Digital ID Check – Information & Process
What is the Digital ID check, and why must I complete one?
The government requires all UK employers to conduct an Identity/Right-to-work check for new employees. As your employer, SmartWork must legally perform these checks. The Home Office has provided guidelines for these checks, including recent updates for situations where a remote check is necessary due to the inability to conduct an ‘in-person’ verification of an individual’s documents. For further details on IDVT, please refer to the Government Guidance.
We partnered with TrustID, a Government-approved identity service provider (IDSP) for IDVT (Identification Document Validation Technology).
What is the ID-checking process?
After you complete your registration with SmartWork, TrustID will send you an email. This email will contain a unique link you need to click to proceed with your ID check.
To complete this check, you will need a mobile phone with both a front- and rear-facing camera. TrustID will guide you through the following steps on your device:
Step 1 – Opening the link
Open the email on your mobile phone and tap the link. This will open the ID check in your browser and guide you through a series of initial questions.
Step 2 – Taking a photo of your ID
If you have a UK or Irish passport, select ‘yes’ when prompted and use your rear-facing camera to capture a clear photo of the entire photo ID page in your passport. Make sure all information, including any numbers at the top and bottom, is visible. Also, make sure the photo is clear, with no blurriness or glare. If you need help, please visit this guide provided by TrustID.
Step 3 – Share code (if applicable)
If you do not have a UK or Irish passport, select ‘no’ when prompted instead. TrustID will then ask you to enter a share code to verify your online right-to-work status using the government’s share code system. If you need to generate a new share code, you can do so directly on the Home Office website.
A share code is usually valid for 90 days and consists of 9 alphanumeric characters. For Right to Work checks, it starts with a W. SmartWork requires this code to start the onboarding process.
Employers can access the Home Office online checking service and use the share code, along with an applicant’s date of birth, to check details of their Right to Work in the UK, including any restrictions, for example, on the hours an applicant can work or the type of work they can do.
Step 4 – Taking a selfie
You will now be prompted to take a ‘selfie’ to confirm your identity in relation to your documents. This will involve taking a photo using your front-facing camera. Please ensure that you are in a well-lit area and capture a clear photo of your face. Click here to visit TrustID’s guide on taking a successful selfie.
Step 5 – Entering your address
TrustID will then ask you to enter your address. Enter your postcode and select your address from the drop-down list. If your address doesn’t appear, try including or excluding spaces in your postcode (e.g., change BS1 2NT to BS12NT).
After completing all the steps, you have finished the process.
TrustID will now verify the information you provided through its verification systems. SmartWork will be notified of the results, typically within 1 hour. We will inform you if everything is verified or if further action is required.