Residential, Rural and Commercial Conveyancing
Verification of Identity (VOI)
The Queensland Land Titles Office has brought in strict new laws since 30 September 2019 for witnessing signatures on all Land Titles Office documents. It is now a legal requirement of all witnessing officers to verify a person’s identity before witnessing their signature. This new protocol is called the “Verification of Identity (VOI) Standard”.
When completing a VOI Form, a qualified witnessing officer is required to sight the original identification from one of the below categories of the signatory. Copies of this identification are then to be attached to the completed VOI Form and returned to our office.
Category
Identification documents required
For Persons who are Australian citizens or residents
1
Australian Passport or foreign passport or Australian Evidence of Immigration Status ImmiCard or Australian Migration Status ImmiCard
plus Australian drivers licence or Photo Card
plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
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
3
Australian drivers 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
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 or name or marriage certificate if necessary
4 (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
5 (a)
Identifier Declaration
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
5 (b)
Identifier Declaration by a Person specified in Verification of Identity Standard paragraph 5.4(e) – see 3.3.1 for an appropriate Identity Declarant
plus Medicare or Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs card
plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
For Persons who are not Australian citizens or residents
6 (a)
Foreign passport
plus another form of government issued photographic identity Document
plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
6 (b)
Foreign passport
plus full birth certificate
plus another form of government issued identity Document
plus change of name or marriage certificate if necessary
If you cannot fulfill any of the above categories, it may be necessary for you to apply for a birth certificate or marriage certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. This should be actioned as soon possible as to not delay settlement. A birth certificate or marriage certificate can be ordered online through the Queensland Government website or by visiting your local Court House, please note timeframes and costs can vary for processing to be completed.
As your legal representative, our office will provide you with instructions in our initial correspondence on when a VOI is required. We are here to make the process as simple as possible so if you have any concerns, please contact our office.
If you would like to read more on Verification of Identity requirements, please visit the Titles Queensland website at https://www.titlesqld.com.au/manual-guides/guides-to-common-registry-transactions/signing-and-witnessing-requirements/