Can the Post Office Verify an ID1 Form?
No, it can’t. A Post Office counter cannot sign an ID1 form, and it cannot complete the ID5 that goes with a video check.
Many people only find this out after a trip to their local branch. So this guide explains what the Post Office can do and why it gets mixed up with the ID1. It also explains who can actually verify you. Our full set of guides covers the rest of the process.
The short answer
HM Land Registry only accepts an ID1 checked by a practising legal professional. That means a solicitor, a licensed conveyancer, a notary public or another professional on the list in the form.
However, Post Office staff are not on that list. Therefore a stamp or signature from a branch counter will not count, even if the staff member saw your passport.
As a result, if a form signed at a Post Office reaches HM Land Registry, expect it to come back. A form sent back with a question is called a requisition, and it can hold up your application for weeks.
Why people think the Post Office can help
The confusion is understandable. After all, the Post Office does offer some identity services, but none of them is an ID1 verification.
| Post Office service | What it does | Does it work for an ID1? |
|---|---|---|
| Document certification | Certifies a copy of a document as a true copy, at certain branches | No |
| EasyID app | Lets you prove your age or identity to some businesses from your phone | No |
| Identity checks for other organisations | Checks your documents in branch for services that use the Post Office | No |
The certified copy causes the most trouble. A certified copy only confirms that a photocopy matches the original. However, an ID1 needs a legal professional to confirm that you are the person named in the application.
In short, those are two different jobs. So even a perfectly certified passport copy will not replace a verified ID1.
Who can verify your ID1 instead
Section B of the form lists the professionals who may act. Any one of them can verify you, as long as they hold a current practising certificate.
- A solicitor.
- A licensed conveyancer.
- A notary public.
- A barrister.
- A CILEX Conveyancing Practitioner or Chartered Legal Executive.
- A licensed probate practitioner regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
Also, the verifier does not need to be your own solicitor. Instead, you can use any practising professional who is convenient. For example, our guide to who can verify an ID1 explains the full list and the people who are excluded.
Meanwhile, HM Land Registry no longer checks identity at its own offices. So the branch counter and the Land Registry counter are both dead ends.
Can you verify yourself online instead?
Not on your own. There is no self-service check on GOV.UK that completes an ID1 for you.
Admittedly, HM Land Registry does have a digital identity standard. But that route is run by a conveyancer, who completes section C of the form after a digital check. You cannot use it without a professional.
So the practical online option is a video call. A conveyancer verifies you on camera, then completes form ID5 instead of section B or C. Our ID5 guide explains how that works.
How video verification works with us
You fill in section A of the ID1 yourself. Then you join a short video call with Hamzah Nabeel Mahmood, an SRA-regulated solicitor.
During the call, he checks your identity documents and confirms who you are. After that, he completes and signs the ID5 video verification record, which goes with your ID1.
Each ID1 verification is a fixed £79 per person, which includes the ID5 video verification. Customers living overseas pay £99. Then you get your completed forms the same day, after a successful call.
And because it all happens by video, you can do it from home anywhere in England and Wales, or from abroad. Our ID1 form verification online page explains the service in full.
Skip the Post Office queue
Have your ID1 verified by video with an SRA-regulated solicitor. One appointment covers your ID1 and ID5 for £79 in the UK, or £99 from overseas.
What to have ready
Thankfully, the document rules are the same whether you are checked in person or by video. Most people need just one photo document.
- A current passport, or a current full photocard driving licence. A provisional licence is not accepted.
- If you have neither, two different documents from List B, such as a council tax bill and a postal utility bill.
- Your ID1 form with section A filled in.
- The property address, and the title number if you know it.
- A phone, tablet or laptop with a working camera.
However, watch out for online statements. List B statements must be sent by post, so a downloaded PDF will be refused. Our guide to the ID documents you need covers every rule.
Also, you need no photo booth prints for a video check. Instead, the solicitor takes a screenshot during the call.
Two timing rules to know
First, your verified ID1 must reach HM Land Registry within three months of being signed. So book your check close to when you will send your application. Our guide on how long an ID1 is valid explains the deadline.
Second, ID forms cannot be signed electronically. So any form with an electronic signature will be refused.
Finally, you may not need an ID1 at all. The form is not required where the land involved is worth £6,000 or less.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get an ID1 form verified at the Post Office?
No. Post Office staff are not on HM Land Registry’s list of approved verifiers. You need a practising professional, such as a solicitor or licensed conveyancer.
Can the Post Office certify a copy of my passport for Land Registry?
Some branches certify copies, but a certified copy is not an ID1 verification. A legal professional still has to confirm your identity on the form.
Can I use the Post Office EasyID app for an ID1?
No. EasyID helps you prove your age or identity to some businesses. It cannot complete an ID1 or the ID5 that goes with a video check.
Can I verify my identity for Land Registry online by myself?
No. A digital check must be run by a conveyancer, who completes section C. Alternatively, a conveyancer can verify you by video and complete form ID5.
Can HM Land Registry check my ID at one of its offices?
No. HM Land Registry no longer verifies identity at its offices. You need a practising professional instead, in person or by video.
Who can verify my ID1 instead of the Post Office?
A solicitor, licensed conveyancer, notary public, barrister, CILEX Conveyancing Practitioner, Chartered Legal Executive or CLC-regulated licensed probate practitioner. They must hold a current practising certificate.
How much does ID1 verification by video cost?
Each ID1 verification is a fixed £79 per person, which includes the ID5 video verification. Customers living overseas pay £99.
Do I need passport photos for a video check?
No. The solicitor takes a screenshot during the video call instead. That image goes to HM Land Registry with your ID5.
What if I have no passport or driving licence?
You can use two different documents from List B, such as a council tax bill and a postal utility bill. Statements downloaded from the internet are not accepted.