All Clients
Ideally in advance of our meeting and certainly at our meeting we will ask you to produce by way of formal identification the original of (in preferred order):
- Your current passport (or, if not available);
- A current new driving licence (with photo) or national identity card
If neither of the above are available, at least two of the following
- A current government or police issue certificate bearing a photo or other formal means of identification;
- A utility bill, credit card or bank statement showing your current address which should not be more than 3 months old or council tax bill;
You must also bring any other means of ID which may be referred to in the papers sent to you as being required such as a foreign Identity Card. We may also ask to see further evidence of identity such as marriage certificates etc. and will advise you of this if necessary.
Proof of names
In a case where the name on the document is different from the name you are currently using, or there has been a variation in the form of spelling of the name over the years, please provide us, as appropriate, with Certificates of Birth, Marriage or Divorce Decree or Change of Name Deed showing all the different names that you use. If there has been a change of name, then we will need to see a copy of the Deed Poll or Statutory Declaration which dealt with it.
Corporate clients
If a document is to be signed by you on behalf of a company, a partnership, a charity, club or other incorporated body, there are further requirements on which we may have to insist. Please be prepared for these and contact us if you have any questions in advance of our appointment.
Typically we will need to see:
- Evidence of identity of the authorised signatory.
- A Letter of Authority, Minute, Resolution or Power of Attorney, authorising you to sign the document.
Additionally, companies: We are likely to need to carry out company searches which will or may have an effect on the level of fees charged.
Additionally, partnerships, clubs, etc: We are likely to need to see documents such as a Partnership Agreement; or relevant Trust Deed; or Charter; or Constitution/Rules.
Retention of ID documents
We retain electronic copies of ID documents on our files for 12 years.