When you’re presented with a photocopy of an unsigned passport ….

Best practice is to inform the client and request that the holder sign their passport make a new photocopy, which can then be certified by the Justice.

An unsigned NZ passport cannot be used to verify the identity of a client for the purposes of a financial transaction eg student loan, or house purchase as proscribed in the Anti Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML-CFT 2009).

To verify a client’s identity the Justice must

• check that the photo on the passport is a true likeness of the client presenting the document and copy
• ensure that the passport is SIGNED and CURRENT – an expired or unsigned passport CANNOT be used to verify identity – Ask the client to sign the passport and make a new copy
• ensure that the copy is a true, accurate and complete copy of the actual passport (NOT a photo on a device)
• use an AML stamp OR handwrite the statement required by the receiving agency, sign, date and add personal JP stamp

However, as trusted persons, Justices of the Peace are authorised to certify a copy of any document providing that the copy is a true, accurate and complete copy of the original presented by the client. There is no law governing this task. Occasionally a situation arises where a certified copy of an unsigned passport is requested (eg the holder is deceased, or injured). In these rare situations, a Justice is advised to certify the copy and add a statement eg “Original passport not signed”