ID1 Form: What It Is and When You Need One

An ID1 form is HM Land Registry’s identity certificate for a private individual. You need one when you send an application to HM Land Registry and no conveyancer is acting for you. So this guide explains what the ID1 form is for, when you need it, who can sign it and how to get it verified.

Already know you need one? Then our ID1 form verification online service can get it done on a short video call.

What is an ID1 form?

Form ID1 is called Verify identity: citizen (ID1), and it is published by HM Land Registry on GOV.UK. It applies in England and Wales.

Property fraud is a real risk. So HM Land Registry needs proof that the person named on an application is really who they say they are. Normally, a solicitor or conveyancer checks this as part of their work. However, when nobody is acting for you, the ID1 fills that gap.

When do you need an ID1 form?

According to HM Land Registry, you usually need an ID1 if no conveyancer is acting for you and you are a party to one of these applications:

• a transfer, whether or not money changes hands — for example, a transfer of equity or gifting a property
• a deed that appoints or retires trustees
• a lease or a mortgage (charge) that is being registered
• discharging a mortgage on form DS1, or releasing a charge on form DS3
• the surrender of a lease
• a first registration, including when the title deeds have been lost

Also, executors and attorneys often need one. See our guides to probate and executors and power of attorney.

When you do not need an ID1

You do not need an ID1 if a solicitor or licensed conveyancer is acting for you, because they check your identity as part of their service. Similarly, you do not need one where the land involved is worth no more than £6,000.

Acting for a company instead? Then you need the ID2 form, not the ID1.

Who can sign an ID1 form?

You fill in Section A with your own details. However, the identity check must be done by a qualified professional. A practising solicitor is the most common choice, and the full list is set out in Practice Guide 67.

A friend, a family member or a GP cannot sign it, unless they are one of those professionals.

For the full list, read our guide on who can sign or verify an ID1 form. It also explains why doctors, police officers and Post Office staff cannot do it.

How the ID1 and ID5 work together

When a solicitor checks your identity by video call, they also complete Form ID5. Then they email you the signed ID5 and a photo taken during the call. Finally, you send your ID1, the ID5 and the photo with your application. Our guide to ID5 video verification explains this in more detail.

What you need for the check

• Photo ID, such as a passport or photocard driving licence
• Proof of address dated within the last 3 months, such as a utility bill or bank statement
• Your ID1 form, with Section A filled in

No passport or driving licence? Other documents can be accepted, so check what ID documents you need. For help with Section A, read how to fill in Form ID1.

How long an ID1 stays valid

A completed ID1 must be signed no more than three months before you send your application to HM Land Registry. So if your plans are delayed, you may need a new check. For examples, read how long an ID1 form is valid.

Where to download the ID1 form

The ID1 form is free from GOV.UK, as a Word document or a PDF. The current version was last updated on 16 February 2026. Our ID1, ID2 and ID5 forms download page has the official links.

Watch: how ID1 verification works

This short video walks you through booking, the video call and what happens next.

Common questions

What is an ID1 form for?

An ID1 form proves your identity to HM Land Registry when no conveyancer is acting for you. It protects against property fraud, because it shows that the person named on the application is really you.

What is the difference between an ID1 and an ID2 form?

ID1 is for individuals, while ID2 is for companies and other organisations. Either way, when the check is done by video, the solicitor also completes a separate ID5 form.

Can any solicitor complete an ID1?

A practising solicitor can verify your identity for an ID1, and so can some other regulated professionals listed in Practice Guide 67. However, a friend or family member cannot, unless they are one of those professionals.

How much does a solicitor charge for ID1?

Solicitors set their own fees, so prices vary. Our fixed price is £79 in the UK or £99 if you live overseas, and the ID5 is included.

Is an ID1 needed for land worth £6,000 or less?

No. HM Land Registry does not require an ID1 or ID2 where the land involved is worth no more than £6,000.

Can two joint owners share one ID1 form?

No. Each person named on the application needs their own ID1, verified separately. So joint owners need one each.

What happens after my identity is verified?

The solicitor emails you the signed ID5 and your verification photo. Then you send your ID1, the ID5 and the photo to HM Land Registry with your application, such as a TR1 for a transfer.

Related guides

• ID1 vs ID2 vs ID5, compared side by side
• What an ID1 form costs
• What to do if your ID1 is rejected or requisitioned

Not sure which applies to you? Then browse all our ID1, ID2 and ID5 guides.