Verifying Your Identity When Buying or Selling Property in NSW
Buying or selling a property in NSW? Congratulations! That’s a huge milestone! But before you get too carried away with styling your new living room or finalising the sale, there’s one essential legal step you can’t overlook:
Verifying your identity.
This isn’t just about paperwork. It’s a legal requirement for all property transactions in NSW — and skipping it or leaving it too late can delay or derail your settlement.
In this blog, we break down everything you need to know about verifying your identity, including:
- Why it’s required
- What documents you need
- Common pitfalls to avoid
- How Allwright Bourke makes it easy
Why Do I Need to Verify My Identity
Under rules set by NSW Land Registry Services (LRS), every person involved in a property transfer — including buyers, sellers, and people signing under a power of attorney — must verify their identity.
This protects you (and everyone else) by:
- Reducing the risk of identity fraud and fake transactions
- Ensuring that only authorised parties are signing contracts
- Confirming the correct legal name for the title
Without verified ID, your solicitor or conveyancer legally cannot settle the matter or transfer the title into your name.
What Documents Do I Need?
You’ll need to provide specific identification documents, depending on what you have available. These are grouped into four categories, and you must meet the requirements of at least one.
💡 Tip: If your ID is in a different name due to marriage or name change, you must provide legal documentation proving the change.
What Happens If You Don't Verify Your ID?
Failure to verify your identity can lead to:
- Delays in settlement
- Contracts not being enforceable
- Funds not being release
- The transfer of title not being registered
It’s also important to get this done early in the process so that if you need replacement documents (such as a missing birth certificate), you have time to arrange them.
Frequently Asked Questions
DO I NEED TO VERIFY MY ID IF I’VE ALREADY DONE IT FOR MY BANK OR BROKER?
- Yes. Even if your bank has verified your ID for your loan, your solicitor or conveyancer still needs to do a separate verification for the land registry process.
CAN I VERIFY MY ID AFTER I SIGN THE CONTRACT?
- Yes, but we recommend doing it before signing to avoid delays at settlement.
WHAT IF I’VE LOST MY PASSPORT OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE?
- Apply for replacements immediately. Let us know — we can advise on alternatives depending on your situation.
🤝 How We Can Help
At Allwright Bourke Lawyers & Conveyancing, we make the process stress-free. We’ll guide you through ID requirements and help you verify quickly, so your property deal keeps moving.
Buying or selling in NSW? Choose a team that offers the best of both worlds. Contact our experienced team today at admin@allwrightbourke.com today.