Who can vouch for someone’s identity
Published 22 October 2020
© Crown copyright 2020
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You can accept vouches from anyone who’s in a ‘position of authority’ in their community or has retired from one.
The positions of authority who can vouch for people are:
- accountant
- administrator (permanent) at a GP or dentist’s surgery
- administrator (permanent) at a school, college or university
- airline pilot
- bank, building society or credit union official
- registered care home manager
- registered chiropodist (also known as ‘podiatrist’)
- civil servant
- commissioner for oaths
- councillor, for example a local or county councillor
- dentist
- registered dietitian
- director of a limited company
- doctor or surgeon
- engineer or technician (professionally registered with the Engineering Council)
- financial services intermediary, for example a stockbroker or insurance broker
- fire service official
- funeral director
- High Court enforcement officer
- insurance or assurance agent (chartered)
- Jobcentre Plus work coach
- Justice of the Peace
- lawyer, barrister or solicitor (including trainee solicitors and anyone on a Legal Practice Course or Bar Practice Course)
- legal secretary (fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs)
- licensee of a public house
- local government officer
- manager or personnel officer of a limited company
- member, associate or fellow of a professional body
- Member of Parliament
- Merchant Navy officer
- minister of a recognised religion
- notary
- registered nurse
- officer of the armed services
- registered optician
- paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
- registered pharmacist
- registered physiotherapist
- police officer
- Post Office official
- president or secretary of a recognised organisation
- probation officer
- social worker
- solicitor
- surveyor
- teacher or lecturer
- trustee of a registered charity
- valuer or auctioneer (fellow or associate members of the incorporated society)
- Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers
Do not accept a vouch from anyone who is not included in the list.