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Required ID

Why do we need to see your ID?

When you open a new account with us, we are required by law to ask you to prove who you are and where you live. This is to comply with money laundering regulations and to help stop criminals using financial products or services to move money around.

These security checks apply to both new and existing customers. As well as fulfilling our legal responsibility, we aim to help combat financial crime and protect you from criminals who might otherwise falsely use your name, without your knowledge.

How you can help

If you have an existing current account with another bank or building society, please bring your Debit/Credit card with you as this can speed up the identification process. It may also help to provide your most recent account statement.

If you are applying for a student account, please supply three months' full bank statements.

For a current account with a debit card or overdraft facility, you may also need to provide proof of your income, for example, your most recent bank statement or three months' salary slips.

Don't have the right documents?

If you can't provide one item from each list, give us a call on 0800 200 400 (Minicom 0800 917 0526) to find out if there are any other documents we may be able to accept to open your new account. Lines are open Mon to Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm (excluding bank holidays).

How to open your account

Your application pack will contain your switching form and will detail the documents we need you to provide.

You can provide this documentation in one of two ways:

  • You can visit your nearest branch where your documents will be validated & certified
  • You can post the required documents to us by return with the application pack we will shortly send you in the post

As we accept a wider range of ID in branch, including both a full UK driving licence and current signed passport but do not accept these via post, most customers find it easier to complete the account opening process in branch.

BRANCH Only

Documents you can take to a branch to confirm your identity and address.

Confirming your identity

Table A – One document required
To confirm your identity please provide one item from Table A below.
Item must display your full name.
Acceptable items – one item only Important notes
Common ID (Branch only)
  • Current signed passport
  • Current full UK driving licence
  • EU national ID card
  • Non EU Nationals must provide a passport with a valid visa
  • UK armed forces ID card
  • Disabled driver’s pass
- We can accept these forms of ID in branch but we cannot accept these via post, so please do not send these to us
HM Revenue and Customs
  • Notification – Coding or Demand
  • Disabled Persons Tax Credit
  • National Insurance Contributions Account Statement
 - Tax notifications and correspondence must be either less than 6 months old or dated within current (April to April) financial year
- P60s, P45s and NI Number Confirmation Letters are not acceptable
Benefits Agency – Notification
  • Child Benefit
  • Working/Child Tax Credit
  • Pension
  • Disability
  • Income Support
  • Incapacity Benefit
- Benefit Agency notifications must have been issued within the last 12 months and be valid for current or future benefits
- Please note that benefits documents are valid for the addressee only and are not acceptable identification for other parties named within the course of the document
Under 20s Only
  • Birth Certificate
  • NHS Medical Card
- Should only be used if none of the above are available

Confirming your address

Table B – One document required
To confirm your address, please provide one item from Table B below.
Items must show your current address.
Acceptable items - one item only Important notes
Statement
  • Bank
  • Building Society
  • Credit Card
  • Mortgage
 - Statements should be no more than 6 months old
- Mortgage summary statement should be no more than 12 months old
Household Bills
  • Utilities (e.g. gas, electricity, water, telephone, cable services & satellite TV)
 - Bills should be no more than 6 months old
- Mobile phone bills & TV licences are not acceptable
Local Authority
  • Council Tax Bill or Demand
  • Rent Book/Card
- All items should be no more than 12 months old and be valid either for the current financial year or the one immediately upcoming

POST Only

Documents you can post back to us to confirm your identity and address.

Confirming your identity

Table A – One document required
To confirm your identity please provide one item from Table A below.
Item must display your full name.
Acceptable items – one item only Important notes
HM Revenue and Customs
  • Tax Notification – Coding or Demand
  • Disabled Persons Tax Credit
  • National Insurance Contributions Account Statement
 - Tax notifications and correspondence must be either less than 6 months old or dated within current (April to April) financial year
- P60s, P45s and NI Number Confirmation Letters are not acceptable
Benefits Agency – Notification
  • Child Benefit
  • Working/Child Tax Credit
  • Pension
  • Disability
  • Income Support
  • Incapacity Benefit
- Benefit Agency notifications must have been issued within the last 12 months and be valid for current or future benefits
- Please note that benefits documents are valid for the addressee only and are not acceptable identification for other parties named within the course of the document
Under 20s Only
  • Birth Certificate
  • NHS Medical Card
- Should only be used if none of the above are available

Confirming your address

Table B – One document required
To confirm your address, please provide one item from Table B below.
Items must show your current address.
Acceptable items - one item only Important notes
Statement
  • Bank
  • Building Society
  • Credit Card
  • Mortgage
- Statements should be no more than 6 months old
- Mortgage summary statement should be no more than 12 months old
Household Bills
  • Utilities (e.g. gas, electricity, water, telephone, cable services & satellite TV)
 - Bills should be no more than 6 months old
- Mobile phone bills & TV licences are not acceptable
Local Authority
  • Tax Bill or Demand
  • Rent Book/Card
- All items should be no more than 12 months old and be valid either for the current financial year or the one immediately upcoming
Dividend
  • Cheque
  • Tax Voucher
- Must be payable to yourself with address confirmed on the counterfoil/voucher and no more than 6 months old

Document Guideline

  • Please provide originals only. We cannot accept photocopies and items printed from the internet including bank statements.
  • Individual items can only be used once, either for Table A or Table B but not both.
  • We will return your documentation once we’ve processed your application.
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Apply now

  • Call to book an appointment or speak to an advisor
    0800 200 400

    Minicom
    0800 917 0526

Lines are open: Mon to Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm (excl. public holidays).
Calls may be recorded.