Completing your identity check
Your accountant or adviser has asked you to verify your identity. It takes a few minutes and there is nothing to download. This short guide helps you get it right the first time. If you would like every step in detail, follow the full step-by-step guide.
What you need
- Your original, physical ID document. A passport, a driver licence or a national ID card is fine, and international documents are accepted.
- A phone or computer with a camera, good even light, and a quiet couple of minutes. A phone is easiest.
The one thing that matters most
Photograph the real document. Do not photograph a photocopy, a scan, or your ID shown on a computer or phone screen. The check is designed to spot when an image is a picture of a picture, and it will not pass. Using the original document is the single best way to get a clean result first time.
How to do it
- Open the link and confirm you are ready to start. On a computer you can scan the on-screen code to continue on your phone, which is the easiest way.
- Allow camera access when your device asks.
- Photograph your ID. Lay the original document flat, fill the frame, and avoid glare and shadows. Capture the back as well if you are asked to.
- Take a selfie when prompted. Make sure your face is clearly visible and well lit. Glasses are fine, but remove anything covering your face.
- That is it. A result is usually ready within seconds, and your adviser receives it.
Common reasons a check does not pass
- A photo of the ID on a screen, a photocopy or a scan, rather than the original.
- Glare, blur, or a finger over part of the document.
- The edges of the document cut off.
- An expired document.
If you are asked to try again, it is usually one of the above, and a fresh, well-lit photo of the original fixes it.
Your information is protected
Your documents and details are handled securely and used only to confirm your identity. Your adviser receives the result of the check, not your full personal data, and the captured images are automatically deleted after 45 days. In some cases you may be asked to consent to additional screening, which is disclosed during the process. You do not need to create an account or a password.
For firms
Send this guide, or the full version on our website, to your client when you request a check. Adding one line to your initial and reminder emails prevents most repeat checks: "Please use your original passport or licence, not a photo, scan or a picture on a screen."