Bank wanting proof to change home address

fair_enough

I am attempting to change my address with my banks but have come across some very varied process.

• One bank allowed me to change details online
• Another asked for a photocopy of a bank statement/bill etc. showing new address
• A third has asked for an original (or certified copy) of a bank statement/bill etc. showing new address

It is strange that some are easier and appear less secure than others whereas some ask for a little more but this feels better.

I was wondering what other people's experiences are in changing their address with their bank.

mr_fishbulb

Nationwide do this special thing where you have to ask them at least 4 times to change your address. Each time they say it is done, but the letters will still go to the old address.

freezspirit

I had a similar problem years ago with Halifax. I went into the branch my id and a cover letter showing old address and new address so it would be easy for them to change on the computer. It was a liquid gold account so I forgot about it. Last year I opened a reward account online which linked to my liquid gold account. Went into the branch as I had not recieved my card. Turns out they never changed my address just somehow added the other.

I know in the past that you could go into Barclays with id and ask to change address and they would ask and from when would you like the change to be. As in I would like to change my address from such a date.

naijapower

This address issue is a big problem. Some banks suck big time!!..
I recall a bank asking me for a full utility bill before address could be changed even though i had a passport.
When i argued that bill wont come on time as it wasnt due they still declined.
I ask them what would happen in the meantime. The answer was 'am afraid, your mails will still go to your old address'
Very helpful indeed!

MrsManda

I've never had any problems changing my address at banks. I've moved house 8 times in the last 10 years and have always just written a letter to the bank's head office to state that my old address was X, and my new address from this date will be Y (I seem to do this so often I have a template letter on my computer ). Then I've recieved a letter from the bank at my old and my new addresses to confirm the change - have always set up mail forwarding for a month so both letters end up coming to my new address.

anniecave

but if everyone wanted a copy of someone else's bill at the new address then it would be impossible... You could have DVLA wanting the same thing to change your driving licence and then fining you because you didn't update your address with them (because you were waiting for a bill ...)

Or am I missing something?

sandiep

one of them insisted on me posting them the ORIGINAL of my marriage certificate! Needless to say, that account remains in my maiden name!!

Absinthe_Fairy

That sounds very bizarre, OP. As anniecave says, how would anything ever get changed? What if you don't have any utility bills? The last place I lived in, bills were included in my rent so I would have been stuck.

I'm with NatWest and I have to go to the branch in order to change my address. This is annoying, however the change always goes through correctly and I've never had to go back or recheck. I could change it over the phone if I was registered for telephone banking but I've never got around to doing this.