sending valuable documents through the post

Biggles

As already mentioned, only send a certified copy, never the original.

I went into my bank (LTSB), walked up to the reception desk with my passport and photocopy, and she stamped and signed it then and there and said there was no charge.

masonic

Biggles wrote: »

As already mentioned, only send a certified copy, never the original.

As has already mentioned, it can sometimes be cheaper to send the original, and sending a certified copy is just as risky fraud-wise.

BWZN93

MattB wrote: »

I always wondered what qualifies as a 'bank/building society official'! Any ideas?

He he - good question! I know I can do some things but I dont know about non-retail staff. We can do certified copies of originals but not confirm the identity of someone - so passport etc are out unless you actually know that person.

Jo x

Biggles

masonic wrote: »

As has already mentioned, it can sometimes be cheaper to send the original, and sending a certified copy is just as risky fraud-wise.

That's not the point, some documents are irreplaceable, others can be replaced but at a cost and after a great deal of time. For example, you wouldn't want your passport to go missing with only a few weeks (or even months) to go before a holiday.

Biggles

jw1096 wrote: »

We can do certified copies of originals but not confirm the identity of someone - so passport etc are out unless you actually know that person.

Certified copies are all that is needed for this purpose, not confirmation of identity. All that is certified is that it is 'a true copy of the original' (otherwise there'd be no point in even sending an original without a supporting certificate).

masonic

Biggles wrote: »

That's not the point, some documents are irreplaceable, others can be replaced but at a cost and after a great deal of time. For example, you wouldn't want your passport to go missing with only a few weeks (or even months) to go before a holiday.

Sure, in that situation you wouldn't want to risk losing your passport if you really had nothing other than your passport that you could send. However, that's no reason to say "never [send] the original". There are instances where it is better to send an original document rather than pay for certification. The point is that the sender needs to weigh up the options, rather than make a sweeping decision that may not be the right one given the circumstances.

Edit: Just as an aside, I must have opened dozens of accounts over the past couple of years. I have been required to send identity documents twice in that time. On both occasions I sent originals: once my driving licence (cost of replacement: £20, covered by compensation if lost), the other time a certificate of tax coding from HMRC (cost of replacement: Free). In neither situation would it have made sense for me to go to the trouble or cost of sending certified copies.

Biggles

Maybe I've been lucky, but so far I've never been charged for certification.

I've had my doctor, my solicitor and my bank certify forms over the last year or two and never been charged a penny, though I believe the Post Office do make a charge.