Do Gardai have to certify copies of AML documentation?

Champ

Alright,
I've heard some interesting tales of Gardai stations refusing to certify anti-money laundering documents like copies of your passport or drivers licenses (which you need to open most bank accounts these days if you can't do it in person).

My question is are they in the right to do it (going to be trying this soon)? The usual response from them if prompted to explain their refusal is that they lack the means to authenticate the documents.

However looking at the Criminal Justice act 1994 -Money Laundering:

57. The following are some of the methods which are considered reasonable measures to
establish evidence of personal identity for non face to face resident customers. In this
regard there are two options and either may be used:
Option One
A certified copy of a passport, drivers licence or identity form verified by Gardai.
Certification of passports/driving licences should be by a suitable person. Suitable
persons include:
- Gardai Siochana/ Police Officers
- Chartered & Certified Public Accountants 17
- Notaries Public/Practising Solicitors
- Embassy /Consular staff
- Designated Bodies in Ireland or from country referred to in paragraph X.

So if they refuse can you argue otherwise stating the Criminal Justice act 1994 without looking like a fool?

ziggie

Bring whatever form of ID you need to be certified and explain what you need. The Garda, in my past experience, will photocopy the ID and certify it to be a true copy of the original.

Marquis de carabas

The Guard doesn't "have" to certify anything.

He might assuming you don't go in demanding it to be done and quoting legislation.

The reality is that they cannot 100% authenticate a document but most will sign it if you have everything in order and plenty of information.

The legislation you quoted is only suggests a method. It would be crazy if it compelled Gardai to certify any document that was thrown in front of them.

workstoomuch

If you are going to quote legislation, ensure that you have the right one, the Criminal Justice Act 1994 is out of date, the anti money laundering legislation was updated in 2010 as a result of the transposition of the 3rd EU Directive - its now the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010.....

nlgbbbblth

Documentation should be certified at any branch of the account opening bank by a bank official.