VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY (VOI) REQUIREMENTS IN PROPERTY SETTLEMENTS
When you are buying, selling or transferring property in Victoria you will need to have your identity verified by your legal representative. The verification of identity requirement form part of the transition to the electronic conveyancing system.
Verification of identity reduces the risk of identity fraud and unauthorised property transactions and ensures that the right persons are dealing with the land.
HOW TO CONDUCT A VERIFICATION OF IDENTITY (VOI)?
Your legal representative needs to take “reasonable steps” to verify your identity. Reasonable steps include taking such steps as an ordinary prudent person would have taken the in the circumstances in the ordinary course of their business. Whether such steps were taken will be a question of fact depending on the circumstances of each case.
The verification of identity is valid for two (2) years and can be used for all land transactions during that period.
WHAT ARE ACCEPTABLE IDENTITY DOCUMENTS?
An original and current documents from one of the below listed categories must be provided to satisfy the verification of identity requirements.
Minimum document requirements for Australian citizens or residents
Category 1
Australian Passport or foreign passport or Australian Evidence of Immigration Status ImmiCard or Australian Migration Status ImmiCard
plus Australian driver’s licence or Photo Card
plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
Category 2
Australian Passport or foreign passport or Australian Evidence of Immigration Status ImmiCard or Australian Migration Status ImmiCard
plus full birth certificate or citizenship certificate or descent certificate
plus Medicare or Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs card
plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
Category 3
Australian driver’s licence or Photo Card
plus full birth certificate or citizenship certificate or descent certificate
plus Medicare or Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs card
plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
Category 4
(a) Australian Passport or foreign passport or Australian Evidence of Immigration Status ImmiCard or Australian Migration Status ImmiCard
plus another form of government issued photographic identity Document
plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
(b) Australian Passport or foreign passport or Australian Evidence of Immigration Status ImmiCard or Australian Migration Status ImmiCard
plus full birth certificate
plus another form of government issued identity Document
plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
Category 5
(a) Identifier Declaration
plus full birth certificate or citizenship certificate or descent certificate
plus Medicare Card or Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs card
plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary.
(b) Identifier Declaration by a Person specified in Verification of Identity Standard
plus Medicare Card or Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs card
plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary.
Minimum document requirements for Persons who are not Australian citizens or residents
(a)Foreign passport
plus another form of government issued photographic identity Document
plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
(b) Foreign passport
plus full birth certificate
plus another form of government issued identity Document
plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary.
CAN A VOI BE CONDUCTED AT AUSTRALIA POST?
Australian Post is an Approved Identity Verifier and can VOI clients for both paper and electronic property transactions.
A participating post office can verify identity for clients that are:
- buying land or property, or one of multiple purchasers buying land or property
- selling land or property, or one of multiple owners selling land or property
- transferring land or property to someone else, having land or property transferred to them, or one of multiple parties involved in the transfer of land or property.
Australia Post charge a service fee of $49. These fees can be paid in cash, EFTPOS, Visa or MasterCard.
Australia post ensure that the VOI report is delivered to your legal representative within 15 minutes of you completed your identity check.
OUR OFFICE ALSO CONTACT VOI
Contact our office on 8590 8370 or further information or to make appointment with one of our professional staff to assist with the verification process.
Our office can also assist to witness a statutory declaration, provide certified copies of documents or with your conveyancing transaction.
Please make sure your bring the correct identity documents to ensure the verification is valid.
