(Actually not so new) requirements for identifying parties to a conveyancing transaction are now mandatory in most Australian jurisdictions as we move closer to a national electronic conveyancing system. In Victoria, since November 2017, the land titles office has required all parties to any conveyancing transaction (such as a transfer, mortgage, subdivision, caveat etc) to undergo “verification of identity” (or “VOI”).
Now that conveyancing in Victoria mostly takes place via an electronic exchange platform, the burden for identifying parties has been shifted to the legal representatives, who must now take reasonable steps to properly identify their clients. This usually takes the form of a face-to-face meeting wherein the identifier sights the originals of at least two forms of government issued photographic identification documents, such as a drivers license and passport.
For persons resident overseas, this will involve them attending a meeting with an Australian Consular Officer or Australian Diplomat Officer who must conduct the meeting and certify copies of the identification used.
Once VOI is completed properly, it can be relied upon for up to two years before a meeting will need to be conducted again.