Solicitor wants 2 x ID before making an initial appointment. Is that normal?

[Turtletunes]

Hi, I've plucked up the courage to phone a solicitor to make a one off appointment to see where I stand financially when and if I ask my husband for a divorce. I said on the phone I wanted a one off appointment to get some advice about divorce. They emailed me (I had prepared a hotmail email address just in case ) and have asked me to fill in and return a new client form along with 2 sets of ID before making an appointment. Is that normal? I was hoping I could just go along and get some hypothetical advice. I can manage to sneakily do it I guess, but it will be a little difficult to do without being spotted taking ID out of OH's office. I just wondered if it was normal and I should do it or phone another solicitor?

What do you have? I’m sure the list is reasonably long. It’s just to open a file.

I saw a solicitor 10 years ago about voluntary redundancy and I had to do this then. So not a new thing. As others have said, I was told it was to do with money laundering.

Only one needs to be photo ID. Passport, driving license, student ID. Do you not have any of these? If so, Unless there's a disability I'd apply for a provisional licence.

No photo id. My driving licence is the original paper one. No passport. I am not on any bills. I have no money of my own to get one.

In the past a paper driving licence and bank statements used to be enough.

Changing your licence for a photo card one was a good suggestion from OP. If things are really tricky at home, arrange to spill coffee on it “accidentally” to explain the whole thing.

PP not OP, sorry.

When was your license issued, apologies.... Just trying to figure out if you're possibly driving around illegally. That would warrant you having to change it without suspicion. Or like the PP, lose it, spill coffee on it....

The other ID can be a bank statement, letter from HMRC etc, a hospital letter. Please don't panic.

Its perfectly legal for driving, however its no longer allowed to be used for id purposes apparently. I cannot exchange it for a photo one as that involves money and husband. I have just enough squirrelled away to pay for basic legal advice (hopefully).

Good to know I can use a hospital letter, I have plenty of those.

Sorry for hijacking your thread op. It seems to be one hurdle after another.

There has to be a way around it. If they’re advising you on your situation anyway, I would explain that your ID dilemma is related to your legal dilemma and take their advice.

Hopefully this picture works..... If not its the Yoti card/app which is the new digital ID endorsed by the Gov. Its free just using the app but a physical card costs £15.

www.citizencard.com/yoti-citizencard-new-id-solution-for-the-uk

Also, if you have no pic ID you can get a referee to verify your identity and as you've mentioned you have hospital letters, a GP etc should be able to assist.

If you do leave your husband you are going to need ID for opening accounts, claiming benefits, registering at a new doctors etc so would strongly advise you applying.

Can't you just get a Citizen Card? I think its £15.

I was just looking. She’d need a passport or photo card driving licence for a citizens card. Or else a professional referee to validate her identity. Plus a photo or a small fee by card.

To change her paper licence for a photo card, she needs a photo (obviously) and £20 by card plus either a passport, travel document,…or a birth certificate and extra checks.

I was going to offer to order the DL if she trusted me with her licence details and a photo but it’s more complicated than that.

Sorry @Pixiedust1234 - I’m talking about you like you’re not there. It’s frustrating. I was in a situation like yours 20 years ago, and had to get a court order but thankfully didn’t need photo ID. You can’t be alone in this.

The app gives a digital copy free, it uses a picture she uploads and then she uploads her referee and paper licence for verification.

I've done it for my daughter and didn't have to pay, it's only if you want the actual physical card.

Ask Womens Aid for advice @Pixiedust1234

They have online chat and the local branches have lists of local solicitors they recommend for women.

www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/

Oh well if the solicitors will take that, that would solve it.

If you contact the solicitor and explain any problems with ID such as what is described above they will help you find a solution. It's actually a good test to see if they are worth your while.

My solicitor asked for I'd when we were sorting out dad's Inheritance. I only have a provisional driving license she looked me up on something for other I.d. plus showed her proof of address.

Yes normal x

Heya. I am a solicitor and it's a standard money laundering due diligence procedure for all new clients. I never act for individuals so I'm not up to date on the exact requirements, just remember it from some general training I had. However if I was your solicitor I would absolutely bend over backwards to find a way through for you if you explained why you were having difficulty with providing the ID. I would try and explain the problem to your solicitor and if you are still stuck, try another solicitor and another, or womens aid, or the CAB. I am pretty confident that someone will be able to help you. If you get really stuck DM me and I will check the rules to see if there is a way around it that you can suggest to your solicitor. But I think someone is likely to help you find a way through, they should have a senior in their firm who will be able to find a solution that satisfies the requirements. I would expect your solicitor to go straight to a partner or to their risk and compliance team and ask them to help find a workaround for you.

It's normal.

However, the solicitor firm (large with a decent rep.) ran a credit check on me using my ID without my permission when I was seeking representation during my divorce.

I only found out about it after a mortgage company ran another check a few years later and sent me a copy.

Im was fine because it wasn't a domestic abuse/financial abuse situation and I was 100% getting divorced - but I would hate to see other women get caught out as my ex would have been able to see that credit check on my file as we were linked through marriage. In my case as I've said, that would have been ok because it was no secret I was divorcing him, but just be aware!

@Turtletunes yes it’s normal and shows the firm is complying with proper process. They have to pass conflict checks etc. Nothing strange about it - be more concerned where a firm doesnt ask.

@twoqueens This is exactly the kind of thing I'm worried about.