What you'll need to open your account
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. To open a new account, simply visit one of our branches with original documentary proof of your identity and your address. This should be one item from the Identification Table and one item from the Address Verification Table below. Please note that you can't use the same item to confirm both your name and address.
Identification Table - you will need one of the following
Current signed passport
EU National ID card
Current full UK photocard driving licence
Current full UK Driving Licence (old paper style version)
Original HM Revenue & Customs issued tax notification and correspondence
Construction industry - Tax exemption certificate with photograph of holder (forms CIS4, CIS6)
Student Identification / Matriculation card (from a recognised University or College) - must be valid for current academic year
Firearms or shotgun certificate
Identity Card issued by the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland
Letter from the Benefits Agency (including Dept for Work & Pensions) and / or Job Centre Plus sent to the customer confirming rights to benefits at present, Benefits Book or equivalent.
UK Armed forces ID card
Police Warrant Card
Disabled Driver's Pass / Disabled Parking Permit
OAP Travel Pass
For 20 Years old and under
NHS Medical Card
Birth Certificate
UK Photocard Provisional Driving Licence
Pass Card (Young Scot, CitizenCard, Portman Group, Validate UK Card)
Address Table - you will also need one of the following
Council Tax Bill or payment book (within last 12 months)
Utility Bill - within last 6 months (mobile phone bills, internet access bills are not acceptable)
Current full UK photocard driving licence
Current full UK driving licence (old style paper licence)
Bank / Building society / credit card statement (within last 6 months)
Original mortgage statement (no more than 12 months old)
Solicitors letter confirming recent house purchase or Land Registry confirmation
Letter from the Benefits Agency (Including Dept for Work and Pensions) and / or Job Centre Plus sent to the customer confirming rights to benefits at present.
Original HM Revenue & Customs issued tax notification and correspondence
Current home / motor / motorcycle / boat insurance certificate or policy
Current Local Council rent card or tenancy agreement
For Students
University / College letter of Acceptance / Enrolment Offer
Student Loan Company / LEA/SAAS Award letter
UCAS Letter
Introduction from a recognised UK College / University
For 20 Years old and under
UK provisional photocard driving licence.
Existing customers
For existing customers one of the following is also acceptable, in addition to an item from the Identification Table:
Recent NatWest statement
Sight of cheque/cheque card which has been sent to current address, issued within last 6 months
If you are unable to meet these requirements, please speak to your Business Manager who will provide further assistance.
Additional Documentation
Additional documentation may be required from various types of business. We will be able to give you more information on this when required.
