Manual identity verification

To get a certificate, you’ll usually need to prove your identity. If you can’t do online identity verification, you’ll need to do the manual identification process.

What identity documents can I use?

To do the manual identity verification process you’ll need to provide certified identity documents, including at least one with a photograph.

You’ll need to provide identity documents that are current:

  • Option 1: 2 documents from category 1, or
  • Option 2: 3 documents from category 1-4. You can't provide more than one document from each category list. For example, if you do not have a category 1 document, you must provide a document from each category list 2, 3 and 4, including one which has your photo.
CategoryDocuments
1
  • Australian driver licence card (must be a physical licence, not a digital licence)
  • Australian learner permit
  • Australian passport
  • ImmiCard (Immigration Card)
2
  • Firearm licence
  • Foreign passport
  • Security guard/crowd control licence
  • Tertiary education institution ID card (with photo)
  • Working with children check card
3
  • Birth certificate (Australian)
  • Change of name certificate (Australian)
  • Citizenship certificate (Australian)
  • Marriage certificate (Australian)
  • Medicare card
  • Visa verification (printed visa status from VEVO)
4
  • Centrelink card:
    • Pension Concession Card
    • Healthcare Card
    • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
    • Department of Veteran’s Affairs card
  • Evidence of your residential address in the last 12 months:
    • a lease agreement
    • rates notice
  • Documents on official company letterhead or stamped and approved by the company (issued in the last 12 months):
    • Bank statement (passbook, credit, savings or cheque account)
    • Superannuation fund statement
    • Utility account (gas, water, electricity, mobile or home phone)

What if I don’t have the required documents?

If you don’t have the required documents, please provide:

When you provide these documents, include your contact details (and order number, if you have one). This will help us connect them to your application and follow up with you if we need to.

We will then assess what you have provided. We may contact you to discuss your application.

What if your identity documents show a different name?

If your documents show your married name, provide:

  • Identity documents showing your different name, and
  • A certified copy of your marriage certificate if:
    • your documents show your married name, and
    • you got married outside Victoria

If you’ve changed your name and not updated your documents, provide:

  • Identity documents showing your different name, and
  • A certified copy of any change of name documents if you officially changed your name outside Victoria.

In all other cases, provide:

What is a certified document?

A certified copy is a document that has been verified by someone with the legal authority(opens in a new window) to say it is a true and correct copy of the original document.

The certifier needs to see the original document along with the copy. They will examine the copy, then stamp and sign it.

Which documents need to be certified?

All identity documents need to be certified, except for copies of documents from a company on its letterhead. For example, this may be from a bank, utility company or superannuation fund.

How do I submit my certified documents?

You can provide your identity documents by uploading them online or by sending them through the post.

Application delays for failing to provide proof of identity

The most common cause of delays in application processing is not providing proof of identity. Our turnaround times don’t start until we receive your proof of identity documents.

When providing documents, you must get your copies certified by an authorised person(opens in a new window). We can’t accept uncertified copies or photos of documents, and it will result in delays.

This helps ensure we only release personal information to those with a genuine right to receive it. This keeps the personal information of Victorians accurate and secure.

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