Which identification methods can a notary public use?

I primarily do this by using your passport. You will always need to bring your passport with you, so that I can check it for damage, your name and likeness to your photograph. A picture of it on your phone is not enough.

If you don’t have one, there are other documents that you can bring and they include a UK driving licence or an identity card from your country of residence. BRP cards were previously acceptable, but as this is now all online, you would need to bring your share code. I always use the third option as I don’t need to check your right to work or right to reside in the UK. A copy of this can be included in your documents if you wish.

Not everyone has photographic identification, and this is much rarer now. If that is the case, you need to bring lots of original supporting documents. I will need to see your mortgage statement or rental agreement, a variety of bills and or statements in the last three months and they will normally need to be originals that have been posted to you. In an ever increasing digital age, I appreciate that is harder to do, but I need to be able to satisfy myself and the recipient that you are who you purport to be.

There are also digital methods of identity verification, and the NFC chip in your passport can be read if identification is done at a distance. I think that the use of this is important in some cases and more government departments are requiring this. The Land Registry have included this option in their standard ID1 form, and Companies House are phasing in the requirements for all directors, PSCs and beneficial owners to verify their identity. If you have a British passport, you can use the GOV.UK One Login for free. You need your passport with you and then answer questions. If you don’t have the right information or an NFC chip in your passport, you may need to use Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) - also known as a Companies House authorised agent. They will utilise the digital verification in most cases, but they can also complete manual checks. At the time of writing, this is not currently a service that I offer.

In summary, I need to verify your identity to:

1. Check that the right person is signing or has produced the right document
2. The recipient knows that an impartial professional has carried out checks
3. Your passport bears a likeness to you
4. Prevent fraud

What you need to bring to identify yourself:

1. Your current passport (or, if not available)
2. A current new driving licence (with photo) or national identity card
3. If neither of the above are available, at least two of the following:
   3.1 A current government or police issue certificate bearing a photo or other formal means of identification
   3.2 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
4. You must also bring any other means of identity which may be referred to in the papers sent to you as being required, such as a foreign Identity Card
5. You may need to evidence a name change such as a marriage certificates, decree absolute or change of name deed
6. In some instances, like an Indian power of attorney or an ID1, you will need a passport size photograph too

If you have any questions about what you need to bring to your appointment, please don’t hesitate to ask.