Where the customer has not been physically present for identification purposes and/or it has not been possible to verify the customers identity via electronic means, identification and residency evidence must be copied and certified by an appropriately authorised person (see below). This certification must include:
confirmation that the documents are true copies of the originals
date of certification;
the name of the person undertaking the certification and the firm they work for;
the person undertaking the certification must be verifiable as a member of that firm;
where a photograph is included and the person certifying the document has physically seen the customer and evidence, the words ‘true likeness of the applicant’ or similar must also be included on the certified copy, to confirm that the original photograph matched the presenter.
Customer Due Diligence documents can be certified by an individuals who work for the following type of entities:
Entity TypeVerifiable ByComments FCA regulated company e.g. a BrokerFCA RegisterDependent upon size of the firm the individual may not be named on the register. Comfort may be taken that they are regulated. Regulated SolicitorLaw Society/SRAThe solicitor must be named on the Law Society register and hold a current practicing certificate. Licensed ConveyancerLaw Society CQS scheme; Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC)Must appear on either list or hold a current practicing certificate. AccountantICAEW, ACCA (or an alternative as detailed in the lending policy/standards)The accountant must be subject to AML regulations and be verifiable on the relevant regulatory bodies’ website. The accountant must be registered
with the relevant body.