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How do I get approved to bid?

For individuals:

Before an auction: When you register online for an auction, please enter your full name, email, address, date of birth and nationality, and provide a valid credit card in your name, which will be verified by Stripe. A small charge will be taken and fully refunded as part of the verification process. This will appear on your bank statement as 'Bonhams'.

If you do not have a credit or debit card, our Client Services team can review your photo ID (such as a driving licence or passport) after you have created an account online.

After the auction, if you are the winning bidder (and your purchase is over a certain financial threshold): We may need you to upload a government-issued photo ID showing your full name, date of birth and address (e.g. a driving licence or passport) before you can receive your purchase.

For businesses and corporations:

If you wish to bid on behalf of a business, please create a business account.

Before an auction: When you register online for an auction, please enter the full name of the company, your full name, email, address, nationality of the company, and provide a credit card which will be verified by Stripe. Please note that, if you're the winning bidder, you must pay from a bank account in the company's name.

If you do not have a credit or debit card, our Client Services team can review your company documentation (below) after you have created an account online.

After the auction, if you're the winning bidder: Before you can receive your purchase, we need to verify your identity. Please upload:

  • The company's Certificate of Incorporation, confirming the company's name and registered address

  • Documentary proof of each beneficial owner owning 25% or more of the company, including their government-issued photo ID showing their full name, date of birth and current address (e.g. a driving licence or passport)

  • If you're not a company director, we'll need a letter on company letterhead confirming your authority to act.

For trusts, institutions, estates and other entities:

We welcome bids from trusts, institutions, estates and other entities. Please contact us for assistance.