7. What types of personal identity documents are acceptable?
Following the implementation of the Money Laundering Regulations 2003 and in accordance with the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, we are now obliged to keep sufficient evidence on our files of the identity and the address of all our clients before we undertake any work.
From private individual clients, we therefore require one of the following original identification documents at the time of the appointment for each person whose signature we are certifying and for the person who is acting as our client:
- passport
- driving licence (with photocard)
- national identity card
- Lloyd's Pass
- an armed forces pass (with photo and signature)
- firearms licence (with photo and signature)
- other government issue ID (with photo and signature).
In addition, we require proof of residence, which can be one of the following original documents:
- Bank statement or letter (not credit card statement or bill)
- Utility bill (not mobile phone bill, but can include council tax bill or statement if party is addressee and property being taxed is at the same address)
- Letter of confirmation from a lawyer, accountant, banker or doctor.
When we are acting for a corporate client, we need evidence of the due incorporation of the company or entity. This can be one of the following documents:
- Extract from the company register
- Goodstanding certificate
- Certificate of incorporation
- Latest report and audited accounts
- Up to date certified copy of partnership agreement
- Letter of identification from professional firm, bank or from a member of the prospective client who is already known to Saville & Co.
- Evidence of being regulated by a regulatory body such as the Law Society or FSA.
Please note that in addition to the above, each individual signatory will need to produce one of the identification documents mentioned above.
In all cases, we will need to take copies of the documents for our files.
Please note that if these documents have already been produced to Saville & Co., it will not be necessary to produce them again unless they have expired. This is the case even if you are seeing a different notary from Saville & Co.
