HM Land Registry's 'Safe Harbour' and Thirdfort's Enhanced NFC ID check
In November 2020, HM Land Registry announced that they were pursuing a ‘safe harbour’ standard for digital ID within conveyancing. HM Land Registry’s ‘Digital ID Standard’ is a set of requirements that, if met by a provider, means their ID check will equal an ‘alternative higher standard of identity check’.
The key benefit of meeting the Digital ID Standard is that you will be protected from recourse should fraud occur during the transaction.
The key elements of the Digital ID Standard guidelines
In order to meet HM Land Registry’s Digital ID Standard, the below guidelines must be met:
- Verification of the biometric chip in a client's identity document using NFC technology.
- Authentication of the digital signature and signing key on the biometric chip, to ensure the document has been issued by the relevant governing body.
- An enhanced 'liveness' check to ensure the document belongs to the person presenting it.
- When acting for a transferor, borrower or lessor, their ownership of the subject property must be proven.
Our solution: Thirdfort’s Enhanced NFC ID Check
Thirdfort’s Enhanced NFC ID Check meets these compliance requirements from HM Land Registry. Using NFC (near-field communication) technology, we extract the information held within the biometric chip on the client's passport. We then compare the data extracted from the chip to the data provided by the client.
We also run an advanced ‘liveness’ test to determine that your client’s face matches the picture extracted from their passport chip, and that the person who owns the document is the same person completing the face scan.
If the 'Person type' is selected as 'Property - Seller' or 'Property - Other', a Proof of Ownership task will automatically be sent to the client to collect the necessary evidence. It is then up to you to review these documents and ensure they meet your requirements.
What is NFC?
NFC technology is the ability for two electronic devices to communicate via a close distance. The ‘communication’ of the devices depends on the context in which the tech is used. For instance, NFC is the same technology that gives you the ability to pay for things with your mobile phone, and let yourself into your flat with a key fob.
The NFC extraction process can match an electronic signature, as well as extract biometric information from a passport chip. It is the same technology utilised at electronic passport gates.
NFC chip reading is an essential requirement of HM Land Registry's Digital Standard. Firms whose ID provider meets the Digital ID Standard will be protected from recourse in the case of fraud. As a bonus, NFC chip reading offers quicker, smoother ID verification for your clients.
Original ID Check
There is a different level of compliance required for our Enhanced NFC ID check to meet HM Land Registry’s Digital ID Standard. This does not mean that our Original ID checks are any less compliant with AML regulations, however. The Thirdfort Standard is simply an updated technology that protects conveyancers from prosecution in cases of fraud by meeting HM Land Registry’s Digital ID Standard.
When the HM Land Registry set the official Digital ID Standard, they wanted to make it virtually foolproof, and that meant using the ultimate in government-grade security. They have stated that other methods of ID verification (such as Thirdfort's Original ID) are still very effective.
Further information
For more information on HM Land Registry’s Digital ID Standard and how NFC technology works, please see our recent blog posts on the matter below:
- Passports, Near-Field Communication (NFC) and the Digital ID Standard
- HM Land Registry's Digital ID Standard: Questions you should be asking your provider
Need more help?
These articles should answer most of your questions. However, if you have any further queries please click the live chat button in the bottom right of your screen to talk to a member of the Client Support Team.
Furthermore, should your client have any queries about the process, our dedicated Customer Support Hub will provide the answer to many of your client's questions. From here they can also chat directly with one of our Consumer Support Team who can provide real-time help and assistance.