Sending passport to mortgage broker

emv

We're applying for a Halifax mortgage via a broker. Apparently Halifax need to see more proof of our address/ID and have asked for some bills & sight of our original passports (solicitor certified copies won't do). So the broker has asked us to send him both our passports. This doesn't feel right, not sure how long we'd be without them for, I have elderly parent living abroad, could possibly need to dash abroad to see them.


I called Halifax who said they'd be happy for us to call into one of their branches with our passports or driving licenses instead, surely this should be OK? Broker is still currently saying we must send them to him!


Em

Mortgage_Mark_2

Could be that your broker has dropped the ball and not realised he should have kept a copy on file for his own firm's compliance process?

Taking it to Halifax directly will solve their request, but just ask your broker if he needs a copy for his records (this isn't uncommon - we always get three forms of ID for clients regardless of which lender and what they themselves require).

Even if it is this, a copy (possibly certified) should suffice.

amnblog

Plan B is to use the Post Office Document Verification Service.


http://www.postoffice.co.uk/document-certification-service

emv

Thanks, everyone, our local solicitor only charges £5 to certify documents. Spoke to the broker again who is insistent that this happens all the time, that people send in their original passports. They then certify them & send off the information, it's very puzzling!

TrickyDicky101

emv wrote: »

Thanks, everyone, our local solicitor only charges £5 to certify documents. Spoke to the broker again who is insistent that this happens all the time, that people send in their original passports. They then certify them & send off the information, it's very puzzling!

I wouldn't send my passport through the post. Could you physically take them in to your broker (ie are they close to you)? I think this is a dubious justification - as Mark says I would have thought a solicitor-certified copy would be sufficient.

ACG

I do not like people sending me original passports - I personally would rather have branch stamped copies or signed by a solicitor. That being said, its not uncommon and there is nothing wrong. Some compliance companies are stricter than others.

Send it recorded and ensure your broker sends it recorded back. Realistically your only going to be without it for maybe 3-4 days at most.

ExpertAdvice

Pretty much any professional person such as a solicitor, accountant, GP etc can certify the documents and they are accepted by the lender. Also, going into a Halifax branch would definitely be accepted as they would send the copies directly to the mortgage department.

However, it seems that your broker must have submitted your application as face to face which means that he has actually met you in person, seen your original documents and would be certifying them himself. Thats why he's insisting on seeing the original passport.

clarky_cat

I got the post office to certify mine, costs £7.50 I think but it means I didn't have to send the original. I've used it a few times as well.

emv

No, we haven't met him & they are based a couple of hours from us so not really possible to pop in with it. I've used a solicitor certified copy before, not sure why I can't this time. Halifax have agreed I can go into a branch but as the application is going via a broker, it's not so straightforward.

pinkteapot

If Halifax are happy to see the passports in-branch, surely the application can progress?

In terms of your broker's own record-keeping, certified copies should be good enough.

Ask your broker why you can't just go into a Halifax branch and have it done there for the purposes of the application.

mrsammyp

We sent our passports in by special delivery and got them back a couple of days later via the same method.