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AML/CFT Compliance📖 7 min read▼ Printable

AML/CFT Documentation
Checklist — Guyana

Under Guyana's Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism legislation, five documents must be provided and verified before any insurance coverage can be bound. This guide explains each document, who must provide it, and how to obtain it — including for foreign companies and diaspora clients.

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Section 1What is AML/CFT and why does insurance require it?

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) refers to the laws and procedures designed to prevent criminals from disguising illegally obtained funds as legitimate income. Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT) refers to efforts to prevent the funding of terrorist activities.

The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Guyana oversees compliance. Insurance companies that fail to conduct proper due diligence face regulatory sanctions — which is why no insurer or broker can bind coverage without completing this process, regardless of urgency.

⚠ No insurance coverage can legally be bound in Guyana until all five AML/CFT documents have been received and verified. This applies to every client — local and international, individual and corporate.

ⓘ We can begin the quoting process and market placement in parallel while you gather documents. The AML/CFT process does not need to delay getting started — it just needs to be complete before coverage is confirmed.


Section 2Document 1 — Identity documentation

Required for: all Directors, Beneficial Owners, Trustees (where applicable), and every Shareholder holding more than 10% of paid-up share capital.

Acceptable documents — one per relevant person

Key requirements

ⓘ For groups or families with multiple qualifying shareholders, prepare ID documents for everyone before contacting us. The most common cause of delay is missing documents for one shareholder or director.


Section 3Document 2 — Proof of address

A utility bill issued within the last three (3) months. Must be in the name of the individual or entity being verified.

Accepted providers in Guyana

Requirements

⚠ Mobile phone bills are generally not accepted as proof of address. Bank statements may be accepted as an alternative in some circumstances — contact us to confirm before submitting.

ⓘ For diaspora clients and foreign companies, international utility bills or bank statements showing a residential or business address are generally accepted as an equivalent. Contact us before submitting to confirm which documents are acceptable for your specific situation.


Section 4Document 3 — Certificate of incorporation

A certified copy of the entity's primary registration document. The specific document depends on the legal structure of the entity.

Which document applies to your entity

Requirements

ⓘ For foreign companies entering Guyana for the first time, overseas incorporation documents are accepted. We advise on the specific equivalents required for your jurisdiction — contact us with your company's country of incorporation and we will confirm exactly what is needed.


Section 5Document 4 — Tax identification certificate

A copy of the company's Tax Identification Certificate (TIC) issued by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). This confirms the entity's registered tax status in Guyana.

Key information

How to obtain a TIC (new businesses)

ⓘ If your company is still in the process of GRA registration when you need insurance urgently, contact us — we will advise on the options available while registration is pending.


Section 6Document 5 — Customer verification form

A standard form prescribed under AML/CFT regulations that collects key information about the entity, its ownership, the nature of its business, and the source of funds used to pay insurance premiums.

What the form covers

What is a Politically Exposed Person (PEP)?

ⓘ We provide the Customer Verification Form and guide every client through its completion at no charge. Contact us and we will send the form immediately.


Section 7Foreign companies and diaspora clients

Specific guidance for non-Guyanese entities

Practical tips for remote document submission


Section 8Timeline and what to expect

Typical process timeline

⚠ The most common cause of delay is incomplete documentation — particularly missing ID for one beneficial owner or an out-of-date proof of address. Prepare all five documents before submitting to avoid back-and-forth.

ⓘ For urgent requirements — for example, where a contract start date is imminent — contact us immediately and we will prioritise your application and work with you to gather documents as quickly as possible.