Certifying passport

Advice please

Didn't find your answer?

Ltd co client who I’ve visited a few times and know the director & have a copy of his passport on file. His sister is the shareholder, but lives in Spain. They’re changing bank account and the bank want a certified copy of her passport, certified by a UK accountant/lawyer etc. 

I’ve never met her, but she’s sent me a scan of her passport and offering to send a photo or video of her holding it so I know it’s her. But I’ve still not met her (or her passport) in person. 

Do you think that, say, a FaceTime call would be ok, maybe with a photo of her with the brother? I’m leaning to yes, but what opinions ...

Any other options/advise? It’s a good client so I want to do what I can.

 Thanks 

Replies (24)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

By johngroganjga
19th Dec 2019 11:45

Are you not just certifying that a copy of a passport is a true copy of the original, which you have seen?

If so, what has meeting the passport holder in person got to do with it? Are you perhaps getting mixed up with the other task accountants are sometimes asked to do, which is to certify whether a photo included with an application for a new passport is a true likeness of the applicant?

Thanks (0)
Replying to johngroganjga:
ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
19th Dec 2019 11:51

But the point is, I haven’t seen her passport, currently only the scan that she’s sent me.

Thanks (0)
Replying to atleastisoundknowledgable...:
By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
19th Dec 2019 11:56

Surely you cant certify something you haven't seen?

Thanks (0)
Replying to atleastisoundknowledgable...:
By johngroganjga
19th Dec 2019 13:39

atleastisoundknowledgable... wrote:

But the point is, I haven’t seen her passport, currently only the scan that she’s sent me.

Yes I realise that. But your post is about seeing the holder of it, which is the perceived misunderstanding my response addresses.

Thanks (0)
Replying to johngroganjga:
ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
19th Dec 2019 13:44

johngroganjga wrote:

But your post is about seeing the holder of it, which is the perceived misunderstanding my response addresses.

In which case I didn't explain my thinking.

If I 'see' the original on FaceTime, then I can compare it to the scan that I am being asked to certify?

I appreciate that I muddied the water a little, but this is what I was getting at.

Thanks (0)
Replying to atleastisoundknowledgable...:
RLI
By lionofludesch
19th Dec 2019 13:55

atleastisoundknowledgable... wrote:

If I 'see' the original on FaceTime, then I can compare it to the scan that I am being asked to certify?

I vote no.

How can you judge the passport itself, quality of the paper, stitching etc, if you only see an image of it ?

Thanks (0)
Replying to johngroganjga:
avatar
By Accountant A
19th Dec 2019 12:02

johngroganjga wrote:

Are you not just certifying that a copy of a passport is a true copy of the original, which you have seen?

Way I read it, the OP hasn't seen the original.

Thanks (0)
Replying to Accountant A:
By johngroganjga
19th Dec 2019 13:41

Accountant A wrote:

johngroganjga wrote:

Are you not just certifying that a copy of a passport is a true copy of the original, which you have seen?

Way I read it, the OP hasn't seen the original.

Yes I realise that, but I am addressing the OP saying he needs to see the holder of it as well.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By kestrepo
19th Dec 2019 11:54

I was offered by a solicitor recently to verify my passport using Facetime so if it is good enough for them go for it!

I use software to verify for right to work etc. Coincidentally I posted this to the site yesterday:

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/company-verification

Thanks (0)
Replying to kestrepo:
Caroline
By accountantccole
19th Dec 2019 13:53

Husband "met" our conveyancing solicitor on skype. She had original passport in her hand though so not sure if this makes any difference

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Accountant A
19th Dec 2019 12:00

Not sure how you can certify something you haven't seen. Maybe I'm being over sensitive. Have you spoken to your professional body?

Thanks (0)
RLI
By lionofludesch
19th Dec 2019 12:02

You must see the passport.

A scan's not good enough. Too easy to forge.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Accountant A
19th Dec 2019 12:09

https://www.gov.uk/certifying-a-document

"How to certify a document

Take the photocopied document and the original and ask the person to certify the copy by: ...."

Thanks (0)
Jonathan@Aiteo
By Jonathan@Aiteo
19th Dec 2019 12:19

You're certifying the copy as a true representation of the original. For that you need to see the original and the copy side by side. It doesn't matter whether you know the person or not.

Thanks (1)
Accountants & Business Advisers
By Gladstone
19th Dec 2019 13:55

Other best alternative will be to complete this by taking his original passport to the British High Commission or Deputy High Commission and get them to certify locally which should be acceptable by UK banks.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By JDBENJAMIN
19th Dec 2019 14:59

If you have not seen the original document, you can't certify a copy of it. If you just see it on FaceTime, it could be a forgery. Don't do it.

Thanks (0)
Red Leader
By Red Leader
19th Dec 2019 14:48

Sorry to not be more helpful but "No!". Suggest they try a solicitor. If they say "I have but they wouldn't do it", see my first sentence.

Thanks (0)
ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
19th Dec 2019 14:59

Thanks all. Unfortunately ACCA agreed with you, so I had to say “no”, which I hate doing. :(

Thanks (1)
Replying to atleastisoundknowledgable...:
Caroline
By accountantccole
19th Dec 2019 15:10

It is very frustrating - would any of us actually be able to spot a proper forged passport? Chances are - no. So we'd merrily be signing off as certified!

Thanks (1)
Replying to accountantccole:
RLI
By lionofludesch
19th Dec 2019 15:22

accountantccole wrote:

It is very frustrating - would any of us actually be able to spot a proper forged passport? Chances are - no. So we'd merrily be signing off as certified!

Depends how good a forgery it was.

Thanks (0)
Replying to atleastisoundknowledgable...:
Red Leader
By Red Leader
19th Dec 2019 15:22

It is possible to be too nice, you know!

Thanks (0)
By SteveHa
19th Dec 2019 16:03

If someone is engaged in money laundering they probably have the nouse to obfuscate their identity via electronic mediums (how would you know the person you face time is the person they claim to be?)
A doctored passport scan and facetime with an imposter and bam! You're caught out.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By WhichTyler
19th Dec 2019 16:08

some UK banks have offices in Spain, if this one does then it might be worth getting the certification done there?

Thanks (0)
ALISK
By atleastisoundknowledgable...
19th Dec 2019 16:14

She’s gonna send it to her brother who’ll forward it onto me.

Seems a bit of a joke, but there we are.

Thanks (0)