Evidence to verify the identity of an applicant for registration as an overseas elector
Documentary evidence can be provided by an applicant at the point of their application or in response to a request from you when you are processing their application.
You may use documentary evidence to verify the identity of an applicant when:
their personal identifiers cannot be matched against DWP records or local data sources
they cannot supply some or all of the required personal identifiers
Documentary evidence may be uploaded alongside an online application or delivered to your office by hand, by post or as an attachment to an email. Any copies of documents provided by applicants should be stored securely in the same way as application forms. For more information see our guidance on the retention of information submitted with applications.
You should be satisfied that copies provided to you appear to be genuine. Where you have doubt as to whether a document is genuine, you may ask the applicant to provide original documents or alternative documentary evidence.
Where original documents or alternative documentary evidence is not available, you should direct the applicant to the attestation process or reject the application.
Where documentary evidence does not appear to be genuine, you should advise the applicant of the penalties for supplying false information and inform your police Single Point of Contact (SPOC) where you suspect that false information may have been supplied.