Overview
When a client completes a Proof of Address verification in Legl, the check returns one of two results: Clear or Consider. This article explains what each result means, why you might see it, and what action (if any) is required.
Where you will see this
Results appear in the Client Due Diligence (CDD) report, which you can access by navigating to Engage → Individuals and selecting the relevant client.
The result shows automatically once the client has uploaded their document and the verification has completed.
Results are returned in real time in most cases.
The report includes an overall result as well as a breakdown across four data categories.
What the results mean
Each verification checks the uploaded document against four data points:
Data Comparison – Does the name and address on the document match the client's submitted details?
Document Classification – Is the document type supported and within the required date range?
Image Integrity – Is the image quality sufficient for verification?
Source Integrity – Are there any signs of tampering or forgery?
Each category returns either Clear or Consider. The overall result reflects the outcome across all four categories.
Clear
The document has passed all four checks. It is genuine, recent, readable, and matches the client's submitted details.
Consider
One or more checks could not be completed successfully. This does not necessarily mean the document is fraudulent — it means the result requires your review before proceeding. The report will specify which data points returned a Consider result.
Common reasons you might see a Consider result
The document type is not supported for the client's country or jurisdiction
The document is expired or outside the accepted date range
The name or address on the document does not match the client's submitted details
The image quality is insufficient for the verification to complete
There are signs of digital tampering or image manipulation
The client uploaded a scan or photo of a printed document rather than an original
What you need to do
If the result is Clear: No action is required. The verification is complete and the result is stored in the CDD report for your audit trail.
If the result is Consider: Review the detailed breakdown in the CDD report to understand which check failed. You may then:
Request additional evidence from the client by sending a new Engage request
Add a comment to record your assessment and decision
Approve the result manually if you are satisfied the document is genuine
All decisions and comments are logged in the audit trail.
What happens next
Clear results are stored automatically in the CDD report and do not require further action.
If you request a new document, the client will receive a new Engage request link to upload an alternative.
Your firm is responsible for reviewing Consider results and determining whether additional evidence is required.
Coverage and document types
Proof of Address Verification is supported across 80+ countries. Accepted document types and date requirements vary by jurisdiction. Clients select their country and are shown the document types available to them.
Documents are accepted in all languages and scripts, including Cyrillic, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. Both digital and scanned originals are accepted where appropriate.
UK clients are additionally cross-checked against the UK Electoral Register. All other checks are performed on the document itself.
Compliance and storage
Proof of Address Verification supports AML compliance but should be used alongside other CDD checks (ID verification, Source of Funds, PEPs/Sanctions screening, etc.).
It cannot be used to meet Companies House (ACSP) requirements, which require a full 12-month address history. A custom workflow is recommended for this purpose.
All results, including original documents, are included in the downloadable CDD report.
Data is stored securely for 7 years in line with Legl's retention policy, unless a deletion is requested.
This feature does not affect NFC compliance.
Firms cannot customise which document types are accepted — acceptance rules follow jurisdiction-specific standards.
Important information
Important
Legl does not make compliance or legal decisions. Your firm is responsible for reviewing results and determining next steps.
A Consider result does not mean a document is fraudulent — it means further review is required.
Clients cannot be verified without uploading a document. Instant or hidden verification is not supported.
Verification results cannot be overridden by Legl Support.
Supported issuing countries and document types
Group A: Andorra, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Jersey, Monaco, San Marino, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Group B: Canada, European Economic Area (excluding Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria), New Zealand
Group C: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Cayman Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vietnam
Document | Group A | Group B | Group C |
Bank Statement or Building Society Statement | Last 3 months | Last 6 months | Last 6 months |
Utility Bill (electricity, water, gas, broadband, landline) | Last 3 months | Last 6 months | Last 6 months |
Local Government Tax Letter | Last 1 year | Last 6 months | Kenya only |
Benefits Letter (e.g. Job Seeker Allowance, Housing Benefit, Tax Credits) | Last 1 year | Last 6 months | — |
Mortgage Statement | Last 1 year | Last 1 year | — |
Mobile Phone Bill | — | Last 6 months | Singapore only |
General Letter (financial institution or utility company) | — | Last 6 months | — |
Insurance Statement or Brokerage Statement | — | Last 6 months | — |
Pension Statement/Letter or Property Tax Statement/Letter | — | Last 1 year | — |
Identity Document with Address | Supported | Supported | — |
Address Certificate | — | Hungary only | Turkey only |
Exchange House Statement | — | — | United Arab Emirates only – last 6 months |
Accommodation or Tenancy Certificate | — | Last 6 months | Last 6 months |