Welcome > ADMA > Your Enquiry > Client Identification & Verification > Verifying the identity of an individual client – government-issued photo ID method
The following are resources that may be helpful in answering your enquiry. Please familiarize yourself with them before moving on.
In brief: You can verify an individual client’s identity in a physical meeting or in a virtual meeting. In either situation, you would use the individual’s valid, authentic and current photo ID issued by the government of Canada, a province or territory or a foreign government. However, the process and requirements for verifying an individual’s identity in a physical meeting differs from verifying an individual’s identity in a virtual meeting. Note that a video conference alone with a scan or image of an individual’s ID is not sufficient to satisfy your verification obligations. To verify an individual’s identity virtually, you must use reliable authentication technology to confirm that the ID is genuine, and confirm that the name and photo of the client are those of the individual in the ID.
Rules - Definitions: Law Society Rule 3-98.
Rules - Law Society Rule 3-102
Practice Resource - Guidance for virtual verification of your client’s identity using government-issued photo ID and technology.
Practice Resource - Learn about how to verify an individual’s identity in a physical meeting and a virtual meeting: Client ID & Verification - FAQs.
Rules - Law Society Rule 3-109.
Code - Dishonesty, fraud by client: BC Code rule 3.2-7.
Practice Resource - Red Flags Quick Reference Guide
Practice Resource - Client Identification, Verification and Source of Money Checklist, current to September 1, 2023; includes Sample Agreement with Agent for Verification. (Note the changes to Law Society Rules 3-102 and 3-104 made on March 8, 2024 that affect parts of this checklist.)
Practice Resource - See Top 10 Tips when verifying Client ID
Practice Resource - Anti-Money Laundering Webinar 2024
Rules - Exemptions to verification requirements: Law Society Rules 3-99 and 3-101.
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