Two people smile while sitting at a table with laptops, engaged in a conversation or work session.

Authorised Signatory application guide

What is the Authorised Signatory application process?

To enable an organisation to sponsor and submit Airport ID pass applications, at least one individual must be approved as an Authorised Signatory.

An Authorised Signatory is only approved once they've passed full vetting, completed required training, and demonstrated the ability to sponsor applications responsibly.

They must be based in the UK, and can't be the same person as the Nominated Officer.

Application process steps

Step 1 - Appointing an Authorised Signatory

Every authorised MAG airport organisation must have at least one Authorised Signatory. The first person who applies becomes the organisations initial Authorised Signatory.

Once an Initial Authorised Signatory has been appointed and onboarded, the Nominated Officer can then appoint additional Authorised Signatory’s.

Step 2 - Complete the security vetting process

Every Authorised Signatory that is appointed to the authorised MAG airport organisation must undergo at least a background check, including:

5‑year employment referencing (with no unexplained gaps)
Identity check
Criminal Record Check (CRC), including overseas where applicable

These checks must meet the MAG Standard.

Step 3 - Submit the Authorised Signatory application

Once an Authorised Signatory has been identified and completed security vetting, they will need to complete an application via the MAG application submission system. If it's the organisations initial Authorised Signatory, they'll have been given access to the system as part of the Sponsor Company set up process. If the organisation has more than one Authorised Signatory, then any of them will be able to submit applications for other Authorised Signatory’s.

They'll be required to include:

Personal and business details
5‑year employment referencing (with no unexplained gaps)
Identity check
Criminal Record Check (CRC)
Overseas checks where applicable

Step 4 - Demonstrate suitability

The appointed Authorised Signatory will be assessed to make sure they're:

A suitable person for the role
Able to make risk-based organisational sponsorship decisions

They're also responsible for confirming that applicants:

Have a legitimate need to access the airport
Meet all security requirements as stated in the MAG Standard

Step 5 - Attend Authorised Signatory training

Once the application has been submitted, reviewed and approved, the Authorised Signatory will need to book in their signatory training. The training covers:

ID Pass rules
Responsibilities and compliance
Use of the Application Submission system
Common application rejection reasons

The training is mandatory and must be completed before final approval is given.

Step 6 - Ability to create and submit ID Pass applications

Once they've successfully attended their training, the signatory will be granted access to submit applications on the application submission system. They can then create and submit ID Pass applications, as well as manage access and applications.