18 year old unable to get current account

Concerned75

Marchitiello said:

jon81uk said:

Has he not had any form of bank account prior to this? I had an account age 13 that then got converted to an adult account later on. But then I don't think they wanted as much ID back in the 90s...
I would have thought if he already had an under 18s account it is easy to stay with the same bank and convert to an adult account.

If he was under 18 and going with the same bank that you use then you could have helped with the ID, but now he is over 18 it is different. Also the provisional license could have been used if under 18.

Still possible, although not sure if it is easier if the parent also bank with the same bank. I have opened a direct access child saving account for my son when he turned 7 (min age required by RBS), and then opened child friendly current account (each with a proper visa debit card) when he turned 12 with Barclays, RBS and HSBC (not yet done Santander as we had to book an appointment in branch, whilst the other was done remotely). Many of my friends though I was crazy to open so many account for a child but I have done it exactly to avoid the OP or other similar scenarios.. once he turns 18 he will have at least 6 years banking history with all those banks and potentially easier access to financial products.

I agree with this. Although older and a property owner, I had to open a new bank account, after I was critically ill in hospital and fell into mortgage arrears. My dad was effectively my guarantor to open a very basic bank account with Barclays, but we didn't have any issues with them. He's been banking with them for over 50 years and I now have been for 12yrs.

[Deleted User]

Dyscovery said:

Hi, my 18 year old son has been rejected several times trying to get a current account.  He has been told he needs forms of ID which I understand, but he has a provisional driving licence which is not fully accepted because he doesn’t have a full licence, he has a dated saving account statement, but it’s rejected because it doesn’t have a sort code.  He has a HMRC tax letter which has not been accepted because it isn’t dated and the HMRC never date their letters.  He lives with us, his parents, he needs to have a tenancy agreement, a phone bill, water, gas bill.  Catch 22.  He can’t get any of these without a current account.  Has any one any suggestions..  he doesn’t have a passport, which I am reluctant to spend a Fortune on as it is something he won’t use as he is autistic and won’t travel abroad.  His wages are minimal and are going into our account.  Thanks

The Building Society statement is acceptable for ID - they are simply poorly trained as Building Societies are fairly rare now. Those accounts don't always have a standard account number /sort code and they should know that. The YBS sort code is 609204/570045 and N&P is 406500

powerspowers

What a pain! Can you try to open a basic bank account and then convert to a full account in future? Banks are supposed to be more accessible for people with very little ID now. https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/banking/basic-bank-accounts Has some more info on which banks accept which docs. Could also try your local credit union?
id also consider getting a passport for ID purposes as this will come up again and again
good luck! 

Emily_Joy

OP, you said in your opening post that your son is training to be a chef and will presumably get an employment soon. Without a proper ID, how he is going to prove that he has right to work in the UK?