Problem with maiden name on passport?

Alfie_E

Waldir wrote:

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

It wouldn’t be a credit check, as they’re not offering credit. It would be an ID check. I find it hard to believe that YBS has no facility to use a Credit Reference Agency for performing ID checks.

Waldir wrote:

We are also registered on the electoral roll... I forgot to ask if it would help.

It could help a lot. If YBS are able to perform an ID check, they’ll see that your wife is on the electoral role. That should be enough to placate them. When I’ve opened accounts online, that’s the only check that’s ever been performed on me.

brazilianwax

Waldir wrote:

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?

Ummm, NO!!! I didn't change my name and all accounts are in my (maiden) name. Never had any problem at all.

Sounds like they don't have a clue!!

dunstonh

It should be noted the rules were changed last August so anything done prior to that date may not apply. For example, Electoral roll has never been sufficient as the only source of information. Under the old rules, it was only acceptable as a secondary bit of information.

Electronic verification does check electoral roll and it helps the points total but it if it was the only thing available, then it would fail.

Alfie_E

dunstonh wrote:

It should be noted the rules were changed last August so anything done prior to that date may not apply. For example, Electoral roll has never been sufficient as the only source of information. Under the old rules, it was only acceptable as a secondary bit of information.

But, still, there’s no hard and fast rules to all this, are there? There’s the legislation, which gives an over all description, but no prescription as to what exactly must be done. The various professional bodies then interpret that legislation, and issue guidance for their members. Finally, it’s up the individual or institution to interpret that guidance and decide what they must do for themselves.

Jo_anne_2

brazilianwax wrote:

Ummm, NO!!! I didn't change my name and all accounts are in my (maiden) name. Never had any problem at all.

Sounds like they don't have a clue!!

Same here! What they told you is blatently untrue. I have been married 20 yrs, and have never had any problems using my maiden name on all bank/BS accounts & legal documents.

dunstonh

There is some scope for interpretation but here is a snippet from the JMLSG:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Are the Guidance Notes mandatory?[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It should be noted that because the Guidance Notes are issued by the trade associations and not by the Regulators, their application cannot be mandatory. Failure to comply with the Guidance Notes does not mean that a financial sector firm has automatically breached the Regulations or the FSA Rules. They do however provide an indication of what is expected of financial sector firms and, when tailored by a firm to its own risk base and business profile, they provide a safe harbour in respect of the Regulations.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tailored procedures for a specific firm will often provide that firm with a better means of complying with its obligations and firms may use their discretion in designing alternative procedures that meet the requirements of the Regulations. However, these tailored procedures should not fall below the generic standards set by the Guidance Notes and any firm may need to demonstrate the adequacy of any alternative procedures that it chooses to adopt in the event of a criminal investigation or a regulatory review or inspection.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In some areas the Guidance Notes deliberately go beyond the strict requirements of the Regulations themselves in some instances to reflect the evolution of good industry practice.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Which organisation should comply?[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Scope of the Guidance Notes covers all financial sector firms including intermediaries. They are therefore applicable to:[/FONT]

• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]all banks, building societies and other credit institutions;[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]all individuals and firms engaging in investment business within the meaning of the Financial Services Act 1986;[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]all insurance companies covered by the European life Directives, including the life business of Lloyd's of London;[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]bureaux de change, cheque encashment centres and money transmission services, etc.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]to the extent that the relevant business for the purposes of the Regulations is within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom courts.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Although the Guidance Notes are designed specifically to cover the activities of those regulated as financial sector businesses, most of the content is generally applicable to other companies and businesses carrying out relevant financial activities, for example those providing credit facilities, bureaux de change and company formation agents. Where separate guidance is issued for accountants and lawyers by the appropriate regulatory bodies, this will clearly prevail.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Who are the members of the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group?[/FONT]

• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Association of British Credit Unions Ltd (ABCUL)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Association of British Insurers (ABI)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Association of Foreign Banks (AFB)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Association of Friendly Societies (AFS)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Association of Independent Financial Advisers (AIFA)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Association of Private Client Investment Managers and Stockbrokers (APCIMS)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]British Bankers' Association (BBA)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]British Venture Capital Association (BVCA)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Building Societies Association (BSA)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Electronic Money Association (EMA)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Finance and Leasing Association (FLA)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Futures and Options Association (FOA)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Investment Management Association (IMA)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]London Investment Banking Association (liBA)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]PEP & ISA Managers' Association (PIMA)[/FONT]
• [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Wholesale Market Brokers' Association (WMBA)[/FONT]

---

That pretty much covers everyone. A few years back Halifax got a big fine for not following the money laundering requirements. So, just because it didnt happen, doesnt mean it shouldnt.

Chadsman

Anyone can use any name they like provided that in doing so they are not trying to do anything dishonest. Some CS reps dont know their arm from their elbow and will say anything.

johnmoney05

Maybe try another branch or post application....

Waldir

Yes, we'll try again in a few weeks time. Hopefully somebody else will process our file

Thanks a lot for all your encouraging replies.

Waldir

zar

I tried opening an account a couple of years ago with YBS and had exactly the same problem, they wouldn't accept the marriage certificate as I'd been married for over 3 months (although only just!) and that was their policy - the girl rang up the relevant department and said she'd had the same problem herself a few months previously. Since I'd changed my name with my other banks and didn't drive, I didn't have sufficient ID in either name.

I got tired of all the hassle in the end so have now changed everything (including passport) to my married name just to keep things simple. Except one savings account that I haven't got round to yet - hope I don't have any problems as a result of it being the only one! I haven't any great attachment to my maiden name luckily and prefer my married one so it wasn't too difficult a decision.

I don't know how people like Cherie Blair/Booth cope with using two different names in practice, with the money laundering rules and all the different interpretations of them by each institution.