Problem with maiden name on passport?

Waldir

Hi all,

I'm not sure it's the right forum, but couldn't find a better place... please move it if necessary.

Yesterday, my wife couldn't open a regular saver with Yorkshire BS because her passport only has her maiden name written on it.
We got married in March last year, and she renewed her passport in December (but she did so in her own country, Malaysia, making it a pain to change her family name at the same time).

According to the girl from YBS, as her passport was renewed after the wedding, it is compulsory to show her married name on it.
I find it very strange, as it is not compulsory in the UK for the wife to use her husband's name...
She never had any problems opening accounts with either name in the past, but YBS said that building societies need to have extra security checks that normal banks do not need.


Does anybody know what this is about?
Can she really not open an account with YBS?

Thanks,
Waldir

Jo_anne_2

It is not compusory to change your name on your passport after marriage. AFAIK, building societies don't have any different security checks to banks. My passport has always been in my maiden name and I have never had any problems opening accounts.

However opening an account in her married name might not be possible using the passport as ID, perhaps she could open the account in her maiden name? Which name does she want to be known by?

dunstonh

Does anybody know what this is about?

European anti money laundering rules

Can she really not open an account with YBS?

A passport with incorrect name isn't good enough. It will fail with anyone. Passports are not the only thing that can be used though. Driving licence is the other popular one for proof of name. Alternatively, marriage certificate used in conjunction with the passport may suffice.

YBS said that building societies need to have extra security checks that normal banks do not need.

That is incorrect. Its a standard across the board. It doesn't matter if its a bank, building society or an IFA opening the account. The same requirements exist for all.

Alfie_E

As far as I’m aware, there’s no requirement for either a UK passport or a foreign passport used to enter the UK to have been issued in a woman’s married name. Although some countries do have this as a requirement, I can be pretty sure the girl in YBS doesn’t know Malaysian law. Did your wife have her marriage certificate with her in YBS? If not, go back with that. If they still say no to the passport and marriage certificate, complain. Firstly to the branch manager, then, if needs be, to YBS’s head office.

johnmoney05

Jo_anne is right. I think open an account with her maiden name is fine. Because she still uses the maiden name on the passport. The problem is if she wants to use her married name, but only can produce a passport with her maiden name.

arnie&caseysma!

I take it she doesnt have a bank card from another account and a utility bill in her nae that she can use? I have used these to open accounts in the past with no problems without having to use a passport or driving licence. After all what happens when a person doesnt have either of these? The bank should have a list of accepted documents, ask them and find out what is acceptable or take the business somewhere you can get answers and open the account easily!

dunstonh

The requirement is to identify name and identify address. You cannot use the item that was used for name to verify address.

Bank statements and utility bills are fine for address but not for name.

Waldir

Thanks a lot for all your replies!

A few more details about what happened there:

First, we were planning to open the account in her married name, and had brought the passport with maiden name + our certificate of marriage (and utility bills in her married name).
That's when we were told about the renewed passport needing to show the married name (the girl checked with her manager first).

Then I asked if we could open the account using her maiden name instead, and she said that even though a wife doesn't have to use her husband's name in everyday's life, all banking stuff in the UK had to be done in the married name... which I found very strange. Is this true?
Actually, another problem with using her maiden name is that all our utility/council tax bills are now showing our married name only...


Also, about the extra security checks needed by building societies, she said that it was because they didn't have access to credit checks...

jillie1974

my passport is inmy maiden name and i always bring my marriage cert with me and never have had a problem...

Waldir

arnie&caseysma! wrote:

I take it she doesnt have a bank card from another account and a utility bill in her nae that she can use? I have used these to open accounts in the past with no problems without having to use a passport or driving licence. After all what happens when a person doesnt have either of these? The bank should have a list of accepted documents, ask them and find out what is acceptable or take the business somewhere you can get answers and open the account easily!

Yes we did have all of this with us: bank card from hsbc and utility bill in her married name. But they said they could only take the passport or driving license (but my wife doesn't have one) as a proof of name...
We are also registered on the electoral roll... I forgot to ask if it would help.

dunstonh

Also, about the extra security checks needed by building societies, she said that it was because they didn't have access to credit checks...

They do have access to it. Even small IFAs like myself have access to it. Its a case of whether the company is willing to pay for it or not. What she should have said is that they are not willing to pay for electronic verification which would benefit their customers.


Here are the things which are acceptable for evidence of name:
Current Signed Passport or EEA State Identity Card
Resident Permit issued to EU nationals by Home Office
Current UK Photo Driving Licence (including Blue Disabled Driver’s Pass)
Firearms/ shotgun certificate
State Pension or Benefits Book/ notification letter
Sub-contractors Certificate
Inland Revenue tax notification
UK Driving Licence (old style)
Current Local Authority Tax bill
Local Authority rent card or tenancy agreement
Electoral roll check

Below is a copy and paste which may help:

Some items are acceptable for name and date of birth or address identification and would meet the standard level VOI requirement. So for example if the client has a passport or a driving licence (with photograph) this would be the only piece of evidence required. If the individual can’t produce a Government issued document with a photograph you will have to obtain two pieces of evidence from them i.e a Government issued document without a photograph supported by a Second document either Government issued or Non government issued from a comparable jurisdiction e.g a utility bill.

So, Electoral Roll and Utility bill should suffice as Electoral role covers Non photo Govt and utility bill acts as second bit.