Summary

A Power of Attorney (POA) is a person legally authorised to act for a client who can't act for themselves, for example because they're incapacitated. In First AML, you add the client and their Power of Attorney to the case as two separate individuals, verify the Power of Attorney, and record why the client couldn't be verified directly.

Note: Users with an Agent Office or Compliance role can follow these steps.


How to set up a Power of Attorney case

Step 1: Create the case

Create the case as normal. Enter the property address, select the office, and select the client's role (for example, Seller). When you're asked how to add the client, select Individuals, not Entity. A Power of Attorney is added as an individual.



Step 2: Add the client and the Power of Attorney

Enter the client first. This is the person who owns, or is buying, the property. Then add the Power of Attorney as a separate individual. Both people are added as individuals, even though the Power of Attorney doesn't own the property.

Step 3: Update the case name

Edit the case name so anyone reviewing it can see the arrangement at a glance, for example, "Jane Citizen, John Smith as Power of Attorney". Both individuals appear on the Manifest tab with their requirements.



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Step 4: Add the Power of Attorney document as a requirement

Click Add requirements and start typing Enduring Power of Attorney. Select it from the list. If your jurisdiction uses a different document to confirm a Power of Attorney, add that document instead. Upload the document as evidence, then click Save and mark the requirement as complete.


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Step 5: Verify the Power of Attorney

Run identity verification on the Power of Attorney as you would for any individual.

Step 6: Mark the client's verification as not needed

The client can't complete verification themselves. Set their identity verification requirement to Not needed.




Step 7: Add a case note

In the Notes tab, record that you couldn't verify the client directly and that you verified their Power of Attorney instead.

Once the Power of Attorney is verified and their authorising document is on file, the case has everything it needs.