Legal representative verification statements
Published 28 April 2025
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Applicant
In person
“I, [insert name], solicitor, act for [applicant’s title and full name] (‘the applicant’). I have examined the originals of the three ID documents submitted with this declaration and verify that the copies submitted are true copies of the originals. Accordingly, I verify that the applicant, to the best of my knowledge and belief, is the person identified in those documents.”
Virtually
“I, [insert name], solicitor, act for [applicant’s title and full name] (‘the applicant’). I certify that I met with the applicant by way of a video call, and I was provided with three items of evidence of their identity as specified in the HSSA process guidance. I also certify that I took a colour screenshot of the applicant whose identity I verified during the video call by reference to those three items. I undertake to keep a record of the applicant whose identity I have verified along with a copy of the evidence of identity provided to me and a copy of the screenshot taken during the video call.”
Using ID checking software
“I, [insert name], solicitor, act for [applicant’s title and full name] (‘the applicant’). I certify that I verified the applicant’s identity using ID checking software that meets the requirements set out in the HSSA process guidance. I also certify that I took a colour screenshot of the applicant during a video call as part of this verification process. I have reviewed and retained the report generated by the software, which includes clear colour copies of the three identity documents provided. I undertake to keep a record relating to the applicant whose identity I have verified, along with copies of the report containing evidence of their identity, and the screenshot taken during the video call.”
Power of attorney
In person: applicant is present
“I, [insert name], solicitor, act for [applicant’s title and full name] (‘the applicant’). I confirm that [attorney’s title and full name] [is/are] the applicant’s duly authorised attorney[s] under a valid power of attorney for property and financial affairs, and I have separately established both their identity and their authority to act on behalf of the applicant, who is unable to independently manage their affairs.
“I have examined the originals of the three ID documents submitted with this declaration and verify that the copies submitted are true copies of the originals. Accordingly, I verify that the applicant, to the best of my knowledge and belief, is the person identified in those documents.”
In person: applicant is not present
“I, [insert name], solicitor, act for [applicant’s title and full name] (‘the applicant’). I confirm that [attorney’s title and full name] [is/are] the applicant’s duly authorised attorney[s] under a valid power of attorney for property and financial affairs, and I have separately established both their identity and their authority to act on behalf of the applicant, who is unable to independently manage their affairs.
“I have examined the originals of the three ID documents provided to me by the applicant’s duly authorised attorney[s] and verify that the copies submitted with this declaration are true copies of the originals. I verify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the applicant is the person identified in those documents.”
Virtually: attorney provides ID evidence on behalf of applicant who is not present
“I, [insert name], solicitor, act for [applicant’s title and full name] (‘the applicant’). I confirm that [attorney’s title and full name] [is/are] the applicant’s duly authorised attorney[s] under a valid power of attorney for property and financial affairs, and I have separately established both their identity and their authority to act on behalf of the applicant, who is unable to independently manage their affairs.
“I certify that I met the duly authorised attorney[s] by way of a video call, and I was provided with three items of evidence of the applicant’s identity as specified in the HSSA process guidance. Additionally, I certify that I took a colour screenshot of duly authorised attorney[s] during the video call. I undertake to keep a record of all evidence of identity provided to me, including a copy of any screenshots taken during the video call.”
Virtually: attorney provides ID evidence on behalf of applicant who is present
“I, [insert name], solicitor, act for [applicant’s title and full name] (‘the applicant’). I confirm that [attorney’s title and full name] [is/are] the applicant’s duly authorised attorney[s] under a valid power of attorney for property and financial affairs, and I have separately established both their identity and their authority to act on behalf of the applicant, who is unable to independently manage their affairs.
“I certify that I met with the applicant by way of a video call, and I was provided with three items of evidence of the applicant’s identity as specified in the HSSA process guidance. Additionally, I certify that I took a colour screenshot of the applicant during the video call. I undertake to keep a record of all evidence of identity provided to me, including a copy of any screenshots taken during the video call.”
Checking software: ID checked with applicant not present, with attorney providing evidence
“I, [insert name], solicitor, act for [applicant’s title and full name] (‘the applicant’). I confirm that [attorney’s title and full name] [is/are] the applicant’s duly authorised attorney[s] under a valid power of attorney for property and financial affairs, and I have separately established both their identity and their authority to act on behalf of the applicant, who is unable to independently manage their affairs.
“I certify that I verified the applicant’s identity using ID checking software that meets the requirements set out in the HSSA process guidance. I also certify that I took a colour screenshot of the attorney[s] during the video call as part of this verification process. I have reviewed and retained the report generated by the software, which includes clear colour copies of the three identity documents provided. I undertake to keep a record of all evidence of identity provided to me, along with copies of the report containing evidence of their identity, and the screenshot taken during the video call.”
Executor/Administrator
In person
“I, [insert name], solicitor, act for [executor’s/administrator’s title and full name] (‘the personal representative’) in respect of the estate of [applicant’s title and full name] (‘the applicant’). I confirm that the personal representative is duly entitled to act on behalf of the applicant’s estate under a valid [grant of probate/letters of administration/confirmation (delete as applicable)].
“I have examined the originals of the three ID documents submitted with this declaration, as specified in the HSSA process guidance, and verify that the copies submitted are true copies of the originals. Accordingly, I verify that the personal representative, to the best of my knowledge and belief, is the person identified in those documents and has the legal authority to manage the estate of the applicant.”
Checks conducted virtually by video call
“I, [insert name], solicitor, act for [executor’s/administrator’s title and full name] (‘the personal representative’) in respect of the estate of [applicant’s title and full name] (‘the applicant’). I confirm that [executor’s/administrator’s title and full name] is duly entitled to act on behalf of the applicant’s estate under a valid [grant of probate/letters of administration/confirmation (delete as applicable)].
“I certify that I met with the personal representative by way of a video call, and I was provided with three items of evidence of their identity as specified in the HSSA process guidance. I also certify that I took a colour screenshot of the personal representative whose identity I verified during the video call by reference to those three items. I undertake to keep a record of the personal representative whose identity I have verified along with a copy of the evidence of identity provided to me and a copy of the screenshot taken during the video call. Accordingly, I verify that the personal representative, to the best of my knowledge and belief, is the person identified in those documents and has the legal authority to manage the estate of the applicant.”
ID checking software
“I, [insert name], solicitor, act for [executor’s/administrator’s title and full name] (‘the personal representative’) in respect of the estate of [applicant’s title and full name] (‘the applicant’). I confirm that the personal representative is duly entitled to act on behalf of the applicant’s estate under a valid [grant of probate/grant of letters of administration/confirmation (delete as applicable)].
“I certify that I verified the personal representative’s identity using ID checking software that meets the requirements set out in the HSSA process guidance. I also certify that I took a colour screenshot of the personal representative during a video call as part of this verification process. I have reviewed and retained the report generated by the software, which includes clear colour copies of the three identity documents provided. I undertake to keep a record relating to the personal representative whose identity I have verified, along with copies of the report containing evidence of their identity, and the screenshot taken during the video call. Accordingly, I verify that the personal representative, to the best of my knowledge and belief, is the person identified in those documents and has the legal authority to manage the estate of the applicant.”