My company wants to photocopy my passport as part of their security checks. Is this legal?Can I refuse legally

Question

I am concerned about identity theft and misuse of my personal deatils. My company wants to photocopy my passport is this legal. I know it is illegal to photocopy money and some legal documents.

Answer 1

It is illegal to colour photocopy passports and money.

I don;t think it is illegal to copy in B/W and they cannot be used for reproduction. Check that it is B/W and check the governments Passport agency for privacy.

Answer 2

Photocopy Passport

Answer 3

Because of the legal requirement to make sure you are able to work in the UK, you and the company you work for can take a photocopy of the page with your details and the cover.

They can photocopy the passport and driving licence to prove to any subsequent police investigation that they took alll reasonable steps to prove you were entitled to work here.
You can legally refuse for them to photocopy the passport, but if you do they can refuse to give you a job (which they probably will).
All companies do this and are advised to do this by the government.
The passport only proves information you have already given the company on your application form, DOB, full name, place of birth and nationality. Its just a document that says the government knows taht you are entitled to work and live here.
Honestly, if you dont let management at comapnies photocopy the passport then you wont get a job anywhere.

Its perfectly normal and is required for a company to offer you a job.
If it helps, ask them how they store your details and what measures they take to make sure you dont become a a victim of identity theft.
Trouble is, any company you work for will know your name and address, DOB, bank account details and all sorts of other info.
Its all completely normal.

Answer 4

You didn't give the context of this happenning. But basically for international work it is very common for someone to collect your passport details. Often this means a copy of your passport, but in reality it should just mean the details contained on it.

Be careful, some companies specifically use these and other details to conduct identity theft. But if you want the job you have to do it.

One issue is privacy. Companies are restricted legally in terms of what information that can research about you. So you may have some rights, but in reality, if it isn't a government position, they will just find some excuse not to employ you.

Answer 5

They are asking to do this as they have to by law ensure that everyone they employ has the right to work in the UK under the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. There are several other documents which can be produced as acceptable evidence, including National Insurance documents - a list is here: http://policies.salford.ac.uk/display.php?id=310
The employer does not have to photocopy any of these documents - he just needs to make a note in your file that a document has been produced and seen by the employer.

Answer 6

The company has a legal duty not to employ people who do not have a right to work in the UK.

If you have a problem with them taking a photocopy of it and why then tell them They may be able to agree an alternative.

Answer 7

You will find that lots of organisations now a days insist on copies of identification documents before they will deal with you .e.g banks, building societies, solicitors. This is to cover them for money laundering regulations which are required by law.

If you are not happy with your employers having your original passport, you could get your local solicitor to photocopy it for you and then 'certify' it as being a true original.

I would not worry unduly. The only advice I would give, is to make sure that the photocopy is taken in black and white. The Law Society, the governing body for solicitors does not recommend that coloured photo copies are taken of passports just because of a higher risk of forgery. Apparently its much easier to forge a coloured copy than a black and white one.

Answer 8

A security guard does not hold powers of stop and search. You could refuse to be searched and be well within your rights. They cannot detain you either, it's technically false imprisonment. They also cannot make a citizens arrest as to do this you have to have witnessed somebody committing a crime. They have no power. If you refuse a search they might phone the police and they may search you but that is all. I could see why it would irritate you, it shows a clear mistrust between employer and employee. Refuse a search, I think if they called the police the police would be annoyed with the guards for wasting their time. It is your legal right to refuse a search from anybody who is not a police officer, customs officer or immigration officer.

Answer 9

You should call the US State Department and ask them to tell you the law on the point. You could probably call a local office of the Federal Government or even the FBI. They would all have the answer or be able to easily put you in touch with the necessary office.

Your concerns are very valid. Your company already has your SSN, so why is it that they want your Passport?

Until you have a difinitive answer from the US Government, I would suggest turning down any such request.

Answer 10

I am trying to find the answer to almost the same question but my situation does not involve my employer asking for this. However, I would *not do this* if I were you!

It seems to me the big issue is more the fact that they want a *COLOR COPY* than the fact that they want a copy at all. Black and white copy, sounds like they just need to verify who you are but color copy sounds like they will be making fake passports with your name on it!

My situation is I live in the U.S. and want to buy a condo in Mexico and the real estate agent/company in Mexico wants me to give them COLOR COPIES of my passport (including the front cover and back cover, the inside photo & ID info page and the signature page). Asking for a copy is one issue but a color copy?!?

That seems really over the top and has read flags going off in my brain! I've searched and serched for this on the Internet and called several govenrment agrencies trying to get the answer to this question and will post it here if I get any response from any of them.