Case Studies

Get SIA badge at post office

by Mark Rowe

A new service with the Post Office makes applying for a new SIA licence easier and cheaper, according to the Security Industry Authority. The regulator says that most applicants will no longer need to post their ID documents and supply a photograph, which as the SIA says can be costly and inconvenient.

Applicants fill in their licence application on the SIA website and they are told which identity and other documents to take to a participating UK Post Office to complete their application.

• The Post Office staff check and return the applicant’s documents. They will also take a digital photograph of the applicant, take an electronic version of their signature, and take payment for the application fee.

• The applicant’s photograph and signature are sent to the SIA electronically by the Post Office. The SIA add them to the application information already received and continue with its checks, just as it does today.

The applicant will not be charged by the Post Office for using the service.

The new service will be available alongside existing methods of applying for a licence until early in 2014, when it will replace the paper application form as the way to apply for a new licence.

SIA Director of Service Delivery Stephen McCormick said: “Our new licence application service will make applying for an SIA licence easier and cheaper, reducing the overall cost for the applicant. We are really pleased to launch this new service with the Post Office; this is a crucial step as we move away from a paper based system. The face to face element of the new service will reduce errors, which can cause applications to be rejected, and will help to discourage fraud.”

And Kevin Seller, Head of Government Services at the Post Office said: “We are excited to be introducing this service at the Post Office. Our involvement will reduce application errors and means less cost and inconvenience for applicants who can now keep their identity documents in their possession by having them checked at the Post Office.
“The Post Office currently provides a broad range of government services such as renewing passports, driving licence applications and biometric facilities. We are very pleased to be providing the face to face element of the SIA’s new online licence application service and supporting the delivery of modern digital services on behalf of government.”

More details on how it will work:

Applicants first register on the SIA website at www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk/apply and clicking on the register / log in link. A username and password is e-mailed to them.

The applicant then logs in and fills out their application. At the end they receive an e-mail with an application reference number and are told which identity and other documents to take to one of over 700 participating Post Offices nationwide.

Applicants must keep their application reference number safe as they will not be able to complete an application without it. When the applicant goes to a Post Office, the Post Office check the application reference number and check and immediately return the applicants documents.

The Post Office will capture the applicants photograph and signature digitally and take payment of the application fee. The applicant will not be charged by the Post Office for using the service. The applicant’s photograph and signature are sent to the SIA electronically by the Post Office. The SIA will add them to the application information already received and continue with its checks, as it does today.

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