ID1 form: who needs it, who can certify it and what it costs

GOV.UK says evidence of identity is needed for any party who is not legally represented, and for the person lodging the application if that is someone else. Private individuals must complete form ID1.

If you have a solicitor or conveyancer acting for you, they normally deal with identity checks as part of their work. The form matters most to people who act without legal representation, such as a buyer or seller doing their own paperwork. GOV.UK's page on applications without legal representation says you will generally need to provide identity evidence.

Some cases are outside the rule. GOV.UK lists exceptions, including leases or charges that are merely noted on the register and certain parties such as trustees in bankruptcy and liquidators.

One form for each person

GOV.UK says that where a party to a transaction is more than one person, each must complete a separate ID form and produce evidence of their identity. If two people are selling together, each needs their own ID1. The same applies where an attorney acts: separate forms are needed for each person involved.

GOV.UK says accepted verifiers include conveyancers, Chartered Legal Executives, Licensed Probate Practitioners, and people who work in certain professions, which it lists in practice guide 67 and its ID3 guidance.

To count as a conveyancer under rule 217A, a person must be authorised under the Legal Services Act 2007 and in effect hold a practising certificate. GOV.UK warns that a requisition is likely if the verifier says they are retired or not practising. It also says: "Paralegals are also unable to verify identity because they do not fall within the rule 217A definition of conveyancer."

If checking in the UK is not possible, GOV.UK says a lawyer or notary qualified in your country of residence should complete and sign section B or C, with added confirmation of the country, their qualification and the body they are registered with. ID1 is still required. GOV.UK also says the "sufficient steps have been taken" option on forms AP1, FR1 and DS2 cannot be used in this case. Serving UK armed forces members overseas can be verified by a fellow serving officer, who must give their passport number.

ID1 does not move ownership. Form TR1 does that, and our TR1 form guide explains who signs it. The application to change the register is form AP1, covered in our AP1 form guide. The GOV.UK TR1 guidance says that if you send AP1 or FR1 and are not a conveyancer, you must provide evidence of identity.

To see what the register shows about a property before you apply, follow our guide to a Land Registry search. Our free property checker also shows sold prices, EPC, crime, flood, planning and council tax for an address. Our glossary also has a short entry on the ID1 form.