Recognising Fraudulent Identity Documents

With the rise in document fraud, verifying the authenticity of identity documents is vital. For UK employers and registered sponsors, it is a requirement to ensure that individuals under your employment or sponsorship hold genuine documentation. Failure to do so can result in serious compliance breaches and liability for illegal working.

The Home Office has recently released updated guidance to help organisations identify fraudulent documents and strengthen right to work checks. This blog summarises the key points from that guidance to help you stay compliant and protect your business.

What Types of Documents Should You Check?

The most commonly used identity documents include UK and foreign passports, Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), Application Registration Cards (ARCs), immigration status documents and national ID cards.

Employers must ensure these are checked in person and in original form, in conjunction with approved digital verification systems.

• Poor-quality printing or inconsistent fonts
• Photographs that appear glued on or tampered with
• Laminates that are bubbling, peeling or look recently replaced 
• Misspelled words or incorrect English
• Missing or damaged watermarks, holograms or embossed features
• Inconsistencies between the document and the individual presenting it (age, appearance, signature) 

Although not legally required, many organisations use tools like magnifiers or lights to detect altered or forged features as best practice.

What to Look Out For In Specific Documents:

Passports 

Check that the photo page is intact, the photo matches the individual and the security features (e.g. holograms, watermarks) are present and undamaged.

BRPs and ARCs:

Confirm that the photograph matches the holder and that biographical data align with other documentation. Pay attention to any conditions printed on the card (e.g. “no work”, “restricted work” or “limited leave”). 

Using Checklists and Technology

The Home Office provides two official checklists under their guidance on examining identity documents to assist with document validation. These outline the expected security features for various identity documents and offer guidance on spotting irregularities.

Regularly reviewing these checklists during onboarding or right to work checks can help you build a standardised, defensible process.

Employers may also benefit from using Identity Document Validation Technology (IDVT), which can analyse document templates and flag potential issues more efficiently than a visual check alone. Using certified providers can significantly improve accuracy and reduce the likelihood of human error during checks. 

What to Do If You Suspect Fraud

If a document appears to be fraudulent or tampered with:

• Do not confront the individual
• Consult reference tools such as PRADO (Public Register of Authentic Documents Online) and EdisonTD, which offer visual comparisons of genuine documents from across the world.
• If you encounter a suspected false document then contact the police or your local immigration enforcement office.

Useful Links:

Document fraud poses a significant compliance risk for UK employers and sponsors. For more detailed information on examining identity documents, see the full Home Office guidance.

Guidance on examining identity documents (accessible) – GOV.UK