Expat identification list

Expat Identification and Address Verification

Mandatory Identification:

• Valid UK Passport confirming reference number and date of expiry.
• Legitimate work/residency visa or permit, showing applicant can live and work in the country of residence.
  Please note for both Australia and New Zealand it is acceptable for us to receive documentary evidence from the applicant of their electronic VISA records held by the relevant immigration services.
• Equifax credit footprint which shows an active current account to evidence that the applicant holds a UK bank account.

Proof of address, must show address:

One additional government-issued document or regulated financial institution confirming overseas residence is required.

Government-Issued Sources

• National Identity card containing the residential address
• Residence permit containing the residential address
• Government residency registration document
• Tax authority correspondence issued in the last 12 months
• Government-issued residency documentation
• Valid photocard driving licence from country of residence.
• If the legitimate work/residency visa or permit also shows the client’s residential address this is acceptable as identified above.

Regulated Financial Institution Sources (In that the financial institution is regulated by a regulator within the jurisdiction of residence or the UK)

• Bank Statement issued within the last 3 months
• Mortgage Statement issued within the last 12 months
• Investment account statement issued within the last 3 months
• Regulated financial institution correspondence containing residential address issued within the last 3 months.

If the above proof of address documentation cannot be produced, we expect to see two further documents from the mandatory address list below confirming address for country of residence.

• Copy of the employment contract accompanied by employer’s reference stating current residential address and applicant’s passport details.
• For Buy-to-let Expat clients, we will also accept an up-to-date payslip accompanied by employer’s reference stating current residential address and applicant’s passport details.
• Utility Bill - not including communication suppliers (no older than 3 months)
• Letter from an International Solicitor/Notary/Justice of the Peace confirming the address of the applicant.
• Letter from former employer confirming receipt of pension income - must be less than 12 months old.
• Latest Tenancy/Leasing Agreement which details overseas address.
• Credit Card Statement (no older than 3 months old)- Issued by a UK regulated Credit Card Company or by a Credit Card company based in the jurisdiction where the applicant is residing.

Where a foreign language is submitted, it should be submitted with an official translation in English attached. Translated documents should be certified to confirm:

• That it is a ‘true and accurate translation of the original document’
• The date of translation
• The full name and contact details of the translator or a representative of the translation company

Please note, we will not accept documents translated by brokers.

UK Notice Address - Expat BTL

A family members or solicitors UK address required for correspondence. Mortgage security address is not accepted as the notice address. 

UK Notice Address - Expat Residential

Mortgage security address is accepted as the notice address.

Certification

All mandatory identification and proof of address needs to be certified. 

The introducing intermediary/UK solicitor can certify these documents if they have seen the identification and client themselves. Or, if this is not possible, the documents can be certified by the applicant’s overseas bankers or a solicitor/notary/accountant, local authority dignitary such as the local Mayor, dentist, doctor, minister of a recognised religion, police officer, post office official, British Embassy staff, teacher/lecturer or official translator from a translation company residing in the jurisdiction where the applicant lives.

Evidence of identification must be certified as a true copy of the original and a true/good likeness of the applicants.

The certified documents must be written in English, and include the wording 'I certify this as a true copy of the original' and a true/good likeness of the applicants, where applicable. We also need the certified document to include the following:

• Date stamp;
• The person's name printed and signed;
• Job title (e.g. Personal Banker or Legal Advisor);
• Certification stamp (certification of documents must be within the last three months).

The Society reserves the right to directly approach or confirm any third party involved within the verification process to confirm details provided.