How to beat ID issues when opening a bank account
Last updated:
13 May 2024
You usually need photo ID to open a bank account, like a passport or driving licence. But you’re not alone if you don’t have the right documents – here’s what you can do.
Is it worth opening a bank account?
A bank account is essential for many as it lets you:
receive your wages, pension or benefits, like Universal Credit
withdraw cash or pay for things using a debit card
pay bills automatically using standing orders or Direct Debits, like rent and mobile contracts
keep your money safe.
For help finding the right bank account for you, see:
What ID do I need to open a bank account?
Most banks will ask you to provide a driving licence or passport to prove your identity.
If you’re applying online, they might ask for a photo of it instead, often with a live video or photo of you.
But these can be expensive to get, with a driving licence costing at least £34 or £88.50 for an adult passport.
To help, banks might accept these official documents instead, usually if they’re under three months old and using your current address:
Council Tax bill
utility bill, like gas or electricity
other bank or building society statement
credit card statement
HMRC letter or tax statement
mortgage statement
tenancy agreement
benefit or State Pension statement
immigration status letter
letter from your:
- employer
- prison governor
- care home manager
- homeless shelter
- place of study, like a college or training provider.
It’s also worth registering to voteOpens in a new window at your current address – especially if you've moved home – as some banks use this as part of their checks.
Check what you’ll need before applying
It’s always worth checking what documents you’ll need before you apply, as different banks might accept different things.
If you can’t find the information on their website, ask their customer services for a list of acceptable ID.
What can I do if I don’t have any ID?
If you can’t get the right documents, you could consider a prepaid card account instead.
This has fewer features than a bank account, but ID isn’t usually required.
For example, you can use a prepaid card to spend and withdraw cash, but you can’t usually set up payments like Direct Debits or receive your salary or benefits into it.
