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How to Create a TrustistTransfer Account as a Sole Trader

This guide explains how to set up a TrustistTransfer account if you are a sole trader.

A sole trader is someone who runs a business as an individual, rather than through a limited company.

Before You Start​

Before you begin, have the following ready:

  • Access to your email inbox
  • Access to your mobile phone
  • Your business name, or your full name if you do not use a separate business name
  • Your business website, social media page, marketplace profile, or another online page that shows your business
  • Your VAT number, if you have one
  • Evidence of your HMRC Unique Taxpayer Reference, also known as your UTR
  • Photo ID, such as a valid passport or driving licence
  • Proof of your personal address
  • Details of the bank account you want to use with TrustistTransfer
  • A recent bank statement, in case your bank cannot be connected automatically

Your proof of address must:

  • Show your personal address, not your business address
  • Be dated within the last 30 days
  • Match the address details you enter during onboarding
  • Not be from a challenger bank
  • Not be a business bank statement

Your UTR is a 10-digit tax reference issued by HMRC. If you are not sure where to find it, use the GOV.UK guide:

https://www.gov.uk/find-utr-number

1. Create Your Login​

Go to the TrustistTransfer sign-up page and enter your email address.

You will be sent a verification code by email. Enter this code on screen to confirm your email address.

After your email has been verified, complete the remaining account details, including your name and password.

You will also need to verify your mobile phone number. Use a phone number you can access easily, as you may need it when signing in later.

2. Tell Us About Your Business​

You will first be asked where your business is registered.

For a UK sole trader, select:

  • United Kingdom
  • Individual or Sole Trader

You will then need to choose the sector that best describes your business.

This helps us understand what your business does and what checks or documents are required.

You must also read and accept the terms and conditions before continuing.

3. Add Your Business Details​

Next, enter your business details.

If you trade under a business name, enter that name.

If you do not have a separate business name, enter your full legal name.

You must also enter your registered address. For a sole trader, this is usually the address connected to your business records.

VAT or tax number is optional at this stage if it does not apply to you. Your UTR evidence is uploaded later in the process.

You will also need to add the people connected to the business. For most sole traders, this will just be you. Make sure the details match the documents you provide.

4. Confirm the Applicant​

The applicant is the person completing the onboarding and acting for the business.

In most sole trader cases, this will be you.

Select your name if it appears on screen, then answer the authority questions. These confirm that you are authorised to act for the business and whether anyone else also needs to approve the set-up.

If another person is required to approve the set-up, they will need to complete their own verification.

5. Complete the Account Set-Up Checklist​

After the first few screens, you will see an Account Set-Up checklist.

Work through each item in the list. Some steps will already be complete. Any remaining steps must be completed before your onboarding can be submitted.

6. Complete About Your Business​

In this section, enter the general information about your business.

You must provide:

  • Your business name
  • Your website
  • Your online presence
  • The Trustist services you plan to use
  • Your role in the business
  • Your phone number

You can also enter your VAT number if you have one.

If you do not have a website, use another public page that shows your business, such as a social media page or marketplace profile.

7. Complete Identity and Address Verification​

You will be taken through identity and address verification.

Follow the instructions on screen. You will need to provide photo ID, such as a valid passport or driving licence, and take a selfie.

You will also need to provide proof of your personal address.

Your address document must show your personal home address, not your business address. It must also be dated within the last 30 days.

You cannot use a challenger bank statement or a business bank statement as proof of personal address.

Before uploading your document, check that:

  • Your name is shown clearly
  • Your personal address is shown clearly
  • The document is dated within the last 30 days
  • The details match the information you entered earlier
  • The image or file is clear and readable

Once the checks are complete, you will be returned to TrustistTransfer.

8. Choose Your Bank Account​

You must choose the bank account you want to use with TrustistTransfer.

This account will be used to receive payments from your customers and may also be used for transaction fees.

In most cases, you can connect your bank using Open Banking. Select your bank and follow your bank’s instructions to authorise the connection.

If your bank cannot be connected, upload a recent bank statement instead. The statement must be dated within the last 30 days and clearly show the account holder name, account number, and sort code.

9. Set Up Direct Debit​

If Direct Debit set-up is shown in your checklist, check the details on screen.

Make sure the address and bank account details are correct.

Tick the confirmation box to confirm that you are the account holder and are authorised to set up Direct Debit payments on the account.

10. Add More Business Information​

You must provide more information about how your business operates.

This includes:

  • The nature of your business
  • How customers can make complaints
  • Whether your business needs a licence
  • Whether you have had any legal sanctions or fines
  • The countries or areas you trade in
  • Any countries or areas you do not trade in
  • The payment methods you accept

If your business needs a licence, you must provide the licence details. If you do not hold the licence yet, you must explain why.

If you have had any legal sanctions or fines, you must provide the details requested on screen.

11. Upload Documents​

The documents required depend on your business and sector.

As a UK sole trader, you must upload evidence of your HMRC UTR.

Depending on your business activity, you may also need to provide extra documents, such as:

  • Licences or certificates
  • Customer terms and conditions
  • Complaints handling policy
  • Refund policy
  • Anti-money laundering policy
  • KYC or KYB process
  • Gambling licence or gambling controls policy, if relevant

Some requirements can be completed by uploading a file or by adding a website URL.

If an optional document does not apply to your business, mark it as not applicable.

12. Card Payments​

If the Card Payments step appears, choose whether you want to enable card payments now.

Card payments require you to agree to the card payment terms and may involve extra checks.

You can enable card payments during onboarding or skip this step and set them up later.

13. Finish Onboarding​

Your account will then be reviewed and prepared. You will receive an email when your account is ready.

If we need anything else from you, our team will contact you.

Need Help?​

If your account has not been approved after one full working day, or if you are unsure what to provide, contact:

customerservice@trustisttransfer.com