You want to claim a few hundred pounds in lost dividends. You write to the Registrar. They write back saying: “We cannot pay you until you send us a certified copy of your Passport.”
This often feels invasive. Is it a scam? Why do they need a passport just to send a cheque?
The Reality: It’s the Law Share Registrars (like Equiniti and Computershare) are regulated financial institutions. They are bound by strict UK Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations.
- They legally cannot release funds—especially “accumulated” dividends—without verifying the identity of the recipient.
- This is to stop identity thieves from claiming “lost” assets belonging to other people.
Do NOT Send Your Real Passport Unless they specifically demand the original (which is rare), never put your actual passport in the post. If it gets lost, it is a nightmare to replace.
Send a “Certified Copy” Instead
- Photocopy: Take a clear photocopy of the photo page of your passport.
- Find a Professional: Take the copy and the original to a “person of good standing” (Solicitor, Accountant, Doctor, or Bank Official).
- The Certification: They must write on the copy: “I certify that this is a true likeness of [Your Name] and a true copy of the original.” They must sign and date it.
- Send: Post the certified copy to the registrar.
How to Send It Safely Always use Royal Mail Special Delivery (tracked). This gives you proof that the legal documents arrived at the Registrar’s secure facility.
Don’t Know Who to Send it To? Sending sensitive ID to the wrong address is a security risk. Use Divica to verify the correct correspondence address for the specific Registrar handling your claim.