Where possible we will verify ID electronically. If this is not possible the following will apply:
All cases must have proof of Identification and Residency provided and certified
Acceptable proof of ID;
- Current full UK/European passport a British Visitors passport is not acceptable)
- Current full or provisional UK photo card driving licence.
- Current full UK driving licence (old version). Old style provisional driving licences are not accepted.
- Inland Revenue Tax Notification/Demand/Assessment (less than 12 months old).
- Letter from the Benefits Agency confirming entitlement to benefits or state pension (less than 12 months old).
- Firearms certificate or Shot Gun certificate.
Acceptable proof of residency;
- Local Authority tax bill or statement (valid for the current year)
- Utility bill or statement (under 3 months old) (current year for water bills) (mobile phone statement and internet prints are not accepted).
- Bank/Building Society/National Savings/Credit Union statement dated within the last 3 months – including Current; Savings or Loan statement (Not mortgage or credit card). Internet prints are not accepted. Statements printed in branch, stamped by the issuing branch, are acceptable.
- Current full or provisional UK photo card driving licence (if not used to verify as ID).
- Current full UK driving licence (old version). Old style provisional driving licences are not accepted (if not used to verify as ID).
- Inland Revenue Tax Notification/Demand/Assessment (less than 12 months old) (if not used to verify as ID).
- Letter from the Benefits Agency confirming entitlement to benefits or state pension (less than 12 months old) (if not used to verify ID).
Where a customer has recently changed their name through marriage; divorce or by deed poll and provides ID in their old name and wants the account opened in the new name – we will accept ID in their old name with satisfactory evidence of their change of name e.g. marriage certificate; decree absolute; deed poll etc.). The photo ID must be certified, with the additional confirmation that the photo is a true likeness of the applicant.
If the customer has lived at their current address for less than 3 months, we will require proof of residency for the new and previous address they must also provide 1 additional item from the residency verification list above to show their previous address and this address must be included in the ID searches
ID Verification for Ex-Pats:
- ID must be certified by someone in their country of residence by one of the following acceptable persons:
- British Embassy or Consulate;
- High Commission;
- Notary public
- Solicitor.
Each certified copy must be signed and appear with the full name, qualification, job title, address and telephone number and date of certification.
The certification must be as follows: ‘I confirm that I have seen the original document’ and any photo should be confirmed as ‘a good likeness of the applicant.’
For Ex-Pats we require a certified copy of their current, signed British Passport.
We are unable to accept an overseas driving licence for ID or address verification.
A broker can only certify documents if they have seen the met the applicant face to face and seen the documents at the same time.