documents Amazon may request, what each document proves, how non-resident founders should prepare their paperwork and how to avoid common verification delays.

Quick Checklist: Documents Amazon May Require

For a UK limited company, prepare the following before starting your Amazon Seller Central application.

• Certificate of incorporation: Evidence that the company was registered with Companies House.
• Current Appointments Report (CAR) or company registration extract: Evidence of the company's current details and appointed officers, if requested.
• Articles of association: The company's constitutional document, which may be requested to verify its structure or your relationship to it.
• Statement of capital or shareholding evidence: May be needed to establish who owns the company.
• Company bank statement or eligible business address evidence: Supporting evidence for the company's details, where requested.
• Director's or account representative's identification: Usually a valid government-issued photo ID.
• Personal proof of address: Such as an eligible bank statement or utility bill.
• Evidence of authority or relationship to the company: For example, articles of association, a shareholder certificate or a letter of authorisation.
• Bank account details: The account used to receive Amazon disbursements.
• Tax details: Any information Amazon requests for the company's tax status or marketplace obligations.

Amazon's official UK seller registration guide and verification and compliance guide explain the process and document requirements. The important distinction is that these are documents to prepare, not a guarantee that Amazon will request every item. Some information can be verified electronically; other information may require an upload.

1. Certificate of Incorporation

The certificate of incorporation is the document Companies House issues when a UK company is successfully registered. It normally identifies the company by its registered name and company number and confirms its incorporation. It is a useful starting document when opening business accounts or proving that a company exists.

Why Amazon may ask for it: Amazon needs to establish the legal identity of the business associated with your seller account. Keep a clear digital copy available. Make sure the company name and registration number you enter in Seller Central match the certificate and the Companies House record.

However, do not assume the certificate alone will satisfy every business verification request. Amazon may require a more recent document that confirms the company's current status or details.You can check the public record through the Companies House register.

2. Current Appointments Report or Company Registration Extract

Amazon may request an official company document showing current company information, including directors and other relevant details. For a UK limited company, one document that may be requested is the Current Appointments Report (CAR). Depending on the verification process, Amazon may also refer to a company registration extract or equivalent official business document. This type of record can help Amazon check details such as:

• The company's registered legal name.
• Its company registration number.
• The registered office address.
• Current directors or appointed officers.
• The company's current registration status, where shown.

Amazon's document requirements can vary, so check the exact document name in the request shown in Seller Central. A generic Companies House search result or screenshot may not be an acceptable substitute for a requested official document.

If Amazon asks for a recent report, obtain the appropriate document and check the date requirements before uploading it. Amazon's published guidance for UK private limited companies identifies a Current Appointments Report dated within the previous 180 days as one document it may request.

3. Articles of Association and Shareholding Documents

The articles of association set out the rules for how a company is governed. They may help establish the company's structure and support checks into the relationship between the person registering the account and the legal entity. Amazon may also request evidence of the company's shareholders or ownership arrangements. Depending on the request, useful documents may include:

• Articles of association.
• A statement of capital.
• A shareholder certificate or equivalent ownership evidence.
• A relevant company document showing the allocation of shares.

These documents are particularly important if the person registering the Amazon account is not the only shareholder or is acting on behalf of the company. For example, if you own 70% of a UK company and another founder owns 30%, Amazon may ask for information identifying the people who own or control the business. You should disclose the ownership accurately and provide the requested supporting evidence.

Do not assume that being a director automatically proves that you are a shareholder or beneficial owner. These are different roles, even when one person holds more than one of them. Amazon's registration guide explains that business sellers may need to provide a document proving their relationship to the company, such as articles of association, a shareholder certificate or a letter of authorisation.

4. Company Bank Statement or Business Address Evidence

Amazon may ask for evidence supporting the company's address or financial details. Depending on the account and the request, this could include a company bank statement, an eligible utility bill or another accepted business document. A company bank statement may help establish that the account belongs to the business and support verification of the company's details. An eligible utility bill may be used to confirm an address where Amazon accepts that document type.

Check the instructions carefully before choosing a document. A statement issued to a director personally is not necessarily equivalent to a statement issued in the company's legal name. Amazon's published guidance for UK limited companies identifies a company-named utility bill, bank statement or credit card statement dated within the previous 180 days among the documents it may request. Its guidance also notes restrictions on certain documents from financial service providers or online digital banks for specific verification checks.

This means you should not assume that every fintech statement or digital account statement will be accepted for every purpose. Follow the requirements shown for your specific verification request. If you use a registered office service, remember that the registered office and the company's operating address may serve different purposes. Do not present a mail-handling address as a physical workplace if it is not one.

5. Director's Passport or Other Accepted Identity Document

Amazon needs to verify the identity of the person registering the seller account and, where applicable, other individuals associated with the business. Accepted identity documents may include a valid passport, national identity card, driving licence or residence permit, subject to the requirements for the person's country and account.

Your document should be valid, readable and consistent with the personal information entered in Seller Central. Amazon may check details such as your full legal name, date of birth, citizenship and identity document number. Before uploading your ID:

• Check that it has not expired.
• Ensure all required information is visible and legible.
• Enter your name exactly as it appears on the document.
• Follow Amazon's instructions for capturing or uploading the document.
• Provide any additional supporting evidence requested.

Non-resident founders should pay particular attention to this stage. A UK company can have a director who lives abroad, but that does not mean the director should use a UK address or UK identity details that do not reflect their actual circumstances. Amazon's verification and compliance guidance describes the identity documents and checks it may require.

6. Personal Proof of Address

Company address evidence and personal proof of address are not interchangeable. Amazon may ask the primary contact, legal representative or another person associated with the seller account to provide proof of their residential address. Depending on the requirements shown during verification, acceptable documents may include:

• A bank or credit card statement.
• A utility bill.
• A building society or credit union statement.
• Another specifically accepted address document.

Amazon's published verification guidance states that proof of address generally needs to show the individual's name and address, the issuing provider and the issue date. Its standard guidance specifies that the document must be dated within the previous 180 days and match the information entered in Seller Central.

For example, if you live in Nigeria but own a UK limited company, Amazon may need evidence of your Nigerian residential address. A registered office address in London does not prove that you live there. Use a genuine document issued by an accepted provider. Do not edit the address, alter the document or submit a screenshot where Amazon requires an original, unaltered statement.

7. Evidence That You Are Authorised to Represent the Company

Amazon may ask you to prove that you are entitled to register or manage the seller account on behalf of the company. This requirement is especially relevant when the person completing registration is not a director or shareholder, or when a business employs an external representative to manage its account. Depending on the circumstances, evidence may include:

• Articles of association or incorporation documents.
• A shareholder certificate.
• An employment contract.
• A letter of authorisation.
• Another document Amazon accepts as proof of the person's relationship to the business.

For instance, if a company director appoints an employee to complete registration, Amazon may request evidence showing that the employee is authorised to act for the company. The document should reflect the real relationship. Do not create an informal or misleading authorisation simply to satisfy a verification request. Amazon explains the primary contact person's role and the types of documents that may establish their relationship to the business in its seller registration guide.

8. Bank Account Details for Amazon Payouts

Amazon needs payment details so it can disburse sales proceeds to the appropriate account. During registration, you may be asked for information such as:

• Account holder name.
• Bank account number.
• Sort code or other relevant banking details.
• Additional account information required for your country or payment arrangement.

If Amazon cannot verify the account automatically, it may request a recent bank statement. Its UK registration guide explains that sellers may need to upload a bank statement dated within the previous 180 days if automatic verification is unsuccessful. For a limited company, a business account held in the company's name is generally the clearest arrangement. However, the account must meet Amazon's current payment and verification requirements.

Check that the legal company name and account details are correct. Do not assume that an account is acceptable simply because it provides a UK sort code or can receive transfers.

9. Tax Documents and Additional Business Evidence

Amazon may request tax information during registration or later account reviews. The requirements depend on your business structure, residence, marketplace activity and the particular checks being conducted. Possible information may include tax identification details or documents supporting a tax registration, where relevant. It is important to distinguish between these UK identifiers:

These identifiers serve different purposes. A company registration number is not a VAT number, and incorporating a company does not automatically mean that it is VAT-registered. Do not apply for a VAT number solely because you assume Amazon requires every seller to have one. First establish whether VAT registration applies to your circumstances, including where your goods are stored and where your customers are located.

If Amazon requests a particular tax document, provide that document or ask Amazon what alternatives it accepts. Do not substitute an unrelated tax identifier for the document requested.

How to Prepare Your Documents Before Registering

A little preparation can prevent repeated uploads and unnecessary delays. Use this checklist before opening or completing your Seller Central account.

• Confirm that your company is active on Companies House.
• Check the legal company name, company number and registered office.
• Obtain the certificate of incorporation.
• Prepare a recent Current Appointments Report or other official company record if required.
• Gather the articles of association and shareholding evidence if relevant.
• Prepare a valid passport or another accepted identity document.
• Obtain recent proof of your actual residential address.
• Prepare evidence of your authority to act for the company if needed.
• Check that your payout account meets Amazon's requirements.
• Prepare a recent bank statement or eligible business address document if requested.
• Gather relevant tax information.
• Check the file format, issue date and other instructions displayed in Seller Central.

Amazon's verification requirements can vary by country and business type. Treat the document list shown in your account as the final guide to what you must submit.

Common Reasons Amazon Rejects Company Documents

Even genuine documents can be rejected if they do not meet the stated requirements.

Inconsistent company information

The legal name, registration number or address in Seller Central does not match the supporting records. Check for spelling differences and outdated details.

Documents that are too old

Amazon may require certain statements or company reports to have been issued within the previous 180 days. Check the requirement for each document rather than assuming the date rule is identical for every upload.

Poor-quality scans or photographs

Blurred, cropped or incomplete images can prevent verification. Upload a clear, complete document in an accepted format.

Incorrect proof of address

A director's personal statement may not prove the company's address, and a registered office address does not prove the director's residence. Match each document to the specific requirement.

Missing evidence of ownership or authority

Being a director, shareholder and authorised representative are different roles. Provide the evidence Amazon requests for your particular role.

Unsupported financial documents

Some financial service provider or online bank statements may not be accepted for particular verification checks. Confirm eligibility before relying on a document from a digital account provider.

If Amazon rejects a document, read the explanation in Seller Central and respond to the specific issue. Avoid repeatedly uploading the same document without correcting the problem.

FAQ: Amazon Seller Central Company Documents

1. Is a certificate of incorporation enough to open an Amazon UK seller account?

Not necessarily. It establishes that the company was incorporated, but Amazon may also require a recent company record, identity documents, proof of address, evidence of your relationship to the company and payout details.

2. Does Amazon require a Current Appointments Report?

Amazon may request a Current Appointments Report for a UK limited company. Its published guidance identifies a report dated within the previous 180 days as one possible document. Follow the specific request shown in Seller Central.

3. Do I need a UK utility bill in the company's name?

Not in every case. Amazon may request a company-named utility bill, bank statement or another eligible document to support business verification. The accepted evidence depends on the verification request.

4. Can I use my passport and a Nigerian bank statement if I live in Nigeria?

You may be able to use these documents if they meet Amazon's current requirements for your country and account. The identity document and proof of address must be accepted, current and consistent with the information entered during registration. A Nigerian bank statement does not automatically satisfy every requirement.

5. Does Amazon require articles of association?

Amazon may request the articles of association or other documents to establish the company's structure or your relationship to it. Whether they are required depends on the verification process and the details of your application.

6. Must the company bank statement be in the director's name?

For company verification, Amazon may request evidence in the legal business name. Payout account requirements are a separate issue, and the account must meet Amazon's applicable payment rules. Check the precise wording of the request before uploading a statement.

7. Does Amazon require a VAT certificate?

Not universally. Amazon may request tax information depending on the seller's circumstances. Whether your business must register for VAT depends on the applicable tax rules, including its sales and inventory arrangements.

8. What should I do if Amazon keeps rejecting my documents?

Read the rejection message carefully, check the required document type and issue date, and correct any mismatches in names or addresses. If the instructions remain unclear, contact Amazon Seller Support through Seller Central and ask which document or detail needs to be corrected.

Conclusion

Amazon Seller Central may require several documents to verify a UK limited company, but there is no single fixed bundle that applies to every seller. Start with the certificate of incorporation and an up-to-date official company record. Prepare your identity document, personal proof of address, ownership or authorisation evidence, bank details and any company address or tax documents Amazon specifically requests.

For non-resident founders, the most important principle is to keep company information separate from personal information and make sure both are accurate. A UK registered office does not replace proof of where you live, and company incorporation does not guarantee seller account approval. Prepare the paperwork before registration, follow the instructions in Seller Central and address verification requests precisely. That gives your business a clearer path through onboarding and a stronger foundation for selling on Amazon UK.