Verifying your identity: what to expect and why
Before we can act for you, we need to confirm who you are. This page explains why we are asking, how the request will reach you, and what to have ready. Most people finish in about 10 minutes, on their phone or computer.
Zed Legal Australia · Last updated: 3 November 2026
Why we are asking
From 1 July 2026, Australian law firms are regulated under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth). Before acting for a client we must:
- verify the identity of our client and anyone acting on their behalf
- understand the nature and purpose of the work
- assess money-laundering risk, and keep that assessment up to date
For property transactions there is a separate, overlapping requirement. The ARNECC Model Participation Rules for electronic conveyancing require us to verify the identity of every client before we sign or lodge documents for them. One check is designed to meet both.
These checks apply to every client. Being asked does not mean we have any concern about you.
How the request will reach you
- An email from Zed Legal Australia with the subject “Zed Legal Australia — identity verification” and a Verify my identity button. You may also receive the same link by SMS.
- The link is unique to you. Please don’t forward it, including to a spouse or co-purchaser, who will each get their own.
- If you weren’t expecting a request, or anything looks unusual, call us before you click.
What you’ll do
Tell us about yourself
Your name, date of birth, address and occupation, plus some short questions the law requires, such as how the transaction will be paid for. Most people answer “no” to the compliance questions.
Photograph your ID and take a selfie
Through our accredited identity verification provider. With your consent, your document details are checked against the government’s Document Verification Service.
Upload and sign
Upload photos of your supporting documents, then sign a short declaration on screen. Your result goes straight to your file. If we need anything further, or you run into any problems, just contact us and we’ll help.
What to have ready
Original Australian documents, current and unexpired:
- If your name differs between documents, have your marriage or change-of-name certificate handy.
- If your only photo ID was issued overseas, please contact us before starting.
Tips for a check that goes through first time
Photographing your ID
- Passport: photograph the photo page (the one with your photo and details), not the front cover.
- Whole document, flat and sharp: lay it on a plain surface in good light, with all four corners in frame and no glare, blur or fingers covering it.
- Check the details before you submit. On a driver’s licence the card number is different from the licence number. Mixing them up is the most common reason a check fails.
Taking your selfie
- Use your phone and tap “Allow” when asked for camera access.
- Face a window or lamp, not one behind you. Remove hats and sunglasses (and glasses if you can), and turn off any beauty filters.
- Do it in one go. Don’t switch apps, take a call or let your screen lock until you see the confirmation. If the selfie won’t work after a couple of tries, stop and contact us.
Protect yourself from scams
While we act for you, we may send you several secure requests: for example to verify your identity, sign documents, or provide your bank details. Each request has a single purpose:
Identity check (this page)
Your ID, a selfie and some details about you. It never asks for bank details or a payment.
Money requests
A request to pay funds into our trust account (for example a deposit or settlement funds), or a request for your bank details so we can pay money to you (such as settlement proceeds). Each comes as its own email from @zed.legal with a link to a secure page. Bank detail forms only open with a one-time code we text to the mobile number we hold for you.
- Check the sender. Our emails only ever come from an address ending in @zed.legal. Tap or hover over the sender’s name to see the full address. Scammers can copy our name and logo, and use lookalike addresses such as zed-legal or zedlegal.co.
- Never reply to an email with your bank details, pay to a different account because a message says our details have changed, or tell anyone a code we texted you (not even us, by phone or email). Only enter it on our secure page.
- Before you transfer any money, call us to confirm the amount and our trust account details.
Questions or problems
Not sure about a request, or stuck part way through? Contact us and we’ll help. If you are checking whether a message is genuine, use the number published here at zed.legal, not one given in the message.
General information only, not legal advice. For how we handle your personal and identity information, see our Privacy Policy.