Also known as:Partner Verification, IB KYC, Partner Due Diligence, Partner Onboarding Verification
What is Know Your Customer (KYC) for IBs?
KYC for IBs is the due-diligence process a broker runs to verify the identity, address, and legal standing of an Introducing Broker before activating the partnership. You submit standard ID and, for companies, corporate documents, and the broker checks them against sanctions and AML rules.
KYC is the partner-side mirror of the identity checks brokers already run on traders. Regulators such as CySEC, the FCA, and ASIC require regulated brokers to know exactly who they are paying commissions to, because paying an unverified or sanctioned party is a money-laundering risk. Your KYC file is what lets the broker justify that payout to its auditors.
Key takeaways
It is the gate to tracking links, portal access, and withdrawals
Individuals need photo ID plus a proof of address under three months old
Corporate IBs add incorporation and beneficial-owner documents
Names on documents must match the IB application exactly
Re-verification recurs, so keep IDs current to avoid frozen payouts
For an individual IB the pack is usually a government photo ID (passport or national ID) plus a proof of address dated within the last three months, such as a utility bill or bank statement. A corporate IB adds a certificate of incorporation, proof of directors and beneficial owners, and sometimes a bank confirmation. Verification through a provider like Sumsub often completes in minutes to a day when documents are clean.
Until KYC clears you cannot receive tracking links, access the partner portal, or withdraw commissions. Brokers also re-run periodic reviews, so an expired ID or a change of company control can freeze payouts until you re-verify, which is why keeping your documents current matters as much as the initial check.
How it works
When you apply as an IB, the broker's compliance system asks you to upload identity and address documents, usually through an automated identity-verification provider. That provider runs document authenticity checks, a facial-liveness match on selfie ID, and screens your name against sanctions, PEP, and adverse-media lists. The broker's team reviews any flags.
Once you pass, your IB account is activated: tracking links are issued and withdrawals are enabled. The obligation is ongoing, not one-off. Brokers apply risk-based re-verification, so document expiry, a new payout method, or a change in company ownership can trigger a fresh check that must clear before commissions flow again.
1
Prepare your documents
Gather a valid government photo ID and a proof of address dated within three months, plus incorporation and beneficial-owner papers if you apply as a company.
2
Submit through the portal
Upload high-resolution, uncropped scans to the broker's compliance portal or its verification provider, and complete any selfie or liveness step.
3
Pass automated screening
The provider checks document authenticity and screens you against sanctions, PEP, and adverse-media lists; the broker reviews any flags.
4
Get activated
Once cleared, the broker issues your tracking links, opens the partner portal, and enables commission withdrawals.
5
Keep documents current
Refresh IDs before they expire and notify the broker of ownership or payout changes so periodic re-verification does not freeze payouts.
Why it matters for partnership: No completed KYC means no tracking links, no portal access, and no withdrawals, so it is the gate to every commission you earn. Clean, matching documents get you onboarded fast; mismatches freeze your payouts.
Real World Example
A new affiliate joining an FxPro partner programme uploaded a passport and a utility bill through the broker's Sumsub flow. The bill was four months old, so screening rejected it and payouts stayed locked. The affiliate re-submitted a current bank statement matching the application name exactly, cleared verification within a day, and their IB links and withdrawal option went live.
KYC for IBs vs KYC for traders
Aspect
KYC for IBs
KYC for traders
Who is checked
The partner referring clients
The end client depositing funds
Purpose
Justify paying commissions safely
Prevent laundering through trading accounts
Extra documents
Corporate and beneficial-owner papers
Usually just personal ID and address
Gate it opens
Tracking links and payouts
Deposits, trading, and withdrawals
Pro Tip
Keep a dedicated folder of current, high-resolution scans of your personal and corporate documents so you can onboard with a new broker in minutes, not days.
Common Pitfalls
Submitting an expired ID or a proof of address whose name does not exactly match your IB application, which rejects verification and freezes your payouts.
FAQ
What documents do I need for IB KYC?
At minimum a valid government photo ID and a proof of address dated within three months. Corporate IBs also submit incorporation and beneficial-owner documents.
How long does IB KYC take?
With clean, matching documents it often completes within minutes to one business day through providers like Sumsub. Flags or mismatches extend it to several days.
Why can't I withdraw my commission yet?
Most brokers block withdrawals until KYC is fully cleared. Check for an expired document, a name mismatch, or a pending periodic re-verification.
Do I have to redo KYC with every broker?
Yes. KYC is broker-specific because each regulated broker must verify its own partners, though keeping a document folder ready makes each onboarding fast.
Will my documents be safe?
Regulated brokers must protect your data under laws such as GDPR, but you should still confirm the broker is properly licensed before uploading sensitive documents.
Can KYC be required again after I am approved?
Yes. Brokers run risk-based re-verification, so an ID expiry, a new payout method, or a change in company ownership can trigger a fresh check.
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