Basic Bank Account Question

confusedmoney

Sorry if this information is posted somewhere but i thought id ask.

I need to open a basic bank account for my benefits to be paid into and i dont have a driving license and passport. But i have recently got a Citizen Card Photo ID with a current photo. Would a bank accept this if i took my benefits letter in with the citizen card, and even though i am 24, and banks say under18's only for birth certificate and medical card, if i took the birth certificate and medical card with me for back up would barclays or abbey accept this?
Thanks alot all and great site by the way full of lots of usefull information.:money:

jalexa

confusedmoney wrote: »

For starters I suggest you go to your choice of bank (and another) and ask for their leaflet describing ID requirements. Then see how easy (or hard) it is to comply.

Usually there is something about acceptable alternative documents.

JuicyJesus

Barclays have a list of what ID they can take for their basic bank account here, which looks fairly similar to the list of ID documents accepted by other banks:

http://www.barclays.co.uk/Currentaccounts/Packagedaccounts/CashCardAccount/P1242557963900

I don't know of any banks that will accept a birth certificate as ID for over 18s, nor of any that will accept CitizenCards full stop. Your benefits letter may be OK for identification though - for proof of address you will need something else to go with it, for example, a landline bill, council tax bill or a water bill.

stclair

Barclays ID requirements are ok they be easy to comply with in your circumstances.

http://www.barclays.co.uk/Currentaccounts/Packagedaccounts/CashCardAccount/P1242557963900

Stay well clear of Abbey/Santander unless you want to nervous breakdown.