Updated I.D. Requirements

I.D. requirements are becoming increasingly onerous for lawyers – sadly this is outside of our control and it is essential we comply with current regulations.

Having established that the Post Office does not require personal attendance of clients with ID documents, TLG has had to change its procedures to ensure best practice. As such, this an opportune moment for TLG to re-iterate its standard requirements.

We need to have evidence of BOTH name and address.

Personal identity documents that can be used to certify names are primarily a current, signed passport or a current UK or EEA photo card driving licence. We also accept a benefit book or original notification letter; a firearms or shotgun certificate or a national identity card.

For address purposes a recent utility bill/statement (no more than 3 months old a mobile phone bill is not acceptable) a council tax bill; current full UK photo driving licence – not old style; bank/building society/credit union statement or pass book showing current address; a recent original mortgage statement from a recognised Lender.

Please note that separate utility bills/bank statements are needed for each half of a couple if the ones provided are in joint names.

We need to physically see the clients to confirm that the photo identification is a true likeness. The exception to this is certification via a Financial Advisor or any firm of Solicitors. The confirmation signature needs to contain the words “certified as a true likeness of….”

If clients are struggling to get to our office or cannot visit a solicitor who is local to them or if they do not have a Financial Advisor then we can visit them to take the I.D. but this is a LAST RESORT rather than an additional service, and they must have photocopies of the requested documents as well as the originals to hand.

All solicitors will need this to be done and most clients should be able to comply with the criteria without too many problems.