Why HM Land Registry Rejected or Requisitioned Your ID1 Form

You sent your application in weeks ago. Then a letter arrived, and now your ID1 form is the problem. Happily, most of the causes are small and fixable.

This guide explains what went wrong, what happens next, and how to put it right. Not applied yet? Our full set of guides covers each situation in turn.

Rejection and requisition are not the same thing

People mix these two words up, yet the difference matters a great deal. A requisition is a formal request for missing information. So your application stays in the queue while you sort it out.

A rejection is worse. HM Land Registry sends everything back, and the application loses its priority. So you have to fix the problem and lodge the whole thing again.

Here is the current rule for identity. HM Land Registry is not rejecting applications where identity evidence is missing altogether. Instead it raises a requisition, and it can cancel the application later if nothing arrives.

One exception matters, though. Leaving the identity panel on your AP1 or FR1 blank gets the application rejected outright.

Reason one: the form was more than three months old

This is the single most common cause. Your ID1 must be dated and signed no more than three months before HM Land Registry receives your application. Section A and the verifier’s section both count.

Many people get verified early, then wait for a sale to complete. Meanwhile the clock runs down, and the form expires before it is ever lodged. The whole verification then has to be done again from scratch.

So book your appointment close to lodgement, not months ahead. Our guide to buying or selling without a solicitor explains where this fits in a typical timeline.

Reason two: something was wrong with the photograph

The photograph rules are strict, and examiners check them closely. Your photo must be passport size, in colour, and printed on photographic paper. Your face must be clearly visible.

Then the verifier signs and dates the back of it. That signature is easy to forget, yet it is a firm requirement.

Sending a copy rather than the original? Also remember that the copy must show both sides of the photograph.

Home printer prints and phone screenshots are frequently refused. So use a proper photo booth or a photo shop print.

Reason three: the verifier left part of the form blank

Section B is the verifier’s section, and every field in it matters. Examiners look for the registration number, the firm details, and the exact ID documents they checked.

A blank box here will hold your application up. So will a missing date or an unsigned declaration.

Because the verifier completes this part, you cannot easily check it yourself. Therefore an experienced verifier is worth having.

Reason four: the wrong person verified you

Not everyone can verify an ID1. The rules call the verifier a conveyancer. In practice that means a practising solicitor, a licensed conveyancer, or a Chartered Legal Executive.

A retired solicitor cannot do it. Neither can a paralegal, an accountant, a doctor, nor a family friend in a professional job. If the verifier states on the form that they are retired or not practising, expect the form to come back.

Overseas, a notary or a qualified foreign lawyer may verify instead. Our guide on verifying from overseas sets out how that works.

Reason five: the names did not match

Your name must look the same on the register, the deed, and the ID1. Small differences cause big delays. A middle initial on one document and a full middle name on another can trigger a query.

Married names catch people out most often. If the register still shows your maiden name, send a certified copy of your marriage certificate or deed poll with the application. Otherwise HM Land Registry has to ask for it.

Reason six: somebody was missed

Every unrepresented party needs their own ID1. Two joint owners means two forms, not one shared between them.

Also, the person lodging the application is checked as well. So a son or daughter posting the forms for an elderly parent may need an ID1 too.

Attorneys are another trap. An attorney and the person they act for must be entered separately, never together.

Reason seven: you used an old version of the form

HM Land Registry updates its forms. The current ID1 came out in February 2026.

Older versions still circulate on third party websites. Meanwhile practice guide 67 confirms that an outdated version can lead to a requisition.

So always download the form fresh on the day. Our forms download page links straight to the current official versions.

How long you have to reply

The statutory period is 20 working days. HM Land Registry normally allows 60 working days for most applications.

A warning of cancellation is usually sent at around day 40. Then, if nothing arrives by the deadline, the application can be cancelled altogether.

You can ask for more time. Explain the delay in writing, show that you are actively chasing it, and give a realistic date. Extensions are normally 20 working days.

How to fix an ID1 problem quickly

First, read the letter carefully and identify exactly which point is being raised. The wording tells you whether a fresh form is needed or just a missing detail.

Has the form expired, or was the verification faulty? Book a new appointment straight away. A video appointment can often happen the same week, which is usually the fastest route.

Finally, send the replacement in the way the letter asks. A new ID1 and ID5 arrive with you the same day after your call, so you can reply well inside the deadline.

Getting it right second time

A requisition is annoying, but it is rarely fatal. Most identity points are cleared with one corrected form. Then the application completes as normal.

The deadline is real, so the safest approach is to act in the first week rather than the last. Our ID5 video verification service exists for exactly this situation. The pricing page sets out the fixed cost before you book.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a rejection and a requisition?

A requisition is a request for missing information, and your application keeps its place in the queue. A rejection returns everything to you and loses your priority, so you must lodge the application again.

My ID1 expired before the application was lodged. What now?

You need a completely new ID1. The three month window cannot be extended, so the verification must be carried out again and dated afresh.

How long do I have to reply to a requisition?

HM Land Registry normally allows 60 working days, although the statutory period is 20. A warning of cancellation is usually sent at around day 40.

Can I ask for more time to reply?

Yes. Explain the reason in writing, show that you are actively pursuing the matter, and give a realistic date. Extensions are normally granted for a further 20 working days.

Will I have to pay the Land Registry fee again?

Not if you reply in time to a requisition, because the original application is still live. A rejected or cancelled application has to be lodged again with a fresh fee.

Why was my photograph refused?

It must be passport size, in colour, and printed on photographic paper, with your face clearly visible. The verifier also has to sign and date the back of it.

Do both joint owners need their own ID1?

Yes. Every unrepresented party to the transaction needs a separate form, and the person lodging the application may need one as well.

Can a paralegal or retired solicitor verify my ID1?

No. The verifier must be a practising solicitor, licensed conveyancer, or Chartered Legal Executive. A retired or non-practising verifier will cause the form to be sent back.

How fast can I get a replacement ID1?

Often within a few days. A video appointment takes about twenty minutes, and your signed ID1 and ID5 forms are sent to you the same day.