Identity requirements to open new account

pkr

My mum is 86 yrs old and I invest her savings for her. I am finding it increasingly difficult to provide the required proof of identity required to open new accounts. Unsurprisingly, she has never held a shotgun licence and she has never had a driving licence or passport. In the last 5 weeks I have had to withdraw applications to reinvest because my mum simply does not have the required documentation. She lives with me so all the household and utility bills are in my name; she has a current bank account so this does provide one proof of identity. One provider would accept a photocopy of her blue badge, providing it was countersigned by someone from her bank. When I rang them, they would only do this if she personally knew a member of the bank's staff which she didn't. Previously a recent letter from DWP has been accepted but only one provider has said they would accept this as an alternative proof of ID. My mum cannot be alone in having this problem, can she??

oramgepekoe

You can get a passport for free if you were born before 2 Sept 1929.
https://www.gov.uk/free-passport

grey_gym_sock

you could tell the council to put both your names on the council tax bill.

badger09

oramgepekoe wrote: »

You can get a passport for free if you were born before 2 Sept 1929.
https://www.gov.uk/free-passport

Having similar problems to OP in regard to my mum in law who is 87.

This is really useful, thanks.

ses6jwg

Usually a letter from the DWP (about her state pension, or winter fuel payment, these are sent annually) accompanied by a recent bank statement will be sufficient.

nilrem_2

pkr wrote: »

My mum is 86 yrs old and I invest her savings for her. I am finding it increasingly difficult to provide the required proof of identity required to open new accounts. Unsurprisingly, she has never held a shotgun licence and she has never had a driving licence or passport. In the last 5 weeks I have had to withdraw applications to reinvest because my mum simply does not have the required documentation. She lives with me so all the household and utility bills are in my name; she has a current bank account so this does provide one proof of identity. One provider would accept a photocopy of her blue badge, providing it was countersigned by someone from her bank. When I rang them, they would only do this if she personally knew a member of the bank's staff which she didn't. Previously a recent letter from DWP has been accepted but only one provider has said they would accept this as an alternative proof of ID. My mum cannot be alone in having this problem, can she??

You are not alone, my wife has neither a passport nor driving licence and she has the devil of a job opening accounts. She has never driven but I even got her a provisional photo licence for ID purposes only to be told that it has to be a full licence for ID! Which seemed quite ridiculous to me? Almost as if you need to pass the driving test to open an account!

Macca83_2

Some banks will accept a letter of introduction from an existing customer. Some accept a letter from the householder with a council tax bill. Correspondence from hmrc will do, as will bank statements, pension letters, credit card statements, benefit letters...

Vortigern

pkr - Is your mum on the register of electors at your address? If so you may be able to open accounts online.

Does she have a credit card? If not, get her to apply for one of those starter cards which would allow her to build a credit history with the credit reference agencies. Make a small purchase each month and pay it off in full when the statement arrives.

Do you have Power of Attorney to act on behalf of your mum? Does this make it any easier to open accounts? I don't know whether this would help, but I'd like to know for myself.

pkr

Many thanks for all your replies, very useful. I was unaware mum could get passport for free, may do that. Will also see about having her name on council tax bill. I don't have POA so not sure if this makes it easier. It does not matter if you try to apply online, the identity requirements are the same for that particular bank. As regards alternative forms of identity, I have asked if DWP letter would be acceptable but 2 banks would not shift from their requirements, only 1 would so am hoping this application will now go through. The problem is that the identity requirements differ from bank to bank (although a lot will be the same) and in trying to get the best rates, its just unfortunate that the banks we have applied to, are the ones that won't accept HMRC or DWP. Anyway, looks as though problem may be solved thanks to your help. Hopefully when need to reinvest again, won't be tearing my hair out.