If your company has a legal entity in the United States and you want to pay contractors through Remote, you need to complete business verification, also known as Know Your Business (KYB). This article explains what business verification is, why Remote requires it, what to prepare, and what happens after you submit it.
What business verification (KYB) is
Business verification, also called Know Your Business (KYB), is the process of collecting and verifying information about your company. It confirms who owns and controls your business before Remote can release payments to your contractors.
Who needs to complete business verification
You need to complete business verification if both of these apply:
- Your legal entity is registered in the United States
- You want to pay contractors through Remote
Business verification happens at the legal entity level, so you complete it separately for each US legal entity you add.
If your US legal entity was onboarded before January 19, 2026, your business verification status is Legacy and you do not need to complete this process.
Why Remote requires business verification
Business verification is a regulatory requirement rather than an optional step. It allows Remote to:
- Comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations
- Prevent financial crime and fraud
- Keep payments to your contractors secure and uninterrupted
When Remote asks you to complete it
Once you set up a legal entity in the United States and you are ready to pay contractors, Remote prompts you automatically. You receive:
- An email asking you to start business verification
- A to-do action in your Remote dashboard
- A business verification card in the Legal Entity section of your account
What to prepare before you start
Have the following ready so you can complete the flow in one sitting:
- Your legal entity details as they appear on your registration documents, including the legal name, registered address, and tax identification number
- The names, roles, and ownership percentages of your ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs)
- A valid government-issued photo ID for the person completing the verification
- Proof of your company address, such as a utility bill, rental agreement, or bank statement issued within the last three months
Remote may request additional documents on a case-by-case basis during the assessment, depending on what is needed to complete the review.
How to complete business verification
Step 1: Start the verification
Go to your legal entity page and click Start Now on the business verification (KYB) card.
Step 2: Confirm control of your company
Add your ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs). A UBO is a person who ultimately owns or controls your company through direct or indirect ownership of more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, or who otherwise controls how the company is managed. If no individual meets that threshold, name a senior managing official instead.
A UBO is an owner or controller of the company, not simply a stakeholder, employee, or point of contact. Listing people who do not meet the ownership or control threshold is the most common reason Remote needs to come back to you for more information.
Step 3: Complete ID verification
The person completing the verification confirms their identity through Persona, Remote's identity verification partner. Follow the prompts, upload your photo ID, and submit.
What happens after you submit
A member of Remote's compliance team reviews your submission manually to confirm the information is accurate and complete. Once your business verification passes, you can start paying your contractors.
You can keep inviting and onboarding contractors while your business verification is in review. Only contractor payments wait for the result.
How long the review takes
Most reviews are completed within 2-5 business days after you submit everything Remote needs. A review takes longer when your ownership structure is complex or when Remote needs to request extra documents or clarifications.
If Remote needs more information
When something is missing or unclear, Remote sends you a Request for Information (RFI) in your dashboard. To keep your review moving:
- Check your dashboard and email for verification requests
- Reply with the exact document or detail requested
- Keep your contact details in Remote up to date so requests reach the right person
- Tell Remote when your legal name, ownership structure, or business activities change
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay contractors while business verification is in progress?
No. You can invite and onboard contractors, but payments are only released once your business verification passes.
Do I need to complete this if I already verified another legal entity?
Yes. Business verification applies to each legal entity, so a new US legal entity needs its own verification.
Who at my company should complete the verification?
The person who completes the flow needs to be able to confirm your ownership structure and complete identity verification on behalf of the company.
What happens if my business verification does not pass?
Remote lets you know the outcome and explains what it means for contractor payments on that legal entity.
If you have questions at any point, reach out through live messaging.
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