Client intake and KYC document collection for law firms
DocAsker handles client intake and KYC document collection for law firms. You send each client one secure link with a checklist for photo ID, proof of address, company ownership records and a signed engagement letter. Every upload is checked by AI as it arrives, and every upload, check and download is logged, so you have a record of what was received and when.
Where client intake slows down
Matters wait on KYC
You cannot open a matter or accept funds until identity documents are in order. A missing utility bill or an expired ID can hold up work the client is waiting for.
Proof of address that is too old
Your policy asks for a document from the last 3 months, and the client sends one from last year. Spotting it means reading every date by hand, for every director and beneficial owner.
No clear record of what arrived
Documents come in by email, by post and across the desk. When a file review asks what you received and when, piecing it together from inboxes is slow.
What DocAsker checks during client intake
ID expiry
DocAsker reads the expiry date on passports and ID cards. Your client sees: "This ID card expired on May 12, 2025. Please upload a current passport or ID card."
Proof of address date
Set the item to accept documents issued in the last 3 months. Your client sees: "This bill is dated November 2025. Please upload a utility bill or bank statement from the last 3 months."
An accepted document type
DocAsker confirms the file is the kind of document you asked for. Your client sees: "This looks like a phone contract, which is not on the accepted list. Please upload a utility bill or bank statement."
Signed and complete authority documents
Engagement letters and powers of attorney need every page and every signature. Your client sees: "Page 4 of the power of attorney is missing. Please upload all pages, including the signed last page."
Documents law firms collect for client intake and KYC
KYC document checklist for law firm client intake- Passport or national ID card
- Proof of address from the last 3 months
- Signed engagement letter
- Certificate of incorporation
- Register of directors
- Register of shareholders or beneficial owners
- Photo ID for each director and beneficial owner
- Source of funds evidence
- Signed power of attorney
- Board resolution authorizing the instruction
- Trust deed for trust clients
How law firms use DocAsker for intake
1Set up your KYC checklist
Start from the KYC document checklist and match it to your firm's policy. KYC and anti-money-laundering rules vary by country and regulator, so confirm which documents you need and set the dates each item must meet.
2Send the link at engagement
Send the link alongside your engagement letter. Clients upload from a phone or computer without an account, and can come back to the same link while they gather documents from each director.
3Review only what passed
Expired IDs, old bills and unsigned pages go back to the client with the reason. Your team sees accepted files and anything flagged for a person to review.
4Keep a record
Every upload, check and download is logged, and the Firm plan lets you export the audit log. You decide how long files are kept and can delete a request and its files at any time.
Frequently asked questions
Do clients need an account to upload KYC documents?
No. Clients open the link on any phone or computer and upload without an account, password or app. They can photograph an ID with the phone camera or upload PDFs, and return to the same link later to finish.
Where do client identity documents go, and are they secure?
Files are encrypted in transit (TLS) and at rest, and stored in your DocAsker workspace or filed to Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive on Pro and Firm. Links can expire or be revoked at any time, and every upload, check and download is logged. DocAsker helps you meet your data-protection obligations, and a data processing agreement is available on request.
Does DocAsker verify a client's identity?
No. DocAsker checks that each document is the one you asked for, readable, in date, signed where needed and complete. Identity verification and the decision to take on a client stay with your firm and its compliance process.
Which documents do law firms need for KYC?
It depends on your jurisdiction, your regulator and the client. A typical list covers photo ID, proof of address from the last 3 months and, for companies, director and ownership records. Treat the checklist as a starting point and confirm it against your firm's policy.
Can I export a record of what was checked?
Yes, on the Firm plan. Every upload, check and download is logged on all plans, and the Firm plan adds audit log export along with team seats and permissions.
Other industries
Send your first request in a few minutes
Start from the checklist for your industry, add your client’s email and let DocAsker check every upload and send the reminders. Free for 14 days, no card required.