This is exactly why we encourage requesters to send certified copies. The risk of an original going missing just seems too high (in that we've had it occur) even with recorded or special delivery.
That said, we would (and have) arrange alternative methods of confirmation if the requester was reluctant or unable, to send any ID through the post. For example an email/letter (on headed paper of course) from a verifiable professional e.g. a social worker, GP, solicitor etc.
As an example we recently worked with a solicitor in eastern Europe to confirm the identity of a requester living there who had no acceptable documents.
Ultimately, your organisation has to weigh up the risks, of document loss or ID fraud, against the need to enable access. If they've done that they should be able to be confident that if something does go wrong they've have done all that can be reasonably expected to prevent or mitigate the issue.
Andrew Goodfellow-Swaap
Senior Information Officer
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