The types of Photo ID documents you accept will depend on your agency's AML policy. For this reason, we always recommend checking with your Money Laundering Officer (MLO) or referring to your own AML policy before requesting or accepting identity documents.
Where a client has been onboarded using Digital Onboarding or an Online Biometric ID Verification invite, they will be prompted to upload one of the accepted identity documents listed here
If you are onboarding a client in-platform and uploading their identity document manually, some commonly accepted examples include:
- Valid passport.
- UK full or provisional driving licence.
- National identity card.
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or Biometric Residence Card.
- Firearms or shotgun certificate.
The document should:
- Be valid and in date.
- Clearly show the client's full legal name.
- Include a recognisable photograph of the client.
- Be clear, legible, and show the entire document, with no sections cropped or obscured.
Where the original document is presented to you in person, we recommend taking a copy and certifying it. To certify a document:
- Write "Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me" on the copy.
- Sign and date the document.
- Print your name beneath your signature.
If you are not seeing the client or their ID in person, we recommend using Digital Onboarding or sending an Online Biometric ID Verification invite, as these provide a higher level of assurance.
If the client is unable to complete the checks digitally, you should ask them to have their identity document certified by an independent third party, such as a solicitor, accountant, or by using the Post Office's Document Certification Service, where available.
You can view guidance from the UK Government on examining ID documents here