Power of Attorney: Do You Need an ID1 Form?

Acting under a Power of Attorney adds an extra layer to a property transaction, because you are not just proving who you are — you are also proving you have the legal authority to act for someone else. So HM Land Registry looks closely at both.

What kind of power of attorney do you have?

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for property and financial affairs must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used. An older Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA), made before October 2007, can still be valid and is sometimes usable before registration. Because the rules differ depending on which one you hold, it’s worth confirming your power of attorney is correctly registered before booking your appointment.

Do you need an ID1 form as an attorney?

If a solicitor is handling the whole transaction, they verify identity as part of their service, so you will not need a separate ID1. But if you are managing it yourselves, both you as the attorney and the property owner as the donor will usually each need to complete an ID1 — HM Land Registry treats each person named on the application separately, so it is not only the person acting under the power who has to be verified.

Each ID1 verification is a fixed £79 per person, which includes the ID5 video verification — so if both you and the donor need to be verified, that means two separate appointments. See our pricing page for the full breakdown, or read more about our ID1 verification service.

Gifting or selling below market value?

If you are using the power of attorney to gift the property, or to sell it for less than it is worth, HM Land Registry looks more closely at the transaction. Because attorneys can only make gifts in specific circumstances under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, you may need to show evidence that the transaction is properly authorised. So it is worth speaking to a solicitor about this part specifically, even if you are managing the identity verification yourself.

What you’ll need for your appointment

• Valid photo ID for each person completing an ID1 — passport, UK driving licence, or biometric residence permit
• Proof of address dated within the last 3 months
• Details of the registered power of attorney, if you have it to hand

As with any ID1, your completed forms must be signed and dated no more than three months before you lodge your application. Because verification is by video call, your solicitor completes form ID5 rather than Section B or Section C of the ID1. So it’s worth booking your appointment once you know your submission date.

Common questions

How much does it cost if both I and the donor need to be verified?

Each verification is £79, so if both you as the attorney and the donor need an ID1, that’s two separate £79 appointments — each including the ID5 video verification.

Does the donor need to attend a video call too?

Yes, if they also need to complete an ID1. Because HM Land Registry verifies each person separately, the donor will need their own appointment, even if they are not otherwise involved in managing the sale.

Is an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) still valid, or do I need a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?

An EPA made before October 2007 can still be valid and is sometimes usable before registration. So it depends on which one you hold and whether it has been registered — worth confirming this before you book your appointment.

Do I need my power of attorney documents at the appointment?

It helps to have the registered details to hand, though your solicitor will confirm exactly what’s needed for your specific case ahead of the call.

Which part of the ID1 does my solicitor fill in?

None of it, when verification is by video call. Section B is for an in-person check and Section C is for digital verification, so both stay blank. Instead your solicitor completes a separate form ID5, which is lodged alongside your ID1.

How your video verification works

1. Book a time. Book online now and pay securely, or message us on WhatsApp first if you have a question — same-day, evening and weekend appointments are often available.
2. Verify by video call. Then a solicitor checks your ID on a short, secure call. This is the ID5 process.
3. Get your forms. So your signed, stamped ID1 and ID5 are sent to you the same day.
4. Send to Land Registry. Then submit your ID1 forms alongside your power of attorney documents and the relevant transfer form.