Why do you need to prove your identity?
Since 1994, when the Money Laundering Regulations became Law, all banks, building societies, Solicitors and other businesses providing financial services have had to put procedures in place to stop criminals from using them to launder their “dirty” money.
This includes the need to obtain proof of identity and address from anyone who wishes to instruct a Solicitor.

What is Money Laundering?
Money Laundering means the methods criminals use to hide and disguise the money they make from their crimes.
The term “laundering” is used because criminals need to turn their “dirty” criminal money into clean funds that they can use without arousing suspicion.
Getting it into the financial system means that it becomes harder to trace and confiscate.
Drug traffickers, armed robbers, terrorists, burglars and those who defraud members of the public all need to launder the proceeds of their crime.

What proof of identity will you need?
The best documents are those that are issued by an Official Authority, cannot be easily forged and include a photograph. The same document cannot be used to prove both identity and address.
We need to check that you are who you say you are and you live where you say you live.
Typical items asked for may be a current passport, a current full driving licence, a pension book or benefit book, a council tax bill or a utility bill.

What if I cannot provide the documents suggested?
There are procedures in place to help customers who cannot provide the preferred documents.
Do not be put off by the mention of passports and driving licences.
These tend to be the documents that are preferred because they are official documents and most people can provide them but they are not the only way of enabling us to satisfy itself of your identity.
Many people have reasonable grounds for not being able to produce the recommended documents.
For example, they may have never been abroad so do not have a passport; have never learnt to drive or their spouse, family member or friend pays the household bills.
Please feel free to discuss with us what sort of documents you can produce.
Please remember though, the Law requires that you must provide satisfactory proof of your identity and address. Please help us to prevent crime and the laundering of the proceeds of crime by being patient when we ask you to provide documents to prove your identity and address.