Taiwan Unified ID Number from the UK: Document Authentication Service

A Taiwan Unified ID Number application from the UK may require documents to be authenticated before an authorised representative can submit the application in Taiwan.

For applicants outside Taiwan, the National Immigration Agency states that identity documents and the relevant authorisation must be verified by a Taiwan overseas mission. The authenticated documents are then provided to the representative completing the application in Taiwan.

Ginkgo Advisory can handle the complete UK document preparation and authentication process. Our service covers solicitor certification, UK FCDO Apostille, Taipei Representative Office in the UK authentication and international courier delivery.

What is a Taiwan Unified ID Number?

A Unified ID Number is an identification number used for foreign nationals and certain other individuals dealing with administrative matters in Taiwan.

It may be needed for corporate registration, taxation, banking, investment, employment or other official procedures.

You may also see references to a Taiwan Uniform ID Number or Unified Identification Number. These terms are commonly used when searching for the same or related Taiwan identification procedure.

Can I apply for a Taiwan Unified ID Number from overseas?

Yes.

Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency provides a specific procedure for applicants who are outside Taiwan.

For a foreign national who has not entered Taiwan, the required documents include a passport copy and an authorisation for the appointed representative. The relevant documents must be verified by a Taiwan overseas representative office.

Once verification is complete, the documents can be provided to the authorised representative in Taiwan.

That representative then submits the application at the relevant National Immigration Agency service station.

What documents need to be authenticated?

For a typical UK-based foreign applicant, two important documents may need to be prepared:

1. A certified copy of the applicant’s passport
2. The signed authorisation for the Taiwan Unified ID Number application

The authorisation is particularly important.

Taiwan’s published guidance states that an overseas applicant’s authorisation must be verified by the relevant Taiwan overseas representative office.

Document requirements can vary depending on the applicant and the purpose of the Unified ID Number.

Taiwan Unified ID Number UK authentication process

Applicants in the UK may need several stages completed before their documents are ready for use.

Our service coordinates those stages from London.

Step 1: Solicitor certification

First, we arrange the required solicitor verification and certification.

For the passport, a copy is prepared and certified using wording suitable for the intended Taiwan authentication procedure.

Where a signature needs to be witnessed, our solicitor can also handle the appropriate execution and certification.

Step 2: UK FCDO Apostille

The certified documents are then submitted for a UK FCDO Apostille.

An Apostille authenticates the signature or seal of a recognised UK public official.

For this service, we arrange the appropriate UK Apostille process before the documents proceed to the Taipei Representative Office.

Step 3: TRO London document authentication

After Apostille, the documents are prepared for authentication by the Taipei Representative Office in the UK, often referred to as TRO London.

Careful preparation is important at this stage.

Authentication applications can involve separate application forms, supporting documents and authorisation paperwork.

Where an agent is authorised to present or collect documents, TRO London has a Letter of Authorisation procedure. Its published form states that the applicant’s signature must be notarised as genuine.

Step 4: International return of the authenticated documents

Following TRO authentication, we can arrange international DHL Express delivery to the nominated recipient or destination.

The final delivery address does not have to be in Taiwan or Hong Kong.

Documents can be returned to the applicant, a company, professional adviser or another nominated recipient in an agreed country.

Where the documents are being used for an overseas Unified ID Number application, they will ultimately need to reach the authorised representative handling the application in Taiwan.

What does our Taiwan authentication service include?

Ginkgo Advisory can coordinate the entire UK-side process.

Depending on the documents involved, our service can include:

• solicitor certification of the passport copy;
• solicitor witnessing and certification of signatures;
• preparation of documents for UK legalisation;
• express UK FCDO Apostille;
• preparation and review of TRO authentication application forms;
• preparation of TRO authorisation letters;
• solicitor witnessing of signatures on the authorisation documents;
• checking executed original documents;
• submission to the Taipei Representative Office in the UK;
• TRO document authentication; and
• DHL Express delivery to the nominated international destination.

This avoids the applicant having to coordinate separately with solicitors, the UK Legalisation Office, TRO London and an international courier.

How long does the process take?

Processing time depends on the documents and the authorities involved.

As a general guide:

• Solicitor verification and certification: approximately 1 working day
• Express UK FCDO Apostille: approximately 2 working days
• TRO London authentication: approximately 5–7 working days
• International DHL Express delivery: normally several working days depending on destination

Additional time may be needed if further documents or corrections are requested.

We therefore recommend starting the authentication process as early as possible.

Does the applicant need to travel to Taiwan?

Not necessarily.

The National Immigration Agency specifically provides an overseas application procedure for people who are outside Taiwan.

After the required documents have been authenticated, an appointed representative in Taiwan can handle the local submission.

This can be particularly useful for overseas directors, shareholders, investors, employees or other foreign nationals who need a Taiwan Unified ID Number but are currently based in the UK.

Do I need to send my original passport to Taiwan?

The National Immigration Agency’s overseas procedure refers to a verified copy of the applicant’s identification document being provided to the representative in Taiwan.

For a foreign national, the identification document is normally the passport.

The UK verification process still needs to be completed correctly before the authenticated passport copy can be used for the Taiwan application.

Can you prepare the TRO London forms?

Yes.

Our service includes preparation and review of the relevant TRO document authentication application forms and authorisation documents where required.

Names, passport details, document descriptions and signatures should remain consistent throughout the application.

Correct preparation can reduce the risk of delays caused by incomplete paperwork or execution issues.

Can you authenticate both the passport and authorisation?

Yes.

We can handle both documents as part of the same matter.

The passport copy can be appropriately certified and legalised. Separately, the Unified ID Number authorisation can be witnessed, certified and prepared for TRO authentication.

Each document is then progressed through the relevant UK authentication stages.

Who may need this service?

A Taiwan Unified ID Number may arise in several different contexts.

Common situations can include:

• foreign directors of Taiwanese companies;
• overseas shareholders or investors;
• individuals involved in Taiwan company registration;
• foreign professionals dealing with Taiwan authorities;
• applicants handling tax or banking matters;
• overseas individuals appointing a representative in Taiwan; and
• companies arranging Taiwan administrative requirements for foreign personnel.

The exact purpose should be confirmed before the documents are prepared.

Taiwan Unified ID Number authentication service in the UK

Ginkgo Advisory provides a Taiwan Unified ID Number UK authentication service for applicants who need their UK documents prepared for use through the overseas application procedure.

We can coordinate the process from solicitor certification through to FCDO Apostille and TRO London authentication.

International DHL Express delivery can also be arranged to the applicant, company, representative or other nominated recipient worldwide.

If you need a passport copy and authorisation authenticated for a Taiwan Unified ID Number application, send us the documents for review. We can confirm the required signing, certification, Apostille and TRO authentication steps before processing begins.