By David Williams, Director & Head of Property

In all cases solicitors need to obtain confirmation of the identity of their clients. This is especially the case in property transactions and Land Registry have always been strict on who can verify an individual’s ID.

Previously, anyone verifying identification documents had to be a solicitor, licenced conveyancer or chartered legal executive.

Land Registry have accepted that social distancing and the fact many offices are now closed, verification of ID has become increasingly problematic. Therefore, they have now relaxed the rules by widening the field of people who can carry out the verification.

It now includes people who work, or have worked, in certain professions including conveyancers, chartered legal executives, solicitors and barristers who have now retired; bank officials and regulated financial advisers; medical doctors, dentists and veterinary surgeons; chartered and certified accountants; together with police officers and officers in the UK armed forces.

They have also included teachers and college and university teaching staff, Westminster MPs and Welsh Assembly members; UK civil servants of senior executive officer grade or above; and magistrates.

Hopefully, this will make the job of producing verified identification documents far easier. The Land Registry have also confirmed this verification can take place via a video call.

For a property quote please email David at david@onionsanddavies.co.uk or call on 01630 411222.