ID for new accounts - should you be certified?

Sceptic001

I posted this message in the thread on the Natwest 2.85% esaver but wonder if other MSE stalwarts have come across this. In a nutshell, my question is: when opening a savings account with a new bank, have you ever been asked for a certified original document? If so, what is the point of certifying an original document?

Sceptic001 wrote: »

Here's an oddity. I sent my application, a cheque for £1 and ID (original HMRC tax coding selected from their list). My ID has been rejected because they say it does not show my full name (actually it does) and has not been certified.

Leaving aside their error re: my name (which is hopefully easily resolved), has anyone here ever been asked for a certified original? I thought the point of certifying is to certify that a copy is a genuine copy of an original. Indeed, the notes that came with the letter list various acceptable forms of ID, asking that copies of driving licence/passport are certified in Branch, but makes no mention of certifying original documents.

ChiefGrasscutter

I suspect they are actually being asked for a certified COPY of the original.
In which case the certifier is merely certifying that he/she has examined the copy alongside the original and is verifying that they are indeed the same.
There is indeed no real point in having an 'original' certified.

Sceptic001

ChiefGrasscutter wrote: »

I suspect they are actually being asked for a certified COPY of the original.
In which case the certifier is merely certifying that he/she has examined the copy alongside the original and is verifying that they are indeed the same.
There is indeed no real point in having an 'original' certified.

No, Natwest specifically asked for the original...

Original HM Revenue & Customs issued tax notification and correspondence

http://www.natwest.com/personal/current-accounts/g2/switching-to-us.ashx#tabs=section4

barak

Sceptic001 wrote: »

No, Natwest specifically asked for the original...

http://www.natwest.com/personal/current-accounts/g2/switching-to-us.ashx#tabs=section4

Can't really see the problem with sending them an original tax office letter or tax code notification and keeping a copy for you own file, although they will return the original anyway. Ditto for credit card statement etc.

I can't see anything about any such document being certified, although you would need a certified copy if you had to use passport or driving licence.

Edit: Sceptic001 - I've just seen your posting on the other thread. I agree that it doesn't make sense to have an original letter certified. Sounds like further NatWest muddle to me.

KingL

You have just got an overenthusiastic clerk.

As you suggest, there is no point in certifying an original.

Neither the link you provided nor this one seems to mention certified documents at all, they seem to be originals only kind-of-guys.

C0ck-up theory applies, methinks.

Sceptic001

KingL wrote: »

You have just got an overenthusiastic clerk.

As you suggest, there is no point in certifying an original.

Neither the link you provided nor this one seems to mention certified documents at all, they seem to be originals only kind-of-guys.

C0ck-up theory applies, methinks.

Thanks, KingL, I trust you are right. The guidance notes they sent with the letter are an exact copy of the link you provided, making no mention of certifying original documents, thus contradicting themselves. It doesn't inspire much confidence, does it?

Annoyingly the helpline quoted in the letter is only open Mon-Fri 9-5, so I will have to wait till Monday to sort it out. :mad:

Newly_retired

If it's any help, I was asked for originals or certified copies of ID, so I took originals into branch where they copied and signed ie certified and kept the copies of the originals. Job done.

knightfox

I think natwest are starting to change their policy. Maybe they are making sure that the Eu dont attack them any more. Or did they not get done for not doing the correct checks recently.

Anyway I opened a new account. I sent forms and they were returned within a week. I was impressed. However they did say it might take 10 days for scanning then of course post. But all was okay.

dunstonh

The FSA has been making more noises on "financial crime" recently and a number of companies have increased their requirements beyond what they did before.

Sceptic001

To bring this thread to a neat conclusion, the request for a certified original by NatWest was a mistake. I re-sent the original (uncertified) document and it was accepted at the second attempt.

KingL's c0ck-up hypothesis is proved correct.:)