Unable to open bank account

FourthMoonofJupiter

Does anyone know how I can open a bank account without a passport or a driving license? Need one desperately to have benefits paid in due to escaping from an abusive relationship and everything being in his name. I keep coming up against a brick wall. I could do without applying for a passport because of the time it will take and the money it will cost when every penny counts at present- grateful for any advice! Thanks

Dobbibill

Proof of identity:

* Benefits or State pension notification letter
* Current UK non photo driving licence
* Blue disabled drivers pass
* All other current signed passports with valid UK Visa not listed above
* UK Birth Certificate (under 18s only)
* National Insurance Card (under 18s only)
* Medical Card/Certificate (under 18s only)

Proof of address:

* Bank, Building Society or Credit Union statement (we do not accept statements printed off the internet)
* Current UK non photo driving licence (only if it is not been used as your proof of identification)
* Utility Bill/Utility Statement or Certificate/Letter from a supplier of utilities dated within the last 3 months
* Local authority tax bill/council tax bill for current year
Benefits or pensions notification letter confirming the right to benefit (only if it has not been used as your proof of identification)

Do you have any letter from the benefits you are due to receive?

Do you have any utility bills in your name? (most do not accept mobile phone bills but council tax, water, leccie, gas etc would all be suitable)

Did you have a joint account in your previous relationship? (statements are acceptable)
Also if you did have an account, you can always log on to internet banking and open a sole account (you would both have log in details separately for a joint account), this would solve your problem as you the bank would not need proof as you already bank with them.

HTH

FourthMoonofJupiter

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately nothing on the list is in my name, he has been very clever and got things watertight. It looks like the passport is my only option, but thank you anyway.

keiran

I think that if you paid a visit to a branch and explained your situation, taking any form of ID you do have available with you, they ought to be able to open a basic bank account.

Perhaps you have some letters, etc from your solicitor, or Child Support Agency, or a women's refuge.

The Citizens' Advice Bureau would also surely assist

Dobbibill

Have you got any family that can have your benefits paid into their account, then draw the cash out for you. Obviously this is not ideal, long term but I definitely think it would help in the short term. It will buy you time while you send off for a passport or get other forms of ID together.

eskbanker

See https://www.gov.uk/how-to-have-your-benefits-paid, which includes reference to

If you don’t have a bank or Post Office card account, contact the office that pays your benefit to find out how to get your benefits paid.

colsten

Similar here:

Firstly, you’ll need to contact the Government Department that pays your pension benefits or tax credits and ask about opening a card account.

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/post-office-card-account

eskbanker

colsten wrote: »

Similar here:

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/post-office-card-account

There doesn't seem to be anything immediately obvious about Ts & Cs and opening procedure on the PO site but the gov.uk one I quoted from states:

Open a Post Office card account

To open an account you’ll need:

• to contact the office that pays your benefit
• proof of identity, eg a passport
• proof of where you’re living, eg a recent bill with your name and address on it

which would seem to take OP back to square one if true!

pmduk

Ask the benefit office about the Simple Payment card

Gers

The UK Citizen Card?

Not sure if banks will accept it but it's backed by the Home Office.

MNM2903

dont quote me on this and maybe someone else can clarify but i opened a lloyds tsb account a few month back, it was just a basic cash account where i could put money in to use for leisure and im sure i didnt need identification just had to complete an online appliaction and it was authorised on the internet if i remember right?