Certifying documents at the branch- what is the norm?

GingerFurball_2

pavane wrote: »

Thanks for the responses. So it seems there is no norm and depends largely on the staff. From this thread it is clear many do not understand the request just as the girl from Halifax.

Halifax understood the request, they just won't do it.

System

I understand fully what is being asked.

You aren't asking the bank staff to countersign on a personal basis but in their professional capacity. If the document is used in anything untoward then that will involve the individual and their employer (the bank).

Just as people no longer have (misplaced) loyalty to their bank, no longer do banks reward loyalty to their customers.

pavane wrote: »

Thanks for the responses. So it seems there is no norm and depends largely on the staff. From this thread it is clear many do not understand the request just as the girl from Halifax.

GingerFurball_2

pavane wrote: »

not raising the point that about 2 years ago when a large online card payment was blocked as a precaution the identification questions they asked me over the phone included information from these documents, despite them not mentioning to me at the time they were keeping copies for themselves. So much for privacy I thought, surely just cost saving.

Just as well you didn't make that point, because you'd have made yourself look like a bit of a fool if you had.

takman

I'm actually surprised that any bank would certify documents for free. You are asking them to carry out a service for you so if the bank don't want to provide that service then that is fair enough.

hoc

Heng_Leng wrote: »

I understand fully what is being asked.

You aren't asking the bank staff to countersign on a personal basis but in their professional capacity. If the document is used in anything untoward then that will involve the individual and their employer (the bank).

Just as people no longer have (misplaced) loyalty to their bank, no longer do banks reward loyalty to their customers.

No, your understanding is not correct. That is not how it works.

Your argument suggests a Post Office staff has the means (knowledge and tools) to verify the genuineness of a passport, etc. Even if they had this training (they don't) they do not have such authority. A claim by a Post Office staff that a passport, etc. is genuine is neither binding nor would it be taken very seriously. But they don't do this anyway because that isn't what document certification is.

Please educate yourself and stop misinforming others. Here are links from gov.uk and Post Office's own site:

https://www.gov.uk/certifying-a-document

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/document-certification-service

The service offered is to "certify that the copies presented/produced are a true likeness of the original document/s".

JuicyJesus

How about we just agree that banks or whoever can either certify or not certify documents as they please and end this pointless argument?

System

Where did I mention the Post Office? :rotfl:

hoc wrote: »

No, your understanding is not correct. That is not how it works.

Your argument suggests a Post Office staff has the means (knowledge and tools) to verify the genuineness of a passport, etc. Even if they had this training (they don't) they do not have such authority. A claim by a Post Office staff that a passport, etc. is genuine is neither binding nor would it be taken very seriously. But they don't do this anyway because that isn't what document certification is.

Please educate yourself and stop misinforming others. Here are links from gov.uk and Post Office's own site:

https://www.gov.uk/certifying-a-document

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/document-certification-service

The service offered is to "certify that the copies presented/produced are a true likeness of the original document/s".

newlease

Little things like this turned me off Lloyds. I still bank with them, but other than my salary which I quickly transfer over, they lost my business 2 years ago after 15 years. I requested a simple confirmation letter from them they refused and on top of that they charged me 9.95 for 'reviewing the request' despite not doing anything. I went into the branch for document certification and they said no. Meanwhile the branch manager sends me a letter every year saying he would like to meet 'to discuss my needs, etc. etc.'- closing my Private banking account clearly stung.

Barclays is equally large but much more flexible and understanding with such requests. I had my passport certified last year without any issues. I did not even have to show my bank card, the staff did not know me, there was no problem.

So Lloyds in general is not very good with this type of service.

Having said that I agree most have not understood the request or know what they're talking about. The staff certifying the copy of my passport admitted it was his first time seeing a Canadian passport, just as a Post Office or any other suggested profession likely would have been.

pinkdalek

newlease wrote: »

Little things like this turned me off Lloyds. I still bank with them, but other than my salary which I quickly transfer over, they lost my business 2 years ago after 15 years. I requested a simple confirmation letter from them they refused and on top of that they charged me 9.95 for 'reviewing the request' despite not doing anything. I went into the branch for document certification and they said no. Meanwhile the branch manager sends me a letter every year saying he would like to meet 'to discuss my needs, etc. etc.'- closing my Private banking account clearly stung.

Barclays is equally large but much more flexible and understanding with such requests. I had my passport certified last year without any issues. I did not even have to show my bank card, the staff did not know me, there was no problem.

So Lloyds in general is not very good with this type of service.

Having said that I agree most have not understood the request or know what they're talking about. The staff certifying the copy of my passport admitted it was his first time seeing a Canadian passport, just as a Post Office or any other suggested profession likely would have been.

No in reality what you are saying is because the bank would not do what you want them to do, as it is not their policy, you spat your dummy out and went elsewhere.

Call me old fashioned but I choose my bank based on..

1)Service
2)Value
3)Products that suit my needs.

Could not care less if they won't certify a copy.
Blimey if I was that desperate I would send originals via recorded delivery.

newlease

pinkdalek wrote: »

No in reality what you are saying is because the bank would not do what you want them to do, as it is not their policy, you spat your dummy out and went elsewhere.

Call me old fashioned but I choose my bank based on..

1)Service
2)Value
3)Products that suit my needs.

Could not care less if they won't certify a copy.
Blimey if I was that desperate I would send originals via recorded delivery.

Huh? What you say is me "spitting my dummy out" is changing bank because I was not happy with the service on these types of matters. It is more about flexibility and understanding, not an issue of cost. I can afford the fees.

Anyway, document certification was not critical and was not the reason I left, I needed my bank of ten plus years to confirm in a letter I was their customer since whatever date for legal reasons and they refused the request but took 10 pounds from my account for the trouble to tell me so. They replied saying they could issue paper statements, the charge would have been three hundred odd pounds which again I could afford but chose not to. I handled it through other means at my inconvenience and this was the last straw so I transferred over to Barclays, closing the Private banking account and just keeping a simple current account for a few things. Had them calling on the phone apologising, etc. and still get letters and when logging in requests saying I may be eligible for this and that, I should come see an advisor, etc etc

Unusually aggressive replies and presumptive opinions in this thread. I'm out.