Customer Identification

Why do I need to prove my identity?

Whether you're a new or existing customer, we must verify your identity when you open a new account. This is so that we can meet UK money laundering regulations to help stop criminals from using financial products or services for their own benefit. We will only ask for enough information to allow us to open your account.

What do I need to provide?

We may be able to check your identity electronically by using reference agencies to search sources of information relating to you (an Identity search); this search will not affect your credit rating. We may also ask you to provide paper ID evidence. If we do ask, please provide original items as we are not able to accept statements or bills printed from the internet.

Existing customers - we'll tell you if you need to provide evidence of your name and address once we've received your application.

New customers: - you must provide evidence of your identity when making this application.

Identification needed for children

Please take the evidence we need to see to a branch (please do not post passports);

Child aged over seven if the account is in only the child's name

Evidence we need to see
Valid full UK passport: OR
Original birth certificate, adoption certificate or valid Non-UK passport And A gas, electricity or phone bill (this must be less than three months old and not for a mobile phone) from a parent or guardian

Child aged under 16 and an adult is named on the account

Evidence we need to see
Valid full UK passport: OR
Original birth certificate, adoption certificate or valid Non-UK passport

Identification needed for adults

UK and European Economic Area Nationals

Please take one document from the UK Photo ID List to a branch (please do not post in);

UK Photo ID

Evidence we need to see
Valid full UK passport
Valid full UK photocard driving licence

Or we can accept one document from the Proof of Name list and one document from the Proof of Current Address list if you're applying in a branch or returning your documents to us by post.

Proof of Name

Evidence we need to see	Applying in branch	Applying by post
Valid full UK driving licence (old style paper)	Yes	No
Valid full EEA passport or EU member state ID card	Yes	No
UK-based bank or building society statement (which must be less than three months old) with debit, credit or cheque guarantee card. Don't send this by post	Yes	No
UK-based bank or building society statement (which must be less than three months old)	No	Yes
Letter from Benefits Agency (which must be less than 12 months old)	Yes	Yes
Birth or adoption certificate (under 18's only)	Yes	Yes

Proof of Current Address

Evidence we need to see	Applying in branch	Applying by post
Mortgage statement (must be less than 12 months old)	Yes	Yes
Gas or electricity bill (must be less than three months old)	Yes	Yes
Phone bill (not mobile) (must be less than three months old)	Yes	Yes
Water bill (must be less than 12 months old)	Yes	Yes
Council tax bill (must be less than 12 months old)	Yes	Yes

Important note

We'll return any documents you send to us within seven days. If we cannot check your identity, we will not be able to continue with your application.

Non European Economic Area Nationals

If you don't come from the European Economic Area, we may ask you to provide your passport and proof of current address for ID purposes.

Further help

If you cannot produce any of the documents from the tables, please contact your local branch as there may be other forms of identification you can use.

Thank you for helping to stop financial crime.