Many clients are surprised when they are asked to provide identification documents at the start of a property transaction. However, identity verification is a legal requirement for conveyancers and forms an important part of protecting clients, property transactions and the wider financial system.
Solicitors and conveyancers are subject to strict anti-money laundering and fraud prevention regulations. Before acting on behalf of a client, we must be satisfied that we know who our client is and that they are entitled to enter into the transaction.
Identity verification helps to:
Prevent property fraud
Protect clients from identity theft
Combat money laundering
Reduce the risk of criminal activity within the property market
Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory obligations
Property transactions involve large sums of money and are therefore attractive targets for criminals. Verifying identity is one of the most effective ways of reducing these risks.
Property fraud can occur when an individual attempts to impersonate a property owner, buyer or seller in order to gain access to funds or property.
Examples include:
Impersonating the owner of a property
Using stolen identity documents
Attempting to sell property without authority
Using false identities to purchase property
Identity verification helps conveyancers identify and prevent these risks before a transaction progresses.
Identity verification is usually undertaken at the very beginning of the transaction, often before substantive legal work begins.
Completing these checks promptly helps avoid delays later in the process and enables your conveyancer to proceed with confidence.
The exact requirements may vary depending on individual circumstances, but clients will commonly be asked to provide:
One of the following:
Current passport
UK photocard driving licence
National identity card (where applicable)
Examples include:
Utility bill
Council tax statement
Bank statement
Mortgage statement
Documents should usually be recent and show your current residential address.
Yes. Many law firms now use secure electronic verification systems that can verify identity remotely.
Electronic verification can often provide a quicker and more convenient way of confirming identity while maintaining a high level of security.
In some cases, additional documentation may still be required.
Conveyancers are unable to proceed with a transaction until satisfactory identification checks have been completed.
This is not a matter of firm policy or preference; it is a legal and regulatory requirement.
Delays in providing identification documents can therefore result in delays to the overall transaction.
To help your transaction proceed smoothly, it is advisable to provide identification documents as soon as they are requested and ensure that:
Documents are clear and legible
Names match the transaction documentation
Addresses are current and up to date
Any additional information requested is provided promptly
Identity verification is an essential part of the conveyancing process and helps protect all parties involved in a transaction.
If you have any questions about the identification requirements or the documents requested, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We will be happy to explain what is required and guide you through the process.