The Hero verification guide
Verification is what makes a London Hero worth trusting — and it takes about ten minutes when you come prepared. This guide walks every step so you pass first time.
The golden rule: original photos only
Every image is checked automatically the moment you take it. Screenshots, scans, photos of screens, photos of photos, and edited images are declined on the spot — the checks look for the fingerprints these leave. A fresh capture with your phone’s camera, in decent light, sails through.
Sharp, bright, all corners visible, straight from the camera
Blurred, dark, cropped, filtered, screenshotted, or re-photographed
1Create your account and verify your contact details
Register at londonheroes.co.uk/account as a Hero. You'll accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, then verify your email (6-digit code) and your UK mobile. Your name and username are permanent — enter them exactly as you want clients to see them.
2Choose how you operate
Sole trader or limited company. Limited companies also complete business verification (KYB): the 8-digit Companies House number, your role, and a Person with Significant Control declaration. Have these ready before you start.
3Enter your details exactly as printed on your document
First name, surname, date of birth, and the document number — copied letter-for-letter from the document you'll photograph. Our automated checks read the document and compare; matching details mean a decision well inside the 3-hour window.
- Use the name printed on the document, even if you normally go by another
- Date of birth as DD/MM/YYYY
- The document number is on the photo page (passport) or front (licence/BRP)
4Photograph your identity document
Passport (photo page), UK driving licence (front and back), or biometric residence permit (front and back).
- Lay the document flat on a dark, non-reflective surface
- Daylight from a window beats indoor bulbs — avoid glare on the shiny areas
- All four corners in frame; fill most of the picture with the document
- Hold the phone still and tap the document on screen to focus
5Take your selfie — and a selfie holding the ID
Two captures: a clear selfie, then a photo of you holding the same document next to your face. Both you and the document details must be clearly visible — this is how we confirm the document belongs to you.
- Face the light, plain background, no hat or sunglasses
- Hold the ID beside your chin without covering the photo or text
- Ask someone to take the holding-ID photo if that’s easier — arm's length works too
6Review, consent, and submit
Check everything, tick the consent box, and submit. You'll get a reference immediately and a decision within 3 hours — by email and by notification on your dashboard. Your status shows In Progress until then.
If your application is rejected
The email tells you exactly why — usually a photo issue. Fix that one thing and resubmit from your dashboard; there’s no penalty and no limit. If anything is unclear, reply to the email and a human will help.