Virtual Identity Verification (IDV) service Provider Chart
As of January 1st, 2024, the Law Society of Ontario requires lawyers who only meet with clients virtually to verify their clients’ identity online by authenticating their identification documents, or using an alternate, approved verification method.
The virtual authentication of identity is done via technology that does multiple searches/verifications of the client’s identity. The Law Society of Ontario refers lawyers to a directory maintained by the Digital Identification and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC).
LAWPRO invited companies listed on the DIACC directory, along with other known vendors, to provide information about the service they provide including costs, onboarding time, turnaround time, process, and privacy. The vendors completed a survey and provided self-asserted information. You will find the responses received to date in the following document, Virtual Identity Verification (IDV) service Provider Chart. We will update this document as we receive more information.
Download Virtual Identity Verification (IDV) Service Provider Chart
If you are a vendor and would like to complete our survey, please submit your responses HERE.
This resource is provided by Lawyer’s Professional Indemnity Company (LAWPRO®). The material presented does not establish, report, or create the standard of care for lawyers. The material is not a complete analysis of any of the topics covered and LAWPRO makes no recommendation, representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information, products, services, contained in the Vendor IDV Response List or on the vendor’s website. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. Readers should conduct their own appropriate due diligence and research.
Title Insurers and Real Estate Software Providers
For real estate lawyers, title insurers have established processes for lawyers to verify their client’s identity and authenticate their identification documents. We understand that Treefort will be used by Stewart Title and TitlePLUS, Bluink by FCT and VerifID by Chicago Title.
Real estate software providers also have secured these services. We understand that Unity, Closer and DealTrack are using Treefort and Realtiweb uses its own.