🛡️ How to Prove Your Identity – What We Need for AML/CFT Compliance

At Regent Law, we’re required by law to verify your identity before we can help with certain types of legal work. This comes from New Zealand’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation. It applies when we’re involved in transactions where money or property changes hands—like buying or selling a home, refinancing, gifting assets, or setting up a trust.

We know the paperwork can feel like a hassle, but we’ve made it as straightforward as possible.

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👥 Who needs to provide ID?

We need to complete identity checks for everyone involved in a captured transaction. This includes:

• Both spouses or partners (for joint property or refinancing)

• All trustees and persons with power to appoint and remove trustees

• All executors of estates and beneficiaries we are distributing to

• All company directors and shareholders (25%+ ownership)

• The donor and the attorney for Enduring Powers of Attorney

• Anyone giving us instructions or paying on someone else’s behalf

👉 Not sure if this includes you? Just ask—we’ll let you know.

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📄 What documents do I need to provide?

✔️ Option 1 – Easiest: Current Passport

A valid passport is the simplest option. That’s usually all we need.

✔️ Option 2 – If no passport:

A New Zealand driver licence plus one of the following:

• A full bank statement (less than 6 months old)

• A bank card with your name embossed

• A SuperGold card

• A New Zealand firearms licence

All documents must be current and clearly show your name.

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🏠 Proof of Address

We also need to confirm your physical street address (not a PO Box). You can use:

• A bank statement or utility bill

• A letter from IRD or NZTA

• A council rates invoice

🗓️ The document must be dated within the last 3 months and clearly show your name and address.

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📧 How to give us your documents

You’re welcome to email us scanned copies or photos to start with. But we still need to:

• ✅ See the originals in person, or

• ✅ Receive certified true copies (from a lawyer, JP, Court Registrar, etc.)

If you’re local, you can bring in the originals and we’ll sort certified copies for you. If you’re not, we’ll guide you through the best option.

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🌍 If you’re overseas

If you’re overseas, different rules may apply depending on which country you’re in. We’ll send you tailored instructions so it’s all above board.

📱 If we act for you regularly, feel free to ask whether we can complete ID verification online, depending on your situation.

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🧾 What else might we ask for?

Sometimes, we need a little more info to complete our due diligence. For example:

• 💰 Where your funds have come from (e.g. savings, property sale, inheritance)

• 🏡 Your source of wealth (especially for trusts or larger transactions)

• 📄 Trust or company documents

• 🔍 Additional ID (for enhanced due diligence)

We only ask for what’s required—by law, to provide the right legal advice, or to meet our internal AML/CFT compliance obligations (which are regularly audited). We’re not here to make your life harder or to be nosy.

📌 If we ask for something, it’s best to send it all at once. Drip-feeding or delays can slow things down and sometimes add cost.

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💬 Need help?

We’re here to make this easy. If anything’s unclear, just get in touch—we’ll explain what’s needed and help you get it sorted.