In order for us to take full instructions in relation to your transaction, we require identification for all parties.
For the majority of our client’s, we will require a completed electronic ID check (EIDV).
In today’s world, financial crime is increasingly sophisticated. Fraudsters are able to impersonate others to sell property that they do not own, commit money laundering, funding of terrorism and mortgage fraud. Solicitors who fail to properly identify a client could unintentionally assist in these serious crimes.
One of the securest ways to lower this risk is by using technology to complete an electronic identification verification. EIDV verifies an individual’s identity by matching entries such as names, dates of birth and address from public and private data sets, as well as asking the individual to complete a ‘liveness test’.
To complete the electronic ID check you will need a valid government issued ID document (such as passport or driving license) and two pieces of address ID. Acceptable ID documents can be found in the table below.
The provider we use to complete our electronic ID checks is called Legl. Your lawyer will send you a link to complete the check in your welcome email.
Once you open the link you will first need to input a few basic details about yourself and you will then be asked to provide a photograph of your ID document/s. The final step will be to record a short video of yourself, following some basic instructions, such as ‘turn to the left’, ‘say 1,2,3’. Follow the on screen instructions and once all steps are complete you will be able to select ‘submit’.
You will be notified by email that the process has been completed. Your lawyer will contact you if there are any issues.
For a step by step guide of how to complete the ID check on Legl you can watch the below video or read the guidance notes in the document below. If you have any issues we would advise you in the first instance to contact Legl using their online help centre.
Your lawyer will inform you at the outset what ID they require. Please check with your lawyer before visiting one of our offices with your ID, so they can ensure the appropriate ID check is completed.
If you are a legal entity (such as a company, trust, partnership or other entity), or if you live abroad, please ask for our further ID requirements.
| PHOTOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION | PROOF OF ADDRESS (we accept electronically downloaded documents) |
|---|---|
| Current signed passport | Utility bill (gas, electric, landline phone bill) issued within the last three months |
| EEA member state identity card | Local authority council tax bill for the current council tax year |
| Current UK or EEA photocard driving licence | Current UK driving licence (but only if not used for the name evidence) |
| Bank, Building Society or Credit Union statement or passbook dated within the last three months | |
| Original mortgage statement from a recognised lender issued for the last full year | |
| Solicitors letter within the last three months confirming recent house purchase or land registry confirmation of address | |
| HMRC self-assessment letters or tax demand dated within the current financial year | |
| Electoral Register entry |
Please never send original ID documents to us in the post, as we do not want to run the risk that they get lost in the post, but also this will not be an appropriate way to complete your ID check.
What ID do I need to provide if I am an existing client?
We are required to keep our records up to date and we will review any ID we hold for an existing client before determining whether further ID is required. If you have not had an ID check carried out by us for more than 12 months then you may be asked to complete a new check. You will also be asked to complete a new ID check where the documents previously supplied have expired e.g. your passport or driving license is out of date. Your lawyer will advise you as to what is required.
ID certification by a Solicitor
There may be times where you are asked to obtain certified ID from a Solicitor.
In order to take a certified copy, the document must be photocopied and on the photocopy, the person certifying must write as follows:
Photographic Identification: “I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original and a true likeness of [Client name]” followed by certifiers name, occupation and signature.
Proof of Address: “I hereby certify this to be a true copy of the original” OR “I hereby confirm this is an electronic copy” followed by certifiers name, occupation
and signature.
Our FAQ and articles are correct at the time of writing.
These have been created for marketing purposes only and should not be considered as legal advice.
