PROVING YOUR IDENTITY
How to prove your name and address when instructing us to undertake work on your behalf
WHY DO YOU ASK ME TO PROVE MY IDENTITY AND ADDRESS?
The Government requires all Solicitors to guard against possible money laundering. Money laundering is the process by which the proceeds of crime become “clean”. Criminals often try to hide their identities, so identity checks are an important way of fighting money laundering, terrorism and other criminal activities.
Asking for you to prove your identity does not mean that we suspect you of being a criminal, but it enables us to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations and the requirements of third parties who may be involved in your matter such as the Land Registry and Council of Mortgage Lenders. It is also good practice for us as Firm to establish who our clients are even when money is not directly involved in the matter.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PROVIDE?
IDENTIFICATION FOR INDIVIDUALS
Proof of Identity – we will need to see the original of ONE of the following:
Government issued documents with a photograph
- Current UK Signed Passport
- Current photocard driver’s licence
- Firearms or Shotgun Certificate
If you do not have a Government issued document with a photograph, we may be able to accept ONE of the following:
- Valid Full Driving Licence (old style)
- Recent evidence of entitlement to a state or local authority funded benefit scheme – e.g. Benefit book or original notification letter from the DWP confirming the right to benefits
- Most recent HM Revenue & Customs tax notification such as tax assessment, tax demand or self-assessment statement.
Proof of Address – we will need to see the original of ONE of the following:
- Recent (not more than 3 months old) utility bill
- Recent (current year) Council tax bill
- Recent (not more than 3 months old) bank or building society statement showing current address
- Recent (current year) mortgage statement from a recognised lender.
If you do not have any of the above, please contact us and we will discuss with you alternative forms of identity.
WHERE WE MEET YOU “FACE-TO-FACE”
You will need to bring the ORIGINALS of the ID documents to one of our offices where they will be checked and copied for our records. Please remember that each individual must bring their own ID documents to the office as we will not usually be able to accept someone else bringing them on your behalf.
WHERE WE DO NOT MEET YOU “FACE-TO-FACE”
We may need to ask you for additional ID and address documents. We can sometimes accept copies of the required ID documents but only if they have been checked and certified by another suitably qualified person such as a Solicitor, Financial Advisor, Bank Manager, Accountant or local GP. The person certifying the copy ID documents must mark the copy with confirmation that they have seen the original and must sign, date and print their name, profession, contact address and telephone number on the documents as they must be capable of being contacted if necessary.
ELECTRONIC SEARCHES
In some cases, we may also undertake an electronic check to verify identity. This operates by searching various publically available databases. The Search does not affect your records and status but may leave a “soft” footprint showing that the search has been made.
IDENTIFICATION FOR NON-PERSONAL CLIENTS
Unincorporated businesses or partnerships
We will need identity and address evidence for the individual partner/s or owner/s of the business as described above. In addition, we require a document confirming the business address and written confirmation on business letterhead from all partners/owners that we are instructed to act for the business and on what basis.
Private Limited Companies
As well as identity and address evidence for at least two directors we will check with Companies House for the full name and company number and undertake an electronic search to ascertain the names of all directors. We will require written evidence on business letterhead that we have the authority of all Directors to act on behalf of the Company.
Clubs and Associations
We will need identity and address evidence for all signatories on behalf of the Club or association as well as a copy of the constitution of the club or association and a written instruction on the club or association’s letterhead, signed by all officials to show that we have authority to act on behalf of the Club or association
