CRO Ends Remote VIF Witnessing: In-Person Verification Required from 30 April 2026 Onwards
CRO ends remote VIF witnessing effective 30 April 2026. All director and beneficial owner identity verifications must now be witnessed in person. Updated VIF form required.
The CRO has announced that Verification of Identity Forms (VIFs) can no longer be witnessed via remote or online means from midnight on 30 April 2026. All VIFs must now be witnessed with the declarant and witness physically present in the same room. The CRO cited concerns about the integrity of online witnessing.
The VIF is used to obtain an Identified Person Number (IPN) from the CRO; mandatory for any director of an Irish company who does not hold an Irish PPSN. An updated VIF Form is now mandatory for all submissions from 30 April onwards.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
Immediately audit pending director appointments and company formations requiring VIF completion by non-PPSN directors. Arrange in-person witnessing, either practising solicitors (Ireland) or notaries public (outside Ireland). Download and use only the updated VIF Form published by the CRO after 29 April. For international clients, communicate immediately and factor additional lead time into director appointment schedules.