What is Verification of Identity

The Verification of Identity Practice aims to minimise the risk of land related fraud including identity theft and other improper dealings.
The most effective way to minimise the risk of land related fraud is for verification of identity to occur when a person decides to sell their property or purchase a property and before financial settlement. The Practice recommends that conveyancers and other property professionals take reasonable steps to verify the identity of their clients and confirm their clients’ authority to give instructions when dealing with a particular property. In verifying the identity of a client, the Practice has two fundamental requirements:
• Firstly, a person transacting on a property should be able to produce current, original identity documents,2 preferably with photographs.

• Secondly, a visual verification or ‘face to face’ is required, which is the Practice of checking that the photograph on the identity document is the person being identified.

Under the Practice, if a person is outside of Australia, the verification of identity and the witnessing of land documents should be conducted by an Australian Consular Officer.