Why do we ask you to provide evidence of your identity and address and which documents are acceptable when selling and buying a property? Under the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 and the new version MLR 2017, solicitors are required to verify the identity and address of new and existing clients.
Residential Conveyancing
For UK residents, evidence of identity will normally be one of the following original documents - copies are not normally acceptable:
- current signed passport
- current UK or EEA photo-card driving licence
- current (full or provisional) UK photo driving licence – old style non-photo provisional licences are not acceptable
- benefit book or original notification letter from the Benefits Agency confirming the right to benefits
- an entry in a local or national telephone directory confirming your name and address
- building industry sub-contractor's certificate or CISA photo registration card
- firearms certificate (from Chief Constable)
- Freedom pass
- P60 or P45 or Inland Revenue coding notice
- police or other government department ID card
- residency permit or Home Office alien registration card
- UK armed services ID card
In addition, the most common evidence of address is one of the following - so long as it was not also used to confirm your identity:
- Bank/Building Society/National Savings statement/passbook
- Benefits book/Benefits Agency letter
- Child Support Agency letter
- Council Tax bill
- Current UK Driving Licence
- EEA Member State identity card
- Electoral Register
- Entry in local /national telephone directory House/Motor insurance certificate
- Inland Revenue Self-Assessment Statement/Tax Demand
- Land Registry confirmation of address
- Local Authority Rent Card/Tenancy Agreement
- Mortgage statement
- Recent utility bill
- Record of home visit
- Solicitor has known client for over 2 years & confirms address (signed note as above)
- Solicitor's letter confirming recent house purchase
If you are unable to supply the above then please speak to your solicitor who may be able to suggest alternative acceptable evidence.
Estates
When acting for more than one administrator or executor we will normally need to establish the identity of at least two individuals.
Trusts
Again if there is more than one trustee then we will normally need to establish the identity of at least two trustees. Under some circumstances it may also be necessary to establish the identity of the settlor(s) and beneficiaries.
Corporate Clients
For UK private limited companies evidence of identity will be required in relation to the company itself as well as the directors or shareholders.
Evidence of the identity of the company will usually comprise:
- a recent utility bill (not more than six months old) or statement, or a certificate from a utility supplier to pay for services on pre-payment terms mobile telephone bills are not acceptable
- current full UK driving licence – old style provisional licences are not acceptable
- bank, building society or credit union statement or passbook containing your current address
- benefit book or original notification letter from the Benefits Agency confirming the right to benefits
- house or motor insurance certificate
- Council Tax bill
- local authority rent card or tenancy agreement
In addition, evidence of the identity of the directors and shareholders will be as for UK residents as detailed above.
There are separate requirements for publicly quoted companies and other corporate clients. Please ask your solicitor for further details.
In all cases we will need to take photocopies of all documents submitted as evidence of identity or address.
- the certificate of incorporation
- a list of directors
- a list of shareholders
- the registered address
