First Direct - how long to open account

colb15

Hi All

I applied online for a first direct account three days ago, just wondering how long it takes for you to find out if they have accepted or declined my application?

lee111s

Mine was instant.

colb15

Ok maybe I got rejected so and didn't see that. Must have been asleep

JWalker1995

Mine was also instant

denise38

Mine wasnt instant I had to contact them as application crashed while I was doing my joint part. Had to go back in via retrieve application and redo mine. That was 5 days ago. Today I called them and got an email that he sent out while on the phone. . I as joint applicant have to prove who I am . I have to get someone to certify a copy of my passport and proof of address. They have to be A Solicitor, Lawyer, Licenced Conveyancer, Barrister, Commissioner For Oaths, Chartered Legal Executive, Notary, Chartered Accountant, Member of Parliament, Member of the Judiciary, Independent Financial Advisor, Dentist, Medical Doctor, Nurse, Optician and Pharmacist.
They have to print their details and put company stamp.
the bank account we were transferring was my account that husband joined when we got married. I dont work now .
I will be cancelling my application I am not going to go out of my way and pay doctor etc to do this . We will stay where we are
not worth the time effort and money it will cost to swap over.
Nothing wrong with our credit history and we are both on voters roll.

colb15

Thats annoying that they are making you do that. Thanks for the replies. Will follow up on Monday but when I look at tab again it seems like you get a decision instantly. Didn't think i missed that but maybe I did.

SuperAllyB

I was told I would be notified I think within 5 days. The first I knew I was successful was a text after 3 days telling me that my new text alerts were set up. Welcome pack followed in the post a day or two later.

I phoned last night to set up security and initiate my switch. They said they were really busy and it may be 3 days until switch documents are e-mailed so that might explain the delay.

Fingers crossed for you

JWalker1995

FYI my switch docs took 6 days to come through!

SuperAllyB

JWalker1995 wrote: »

FYI my switch docs took 6 days to come through!

Was that by post or by e-mail? Also, think she actually said working days.

MARTYM8`

OP - dont worry.

Some people get approved immediately but others may get their application delayed because FD cannot electronically verify them. This is a perennial problem for flat dwellers like me where address formats differ between the credit reference agencies etc.

I got a message saying they would get back to me when I applied.

Then 3 days later I got a holding email and then about a week later I got an email asking me to send in proof of ID and address.

Their ID requirements when I applied were quite strict and I believe remain so. You had to provide one of the following plus another proof of address - and when they say certified they mean by a solicitor, lawyer, attorney, licenced conveyancer or Barrister:

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

As I don't claim any benefits and don't have a shotgun the only ID I could supply easily was my HMRC tax coding. Sent this in and a week later I got confirmation my account would be opened.

As I was away on holiday during the week I got the ID email it took about 4 weeks for my account to finally get opened post application - but that is probably an exception.

Good luck!

Kernel_Sanders

denise38 wrote: »

They have to be A Solicitor, Lawyer, Licenced Conveyancer, Barrister, Commissioner For Oaths, Chartered Legal Executive, Notary, Chartered Accountant, Member of Parliament, Member of the Judiciary, Independent Financial Advisor, Dentist, Medical Doctor, Nurse, Optician and Pharmacist.

Somebody with all those occupations just isn't going to have the time to certify your documents.