to think that sending original documents by post is a bit mad.

[Taxicus]

I need to do an overdue name and title change on my driving license. The DVLA require I send my marriage certificate by post. AIBU to think that we now live in an age where identity theft and sophisticated fraud are a very real concern and that sending any original documents like this by postal service is a bit mad.

Obviously the DVLA need to be extremely cautious and protect themselves and the system from fraud, of course I understand that but what about protecting customers too?

They will not accept a stamped signed copy by the post office.

I rang the DVLA direct to check and was told the only way around it is to have my solicitor draw up another certified copy if I am worried. So unless I'm prepared to do that, I have no choice.

The operator on the end of the phone only knew of one instance where documents were lost since working there, although didn't mention how long she had worked there herself.

Also it was mentioned the volume of documents sent annually. Her response was very professional and rehearsed which did make me wonder if I'm not actually the first person to question this.

What now, just post them off I guess and hope they come home?

My solicitor lost my passport for a year, said he never received it. Youu can get a certified copy

well, we posted passports off to have them renewed, so...

I agree with you, as someone who works in IT Security, identity theft is real, but believe it or not, they have much easier ways than intercepting the royal mail.

Take a copy of it for yourself in case you need the reference numbers and all, and just send it.

If you are worried, a solicitor won't charge much for a certified copy.

The government would be unwise to trust royal mail staff to not collude to help their family members...

If there is no way around it, then I guess that is what you will have to do.

I would suggest you take photos of your original documents prior to sending them and that you send you also ensure you send them via Royal Mail Signed For Delivery.

I think you can get a copy of your marriage certificate from the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. It costs but may be cheaper than getting a solicitor involved.

www.gov.uk/order-copy-birth-death-marriage-certificate

That's mad, antiquated & poor time/money management to boot as it entails costs photocopying & posting back. It means you have to fork out for recorded delivery in case it goes AWOL as well. All the large corporates I've contracted at accept scanned signed legal docs or contracts.

That's mad, antiquated & poor time/money management to boot as it entails costs photocopying & posting back. It means you have to fork out for recorded delivery in case it goes AWOL as well.

The Home Office down to a T. Also passport office, DVLA etc.

Anyone can order a copy of your marriage certificate though as it’s a matter of public record. I don’t think it can be used as proof of identity either only that a marriage between the two people listed on the certificate took place on the date on the certificate.

I do think it’s important that places like the DVLA who are issuing identity documents have sight of original documents. How could they take an easily altered photocopy or scan as the truth?

I HATE having to fork out for special delivery/ recorded delivery for this sort of thing.

In fact, last time I had to send an original document anywhere (my passport to be cancelled when I was renewing) I momentarily turned into my Dad, and just sent it normal post, then sweated for about 3 days until I got the text to say it had arrived and was being processed.

@CSIblonde !! you really think identity issuers are like banks and other places? You've got to be kidding

When I went to get my marriage certificate she asked how many I wanted. I got three, 2 to send off and 1 to keep on file at home. My dvla one came back fine.

Yanbu - My original wedding certificate was lost when it was sent back after this.
I am genuinely really sad that I don’t have the one we received on our wedding day due to the incompetence of Royal Mail.

Interesting responses. TwentyEight12 thankyou, I had no idea.

thecapitalsunited, ahh so what you're saying is, I can ask them to pay and order one themselves as proof if they need it. Great.

Local solicitor signed 3 certified copies of a document for me in similar circumstances for £5

I've changed my name recently with the DVLA and I just needed to provide them with my passport number to prove the name change. I didn't need to send them my marriage certificate. If your passport is in your new name would this be an option?

@honnaho21 to work in investment banks you have to supply photo ID or a birth certificate: & scans are accepted. On top of that a 6year reference check & 6year credit check is required. So actually it's just as rigorous but it is all online.

To work anywhere in the entire country you have to supply ID proving you are entitled to work in the UK. And those documents have to be originals by law. Online right to work checks can only be made on people with a biometric residence permit.

Your investment bank is breaking the law if they aren’t viewing and taking copies of original documents.

When you get a child's passport, you have to have documents returned to you by ordinary post. There is no option for recorded delivery. One of the envelopes came back without a seal!

But at least you can ask for another copy of a marriage certificate.

To work anywhere in the entire country you have to supply ID proving you are entitled to work in the UK. And those documents have to be originals by law.

Yes but you normally take them somewhere, show them to one person and they take a copy; then they give them back to you. You don't have to post them to a PO box of a huge organisation and wait for them to be posted back.

Just pop into any Solicitor office and ask them to do a certified copy for you. I do them all the time at my office. £5.

Surely it would be easier to allow the DVLA to access the Registry office records...they can use your passport details to issue a licence.