Verification of Identity (VOI) & Property Settlements

If you’re buying, selling or transferring property, or lodging other documentation at the Land Titles Office, you’ll need to have your identity verified face-to-face.

The Land Titles Office in Victoria has introduced new requirements for Verification of Identity (VOI), in property settlements, which will require all parties entering into land transactions to provide proof of their identity.  These new VOI requirements are part of the transition to a national electronic conveyancing system, but also apply to all current paper transactions where any documentation is lodged at the Land Titles Office.

The Process

The VOI check is a relatively straightforward process.  It lasts for two years and covers any transactions within that period.  If you have not already had your VOI completed for another recent transaction, you may either:

  • Visit one of our offices

Attend at either of our offices with your ID where one of our professional staff will witness your signature, take your photograph and photocopy the ID documents, which we must keep for 7 years.  If you wish to take this course, please telephone to make an appointment and check which ID documents to bring with you; or

  • Visit an Australia Post

Attend a participating Australia Post office and arrange to have an Australia Post representative verify your identity and take copies of your identity documents. 

Contact our office for a copy of an Identity Verification Form, which must be taken to your interview at Australia Post.  Most Post Offices can conduct this verification, however, you should ensure that your choice of Post Office is able to do so.  Using this form, Australia Post will return the Certified Identity Verification to our office via a secure digital mailbox.

Acceptable identity documents

You must produce original and current documents from one of the categories listed below to satisfy the Verification of Identity Standard.

You should produce two Category 1 documents if they have been issued to you.  If you don’t have the photo ID documents listed, you need to produce a statutory declaration stating why you cannot produce documents from the first three categories.  Then you need to produce Category 4 documents.

Please note:  Category 1 to 4 documents are for Australian citizens or residents.  A translation will be required for any passport, driver’s licence or birth certificate not in English.  If applicable change of name documentation will need to be providedº.

Persons acting on behalf of another such as Attorneys acting under a Power of Attorney and persons acting on behalf of an incorporated body, such as a company, must also have their identity verified. 

Category 1

1. Australian passport OR Foreign passport with Australian residents visa label* AND

2. Driver's licence OR Proof of Age card/Photo Card (issued by a state or territory) 

Category 2

1. Australian passport OR Foreign passport with Australian residents visa label* AND

2. Birth Certificate OR Citizenship Certificate AND

3. Medicare card OR Centrelink card OR Department of Veteran Affairs card

Category 3

1. Driver's licence OR Proof of Age card/Photo Card (issued by a state or territory)  AND

2. Birth Certificate OR Citizenship Certificate AND

3. Medicare card OR Centrelink card OR Department of Veteran Affairs card

Category 4

1. Declaration of Identity^ (issued in last 3 months) AND Birth Certificate or Citizenship Certificate AND

2. Medicare card OR Centrelink card OR Department of Veteran Affairs card

Category 5

1. Foreign passport AND

2. Australian driver's licence OR Proof of Age card / Photo Card (issued by a state or territory) OR Birth Certificate AND

3. Medicare Card OR Centrelink Card OR Department of Veteran Affairs card OR Foreign government issued identity document

º Must be issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.  Documents issued by a celebrant are not acceptable.

* If your foreign passport does not contain an Australian visa sticker, you must present a letter/printed email from the Department of Immigration with your visa details.

^ The Declaration of Identity is a statutory declaration by a person who knows the applicant and must include:

· Full name, address, date of birth (must be over 18) and occupation of the person making the declaration

· The nature of the declarant's relationship with the person being identified

· A declaration that they are not a relative of the person being identified

· The length of time they have known the person to be identified (must be more than 12 months)

· That the declarant is not a party to the conveyancing transaction that the person being identified has entered into

· That to the declarant's knowledge, information and belief the person being identified is who they purport to be

Note: The person being identified and the person making the declaration are to attend the same in-person interview.

Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams is a member of Property Exchange Australia (PEXA),
Australia's online property exchange network.

PEXA Member