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.
đź‘Ą Who needs to provide ID?
We need to complete identity checks for everyone involved in a captured transaction. This includes:
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Both spouses or partners (for joint property or refinancing)
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All trustees and persons with power to appoint and remove trustees
- All executors of estates and beneficiaries we are distributing to
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All company directors and shareholders (25%+ ownership)
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The donor and the attorney for Enduring Powers of Attorney
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Anyone giving us instructions or paying on someone else’s behalf
👉 Not sure if this includes you? Just ask—we’ll let you know.
đź“„ 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:
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A full bank statement (less than 6 months old)
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A bank card with your name embossed
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A SuperGold card
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A New Zealand firearms licence
All documents must be current and clearly show your name.
🏠Proof of Address
We also need to confirm your physical street address (not a PO Box). You can use:
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A bank statement or utility bill
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A letter from IRD or NZTA
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A council rates invoice
🗓️ The document must be dated within the last 3 months and clearly show your name and address.
📧 How to give us your documents
You’re welcome to email us scanned copies or photos to start with. But we still need to:
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âś… See the originals in person, or
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âś… 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.
🌍 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.
🧾 What else might we ask for?
Sometimes, we need a little more info to complete our due diligence. For example:
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đź’° Where your funds have come from (e.g. savings, property sale, inheritance)
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🏡 Your source of wealth (especially for trusts or larger transactions)
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đź“„ Trust or company documents
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🔍 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.
đź’¬ 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.
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