AML checks when you register to bid at auction

Why the questions feel detailed

UK auctioneers sit under money-laundering regulations like other property professionals. They need to identify you and, for cash-heavy purchases, understand where funds originated. That is not personal suspicion — it is a licence condition.

What you typically need

Passport or driving licence plus a recent utility bill or bank statement proving address. If a company bids, expect certificates of incorporation and evidence of who controls the entity.

Source of funds

Savings, equity release, a gift with a letter, or a loan facility each has a paper trail. Gather PDFs before you register so you are not screenshotting bank apps in the venue lobby.