Should I get ID before attempting to purchase a house?

freeisgood

Hello all.

I currently have no passport (not for a few years now) and hold only an old fashioned paper drivers licence. No form of photo ID.

I will be purchasing with husband. No mortgage involved.


I do have my birth certifcate marriage certificate. . Is this going to be a big problem if I attempt to purchase a property or should I just get a passport/photo ID for the sole purpose of purchasing, in advance?

Many thanks!

Surrey_EA

It's going to make life simpler, when it comes to verifying your ID, that's for sure.

Your solicitor will need to do checks, if you buy via an EA they should be doing checks too, as will any mortgage broker/bank.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/money-laundering-regulations-your-responsibilities

freeisgood

Thanks SurreyEA. I think i'm going to have to bite the bullet and do it.

davidmcn

Would make things easier - birth and marriage certificate just prove that someone with your name was born/married, not that you are that person, and official extracts can be obtained by anyone (though an extract birth certificate issued immediately after your birth sometimes carries a bit more weight).
I'm sure you'd find some other use for a passport during its ten year period of validity.
And you'll need to get a new driving licence anyway when you change address.

Nadeshkarine

In order to proceed with our purchase our solicitor required copies of our passport, drivers licence and a utility bill as part of client ID verification.
When we didn't have one (the utility bill) they were able to accept an alternative but I doubt they would have for all three - they wanted the ID validated in person so I would imagine most would want some form of photo ID.
I think easiest to get one ahead of time as I it will just slow the process down getting it later.

Slithery

As davidmcn mentioned you will have to get a new photocard driving license when you move anyway. You may as well get your current license converted to a new one before you move as it will provide you with photo ID and won't cost you any more money getting it done now rather than later.

wantonnoodle

Slithery wrote: »

As davidmcn mentioned you will have to get a new photocard driving license when you move anyway. You may as well get your current license converted to a new one before you move as it will provide you with photo ID and won't cost you any more money getting it done now rather than later.

I would strongly recommend you wait until you move before getting a photocard driving licence unless you desperately don't want a new passport (which is a different matter in itself). If you exchange paper for photocard AND change address at the same time its free - if you just exchange paper for photocard without any other change you will have to pay £20.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-fees (section called "Exchange a paper or non-GB driving licence")

Slithery

Thanks for the correction wantonnoodle, I thought that the fee was still payable if changing address at the same time.

The driving license option is still cheaper than getting a new passport though...

Mardle

Check with your solicitor.

I have no photo ID but it didn't stop me buying a house with my daughter 3 years ago. The solicitor did an ID check on me which I think cost £5.

freeisgood

Thanks all, I have started the application for a new passport, and will wait till we move to do the photo drivers licence.

Many thanks for the advice.