What Identification Is Accepted In My BOI Report?

Beneficial Ownership Reporting

Author

SnapFile Staff

Beneficial Owners and Company Applicants (if applicable) will need to provide an image of a valid, non-expired, government-issued photo ID. Need more details? We have lots for you below.

What types of ID are accepted?

FinCEN accepts the following types of identification for Beneficial Owners and Company Applicants in the Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR):

  • State-issued Driver's License
  • State, Local, or Tribal-issued ID 
  • U.S. Passport 
  • Foreign Passport 

Each identification must be non-expired, and an image of the relevant document must be attached with the BOIR submission. 

How do I take an image of my ID?

FinCEN only requires the front of your ID or ID page containing photo and identity information. The easiest way is to take a photo of your ID with a smartphone. Tips:

  • Make sure it’s good light where details can easily be seen, ideally with no flash due to holograms. If the image isn’t clear and readable, retake the photo in better light.
  • Make sure the image is in focus. If not, retake the photo.

If you don’t have a smartphone, you can:

  • Scan the ID with a home scanner or at a vendor, like Kinko’s or FedEx.
  • Ask a friend or family member with a smartphone to take a photo for you and email it to you.
  • Take a photo with a digital camera and upload to a computer or smartphone to add to your report.

What ID photo formats are accepted?

FinCEN only requires the front of your ID or ID page containing photo and identity information. In EasyFile, your image can be in any of these formats:

  • PNG
  • JPG/JPEG
  • HEIC 
  • PDF

If there is an issue with the format of your photo, our platform will tell you that after you upload.

What if my ID is expired?

If you have another form of government ID that is not expired, use that instead. Otherwise, you will need to renew at least one form of government ID in order to create and submit a BOI report.

What if I don’t have a government issued ID?

FinCEN requires a government ID to file a BOI report. If circumstances exist, such as an incapacitated beneficial owner with no ID, it’s best to consult a lawyer for guidance. Please see our short list of qualified attorneys ([add hyperlink for recommended attorneys page here]) who are happy to help you.

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