Virtual Client Identity Verification for Lawyers: Why a Video Call Alone Isn’t Enough
Virtual client meetings are now common in Canadian law firms. A client joins a Zoom or Teams call, shows their driver's licence to the camera, and the lawyer compares the photo with the person on screen.
Is that enough to complete identity verification?
Not necessarily.
For lawyers and paralegals subject to the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) requirements, simply viewing a client and their government-issued photo ID virtually is not sufficient when using the virtual verification method. Since January 1, 2024, the LSO requires a process or method to authenticate the identification document.
The Myth: “I saw the ID. Verification complete.”
Seeing an ID on screen allows you to visually inspect it.
Authentication is different.
The LSO describes authentication as using a process or method to determine whether the government-issued photo ID is true and genuine. After authentication, the lawyer must still confirm that the document is valid and current and use it to confirm the client's identity.
Think of it this way:
See the client → Authenticate the ID → Confirm the identity
A video call is only one part of the process.
Why Does Authentication Matter?
Remote meetings make client intake convenient, but seeing an ID through a camera does not automatically establish that the document is genuine.
The LSO notes that authentication helps manage risks such as identity fraud and synthetic identity theft.
That's why:
“I saw the ID” ≠ “I authenticated the ID.”
Where Does Technology Help?
The LSO recognizes that technology can assist with authentication. Depending on the verification method, technology may assess features, security elements or other markers of an identification document.
For law firms handling remote client intake, a digital workflow can make these steps easier to organize.
With uLaw
uLaw helps streamline virtual identity verification through a digital verification workflow, bringing the process into the broader digital client-intake workflow.
Technology doesn't replace the lawyer's professional responsibility. It can simply help make the workflow more structured and manageable.
A Quick Check for Lawyers
If you're verifying a client remotely, ask:
- Does this matter require verification?
- Which verification method am I using?
- How am I authenticating the ID?
- How am I confirming it is valid and current?
- Have I recorded the required verification details?
The Bottom Line
A video call is not, by itself, an authentication method.
Seeing your client and their ID on screen is different from authenticating that ID and confirming the client's identity.
For firms using remote client intake, a structured digital workflow can help keep the process organized.
See the client. Authenticate the ID. Confirm the identity.
Educational Disclaimer: This article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal or professional advice or a definitive interpretation of the LSO's Rules, By-Laws or requirements. Requirements may change and may vary depending on the circumstances. Lawyers and paralegals should refer to their applicable Law Society's current Rules, By-Laws and guidance.