Help with new account ID

Always_searching

So my mother in law needs a bank account to cash a cheque she received. Not a difficult task you would think, wrong.

She has never had a bank account, always got by using others accounts, including at one point one someone opened in my wife's name!!

To cut a very long story short she now lived with us and I need to open this account. But as she doesn't drive, or have a passport or claim benefits she has no "acceptable forms of ID". We got her a copy of both her birth and marriage certificates but then found out these are no longer acceptable forms of ID unless you are under 18!!

Please can anyone offer advice or maybe a bank that accepts a birth certificate and marriage certificate as ID? ?

Kim_13

Contact the chosen bank and explain the situation and see if there is anything they can do. A utility bill in your wife's name accompanied by your wife's full birth certificate listing MiL may help. You'd probably need your marriage certificate too so that it shows your wife's maiden name.

Contact HMRC and ask for written confirmation of MiL's tax code. That should count as one item. Does your MiL receive state pension? Her entitlement letter for that may do alternatively.

TheBanker

I would suggest calling a bank, they are obliged to make special arrangements for customers who cannot meet the normal ID requirements. It might be worth starting with your own bank as if you're a known/good customer that may help.

As Kim says try to obtain anything from HMRC and the DWP (if in receipt of benefits). Any other official documents issued by the government or council will help.

I don't know the circumstances but if Social Services are involved in any way, I have accepted a letter from them as supporting evidence in the past.

Is MiL on the Electoral Roll at your address?

Or, as a quick alternative could you explain the situation to the issuer of the cheque and ask them to reissue it in your or your wife's name?