I’m 16 and having trouble with signing up for a bank account

LauraRosine

I’m a 16 year old with trouble signing up for a bank account. I signed up with Lloyds bank, the “under 19’s” bank account. And after I did it online I received an email saying what I should bring to prove my identity and address. Of course I don’t pay bills nor am I the owner of the house so some of the things listed in the requirements were irrelevant to me. So I went with my national insurance number letter and my passport.
However, they told me I can’t use my national insurance number letter to prove my address. So they told me to ask one of my school teachers to create a letter for me with my name, dob and all relevant information. They also asked that one of my parents come in.
But there was an issue, I’m sixteen years old. Capable to open a bank account on my own. I had a passport to prove my identity and national insurance number letter to prove my address since the letter was addressed to me under my name.

Can someone please give me any banks which don’t require having my parents sign a bunch of irrelevant papers?
Because there is no way I’m waiting till I’m 20 to open my own bank account.
My parents are aware I want to open a bank account but they don’t want to sign any documents since it’s not needed.

LauraRosine

Sorry- I meant my parents don’t have the time to go over to the bank to sign documents which aren’t required. Not that they don’t want to sign the documents.
My parents insist I have a bank account so they can add money onto the account. Like pocket-money.

[Deleted User]

You are not an adult so hence you will require an adult to open an account as far as I know. I did when I was 16. What is the big deal? just ask them to sign the paper and get the account. If not you must wait until you are 18. 

https://www.money.co.uk/current-accounts/how-to-get-a-bank-account-for-under-18s.htm

They want you to have an account but won't give the time to come and sign? They can't expect you to have an account then. Explain to them they need to sign otherwise you can't get an account.

jay1804

You could try a mobile bank like Monzo or starling.  Once the accounts open, you can get a bank statement which would be a proof of address for a high street bank.

[Deleted User]

jay1804 said:

You could try a mobile bank like Monzo or starling.  Once the accounts open, you can get a bank statement which would be a proof of address for a high street bank.

https://monzo.com/features/16-plus/

https://www.starlingbank.com/current-account/bank-account-for-teenagers/

ratechaser

Hmm, I opened a Santander 123 mini account for both my children - combination of my ID, and more basic ID for them (for the reasons you stated - a child is unlikely to have things like utility bills to prove address). Never needed to visit a branch, all done online and via post.

So provided your parents are happy to help you (as long as it doesn't involve going to a branch), there is an option for you - good luck!

mab3000

Do you have a provisional driving license yet? Barclays for example will let you use passport as proof of ID and provisional DL as proof of address, and your parents wouldn’t need to be there. 

However as has been mentioned previously, Monzo or Starling would probably be your best bet anyway, as most high street banks are unlikely to be doing account opening during the lockdown. 

henm2

You can open a 'My account' with HSBC. A passport or birth certificate will do as ID and a recent utility bill under your parents name and address will be sufficient for confirming address.