Verification of Identity (VOI) in QLD Conveyancing

Quick answer: VOI stands for verification of identity – the process of confirming you’re really you before a property transaction settles. Your solicitor checks ID documents like your passport and licence to prevent fraud and meet PEXA and land registry requirements.

In this blog we explain Verification of Identity (VOI) in Brisbane Conveyancing, for property transactions.

This video/blog is great for anyone wondering how the QLD legal industry mitigates fraudulent transactions – and we explore what you need to do to make sure you get your VOI right the first time!

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Hi everybody – George Sourris, Empire Legal.

Today’s topic: Verification of Identity (VOI) in QLD Conveyancing, for property transactions. 

What is VOI (verification of identity) in QLD conveyancing?

Today we’re talking about Verification of Identity. Let’s jump straight in. All right, so in Queensland we have strict compliance rules to make sure that we correctly perform verification of identity or “VOI” on every client for our conveyancing matters.

The purpose of carrying out a VOI is to reduce the risk of identity fraud and fraudulent land transactions.

The two ways to complete your VOI

Option 1: in-person verification at our office

You can arrange an appointment to attend any of our offices with the appropriate original ID documents for the VOI to be completed face-to-face with a qualified witness from our office. 

We don’t always get to see all of our clients – we’d love to meet you! You can pop into one of our three offices – there’s Wynnum on the Bayside, Spring Hill in the City, or Paradise Point on the Gold Coast.

Option 2: remote web VOI with LiveSign

Option 2 is Remote Web VOI.

You can complete a VOI using a remote verification service called LiveSign –  from your own home without needing a witness. This service will allow you to use your smartphone to upload copies of identification documentation and a “selfie”, which uses biometric facial recognition and passport chip technology to verify your identity.

What ID documents do you need for a VOI?

The Verification of Identity standards set out by ARNEC, the governing body for electronic conveyancing in Australia, outlines different categories that list the minimum original ID documents that must be presented (see below). 

Most people elect to use their current driver’s license & passport. However, if you don’t have both available, there are other acceptable options, such as birth certificates, 18 plus cards, etc. If a person’s name has changed or differs from their ID, evidence supporting the name change will also be required – marriage certificate, change of name certificate, etc.  FUN FACT: a passport is still able to be used if it has expired within the last 2 years. The witness who completes the Verification of Identity certificate is also certifying copies of the ID that they cited.

For Trusts, note – the witness will also need to certify a full copy of the original trust deed.

Good news – if you have completed a verification of identity process with us within the last 2 years, then you don’t need to do it again.

 

Who can witness a verification of identity?

Now, regarding the qualified witness, when you come into our office, it’s either a lawyer, a JP, or a Commissioner for Declarations, which does this process for you. No other forms of witnesses are classified as qualified, so no police officers, chemists, doctors etc!

We have the correct witnesses ready and available for our clients at our 3 offices. So, keep in mind guys – that is appointment only, but all instructions are in our paperwork!

Form 6 VOI for Queensland real estate agents

Agents have their own version of this process. The Form 6 appointment gives an agent authority to act, and the client’s identity has to be verified before it is signed. We have set that out step by step in Form 6 client verification of identity in 5 minutes.

Now, we’re a tech friendly firm, and we truly believe that through the use of technology, we can make our clients and property industry partners, have an easier life. So real estate agents, bankers, brokers, we make the process easy.

It’s through this technology that we can find efficiencies like the online option for VOI. No need to book in and see a qualified witness – for a negligible cost, you can do it from the comfort of your home, which is likely less than the cost of fuel and car parking to go and see a qualified witness.  

What happens if identity is not properly verified

We MUST verify the identity of our clients in a way that constitutes “reasonable steps” – by verifying the ID against the Government database and then biometrically matching the photo ID to the person signing. The remote web VOI provides arguably an even more robust process than the face-to-face – as it validates the ID and removes the human error associated with the brain’s inability to deal with the changes in appearance since the ID photo was taken. But don’t worry, if you do come in, our guys are basically detectives – they’re going to make sure that you are the right person! Guys, just wanted to say a massive thank you. We’ve had 20% growth of our YouTube subscribers over the last month, so please, please, please – if we’ve added ANY value to you across any of our blogs or videos, we would really appreciate you subscribing to the page, leaving a comment, liking a video, or sharing with a friend. We’re currently not even at 10%.

So if you learnt something today, please take an extra 20 seconds to subscribe, and please give our video a like or even a quick comment.

Thank you very much and we’ll see you guys next week.

If someone you know is a Queensland real estate agent or in the industry, please share this video.

Also, if you could like and/or subscribe, if this content has added any value, we would really, really appreciate it.

Get in touch with us. Jump on our Instagram, our Facebook, our website.

George Sourris. Empire Legal.

If you have any questions, you can email me: george@empirelegal.com.au.

If this has added value, please share this blog / the YouTube video with a friend. Thanks for reading everybody. See you on the next one. Ladies and gentlemen, please keep in mind that all advice is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. This is authorised by George Sourris, Empire Legal, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

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