This guide explains when evidence of identity is required and how it should be given. It is aimed at conveyancers and you should interpret references to you accordingly.
Published 10 November 2008 Last updated 4 September 2023 +show all updates
Following a review of our practice regarding the exceptions referred to in sections 4.1.B and 4.1.C, a personal representative who assents or transfers the land has been removed from the exception status. This has immediate effect as a safeguard against fraud. Previously this practice guide did advise you to note that although we do not routinely require evidence of identity for a personal representative, we may ask for this, in addition to evidence of their appointment, in some instances. We will let you know if this required. Section 4.1.B has been updated accordingly.
Section 8 has been amended to clarify you should always use the current versions of our ID forms.
Section 8.1 has been amended to clarify our requirements regarding the photograph to be attached to the identity form.
The guide has been amended because of the merging of practice guide 67a (temporary changes to HM Land Registrys evidence of identity requirements) into this guide.
The example panel 6 of Form AP1 in section 11.2 has been amended to reflect changes made by the Land Registration (Amendment) Rules 2022 which came into force on 1 August 2022.
Sections 3.2 and 4.1 have been amended to make clear where a transaction is caught by the identity requirements, panel 13(1) of form AP1 must be completed in all cases, even when a party is exempt from confirmation of identity in section 4.1.
Section 3.1 has been amended to remove reference to Chartered Legal Executive Conveyancing Practitioners as this title is not in use.
Section 3.4 has been amended to provide additional explanation about rule 17 of the Land Registration Rules 2003 and to confirm that we may ask you to provide additional evidence in some instances. Section 4.1 has been amended to explain that although we do not normally require evidence of identity for a personal representative, we might ask for this in any particular instance.
Section 6.1 has been amended to confirm that where there is a chain of attorneys, identity evidence is needed for them all.
Following correspondence received, section 4.1.C has been amended to require medical evidence of incapacity whichever option has been selected in panel 5 of the lasting power of attorney form.
The amendments we made to the guide on 4 May 2020 as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak have been further amended as a result of customer feedback. Some changes have also been made to the evidence of identity forms referred to in the guide, in particular to forms ID1, ID2 and ID5, in relation to verification by way of a video call.
