Proving your identity

If you are under 18

If you are under 18, we will need to see either your birth certificate or passport together with a document to confirm your address such as a bank statement (this could be in the name of a parent or guardian living at the same address if not available in your name). The document to confirm your address is not required if a nominee is registered on the account. These documents need to be originals, not photocopies, and they will be returned to you as quickly as possible. 

If you are required to provide additional identification

We will ask you to provide two original documents to verify your name and address, one from each list below. Certified copies of identification are accepted by post. 

Sending certified identification in the post

We don’t recommend sending valuable original documents such as a passport or driving licence through the post. You can visit one of our branches and agencies.   

We accept documents certified by one of the following: 

• Solicitor  
• Accountant 
• Bank/building society official 
• Independent Financial Advisor 
• Post Office official 
• Minister of a recognised religion 
• Doctor 
• Dentist 
• Police Officer  

The person certifying the documents should be in current employment, based in the UK, and must not be related to any person named on the account. Certified copies must include their full name, profession, business address and telephone number. The words ‘certified true copy’ must be written or stamped on the documents, which must then be signed and dated (within the last 3 months) by the certifying party. 

Business and Deposit Accounts

Due to the nature of Business and Deposit Accounts, we also require the following additional documentation depending on the type of account you wish to open. 

Business Deposit Account

We need to confirm the identity of each authorised signatory operating the account.

• We use an electronic verification system when opening an account. If this is successful, you will not need to do anything. However, in certain cases you will be asked to provide additional proof of identity (for example if you are not listed on the electoral roll or you have recently moved house).

• A Board Resolution on company headed paper authorising named signatories to open the account.
• A list of all the Directors and any senior persons responsible for its operations, including
  names, titles, addresses, dates of birth and nationalities.
• Name of any persons of significant control, including those who own or control over
  25% of the company shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercise control over the
  management of the company, or significant influence or control over the company. We
  need to confirm the identity of any individuals listed who are not authorised signatories
  on the account and will do this using electronic verification if authorisation is provided on
  the application form.
• We will verify the identity of the company with a search at Companies House.

For Sole Traders

• Bank statement in the business name or ‘trading as’ – dated within the last 3 months
• Letterhead, invoice, or business card if available

For Partnerships

• Partnership agreement or articles
• Bank statement in the business name – dated within the last 3 months

Charity Accounts

• A Resolution authorising named signatories to open the account. The Resolution must include the full names of all signatories and be signed by an official of the charity.
• We need to confirm the identity of each authorised signatory operating the account. We use an electronic verification system when opening an account. If this is successful, you will not need to do anything. However, in certain cases you will be asked to provide additional proof of identity (for example if you are not listed on the electoral roll or you have recently moved house).

For Incorporated charities only

• A list of all the Directors and any senior persons responsible for its operations, including names, titles, addresses, dates of birth and nationalities.
• Name of individuals who own or control over 25% of the company shares or voting rights, or who otherwise exercise control over the management of the company, or otherwise exercise significant influence or control over the company (persons of significant control). We need to confirm the identity of any individuals listed who are not authorised signatories on the account and will do this using electronic verification if authorisation is provided on the application form.
• We will also verify the identity of the company with a search at Companies House and the relevant Charity Commission.

Treasurer’s Accounts

• A Resolution authorising named signatories to open the account. The Resolution must include the full names of all signatories, and be signed by an official of the organisation.

Additional information

We reserve the right to request further documentation during the life of the account should we require this to meet our legal obligations.

If you need any further guidance on proving your identity, please contact us using the details below.