Help For EU Citizens Staying in Perth

EU* citizens and their family members in Perth and Kinross are now able to benefit from a new ID document scanning service being provided by Perth & Kinross Council as part of its pledge to help support EU citizens with their EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) applications.

This new service based at Perth Registrars' Office (3/5 High Street, Perth, PH1 5JS) will allow EU citizens and their family members to use the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app, which is available on both Android phones and iPhone devices 7 or above, to scan and verify their valid biometric passports, ID cards or UK-issued biometric residence cards.Perth is one of several locations around Scotland where the free scanning service is now available.

Perth is one of several locations around Scotland where the free scanning service is now available. However, individuals can apply to the EUSS using any laptop or mobile device and the app is entirely optional. It is just one of several ways people can verify their identity including by post.

Following the UK’s exit from the EU, there is a requirement for all EU citizens and their family members to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme if they wish to access the same rights and entitlements as they currently have. EUSS is free of charge and only requires three key steps – to check identity, prove residence and to declare any criminal convictions.

Applicants will need to remember to take ID documents for every family member making an application so that they can be scanned. Every applicant will also have a digital photograph taken by a council member of staff. No appointment is required to use the ID document scanning service at Perth Registrars' Office, which is open 8.45am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Council Leader, Councilor Murray Lyle, said: "We want to make sure that all our EU residents who want to apply can overcome any potential obstacles they face in getting their ID verified, by providing this service in a local setting. The process is very quick and easy, so I would encourage EU citizens to use the service if other methods are unsuitable."

A list of all ID document scanner services nationwide is available on the government website.

*'EU citizens' refers to EU, other EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family members who have until 30 June 2021 to apply.