Certified copy to change bank account

hampshirebabe

Can anyone tell me how do I get a certified copy of my marriage certificate to change my name with smile bank. They suggested I take a copy to my local cooperative bank, but I haven't got a local one, so I tried my hsbc bank, as I've got an account with them, but they wont do it unless its to change my name on that account.
It's so much hassle, I'm tempted to just open a new account with someone else.

tom188

Do you have know solicitor/doctor/accountant/minister of religion. Smile will have a list of who they will allow to certify the certificate, such as the above.

They may charge to do this as they are taking on a liability through doing it.

hampshirebabe

I dont personaly know any of the above. To see the doctor, I have to phone the surgery in the morning and they'll fit me in, so realy it means I'd have to have a day off work. Why does it have to be such a hassle, 1st direct just sent me a form, I didn't even need a copy of my marriage cert.

tom188

Its all to do with money laundering regulations, where banks are legally obliged to make sufficient checks on this. Each bank has its own spin on what process they should go through - maybe firstdirect have access to marriage records centrally whilst smile does not.