First Direct Identification

billshep

I'm trying to open a current account with first direct, but they've asked me to send obscure (to me) or certified forms of id:

Certified copy of a full and valid passport*
Certified copy of a full and current UK driving licence*
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) tax notification. For example:
- PAYE Coding Notice
- HMRC Notification of Working Family Tax Credit
- HMRC Notification of Children's Tax Credit
- HMRC Notification of Disabled Persons Tax Credit
- HMRC Tax Calculation
Disabled parking document
Firearms/shotgun certificate
Benefits Agency / Local Authority letter confirming your right to benefits from the following departments:
- Benefits Agency
- Department of Work and Pensions (including Jobcentre Plus)
- Child Benefit Office
- Veterans Agency

I'm employed and all tax through PAYE, so don't get anything from HMRC, don't have kids/disability/benefits/shotgun licence etc.
So only option is certified copy which they say has to be from a

solicitor, lawyer, attorney, licenced conveyencer or Barrister

Don't really want to have to spend time and money getting a solicitor to copy something.
Why can't they ask for something simple like a council tax bill or a bank statement?
Any ideas before I bite the bullet and phone them? (I hate trying to phone companies...)
Thanks

grumbler

A similar recent thread: Passport certification for First Direct

billshep

Thanks - I did search the forum before posting but clearly used the wrong search terms or didn't scroll through enough pages...

dalesrider

billshep wrote: »

(I hate trying to phone companies...)
Thanks

I hate to point out the obivious but First Direct are a telephone bank.....
At some point you will have to phone to set up security or you are wasting your time.

billshep

dalesrider wrote: »

I hate to point out the obivious but First Direct are a telephone bank.....
At some point you will have to phone to set up security or you are wasting your time.

Fair point, but the fewer times the better

billshep

Actually, having said that, it's also an internet bank and I've set up savings accounts with ING and Egg in the past and I'm pretty sure everything was done over the web and snail mail - only needed to phone if things went pear shaped...

billshep

Bit the bullet and phoned 1st direct - no menus etc to plough through on the number they gave and as the other thread says a P60 is not acceptable as it comes from employer, not HMRC. However they did say you can request a PAYE coding notice by calling 0845 3000 627. That was a bit more painful, after about 4 minutes of menus and recorded messages I got through to a helpful person who put in the coding notice request and changed my address which was apparently wrong...