Help setting up a current account for my mum

Keith1974

Traditionally my dad pays the bills and has the direct debits etc set up in his account.  His is unwell.

My mum has only ever had a savings account which she has had with the Halifax for about 20-30 years.  Her pension is paid into this account.

I popped to the Halifax with her to see if she could have a current account set up but they said either she had to do it online or she needed a driving license or valid passport.

Mum does not drive, her passport has expired and an internet account is not ideal.

I need to find a high street bank that can allow mum to set up a current account with utility bills etc as proof of ID.  Is this possible?  

If not I think I may have to splash out £95 for a new passport.

DullGreyGuy

Keith1974 said:

Traditionally my dad pays the bills and has the direct debits etc set up in his account.  His is unwell.

My mum has only ever had a savings account which she has had with the Halifax for about 20-30 years.  Her pension is paid into this account.

I popped to the Halifax with her to see if she could have a current account set up but they said either she had to do it online or she needed a driving license or valid passport.

Mum does not drive, her passport has expired and an internet account is not ideal.

I need to find a high street bank that can allow mum to set up a current account with utility bills etc as proof of ID.  Is this possible?  

If not I think I may have to splash out £95 for a new passport.

just because she sets it up online doesn't mean she has to use it online after that, with an online application it will try to do digital ID and may or may not require secondary proof afterwards. 

To open an account in person/by paper you will normally need to proofs, one is a proof of your ID and the other is a proof of your address. The utility bill can be used for the later but clearly doesn't prove its her that its addressed to rather than something you fished out a bin. 

Each bank publishes what it will accept as proofs and it does vary a little. for ID its typically a passport or photo driving license (full or provisional).

Does she have a bank card for her savings account? Looking at the Halifax's website they state they'll accept it with her showing she knows her pin as proof of ID

sheramber

If you cannot provide one of the items above, you will need to bring two documents. One document from each of the following lists instead:

Proving your identity

Proof of identity Current EU/EEA passport, photo driving licence or identity card. All other current signed passports. HMRC Tax Notification. Young Scots Card. Blue disabled drivers pass. Benefits entitlement letter. UK Armed Forces ID Card. Home Office Immigration Status Document accompanied by proof of right to reside. Home Office Application Registration Card. Northern Ireland Voters Card From Halifax website

Proof of address Current EU/EEA photo driving licence. Benefits entitlement letter. HMRC Tax Notification. Local authority tax bill for the current year. Utility bill (such as gas or landline phone bill) dated within the last six months. Bank, building society or UK credit union statement. UK, EU/EEA mortgage statement. Current UK provisional driver’s licence. UK credit card statement. Tenancy agreement issued by a solicitor, housing association, local council or reputable letting agency.

p00hsticks

And of the list posted above by sheramber, I've found in the past often the easiest (and often only) one on that left hand side is the 'HMRC tax notification'. I'm not sure if it is still as easy to get in touch with HMRC, but if you don't get sent a paper tax coding notice as a matter of course, they are happy to send you one of you contact them and say you need one for proof  of identification. 

that, together with the annual DWP Pension Service letter detailing either the rise in State Pension or about the Winter Fuel Payment, for the right hand side, should satisfy them. 

But personally I've encouraged my parents to renew passports even they no longer have any intention of going abroad, as the simplest way to get around these requests, which are getting more onerous all the time. 

Brie

How unwell is dad?  Could he make it into his branch and get mom added to the account?  She'd still need ID of course.  If he's too unwell to make it to the branch maybe someone from the bank can visit him at home or in the hospital.  They did for MiL when she was in hospital and needed to add me to her account as third party authority.

Nasqueron

Keith1974 said:

Traditionally my dad pays the bills and has the direct debits etc set up in his account.  His is unwell.

My mum has only ever had a savings account which she has had with the Halifax for about 20-30 years.  Her pension is paid into this account.

I popped to the Halifax with her to see if she could have a current account set up but they said either she had to do it online or she needed a driving license or valid passport.

Mum does not drive, her passport has expired and an internet account is not ideal.

I need to find a high street bank that can allow mum to set up a current account with utility bills etc as proof of ID.  Is this possible?  

If not I think I may have to splash out £95 for a new passport.

Keep in mind that you may be able to apply for a provisional licence (cheaper)
Also banks are closing branches, if she doesn't have access to the nearest town, the local bank branch may well vanish so she'd need to use the post office
She might find internet banking suitable once she looks into it 

xylophone

Is it possible to make Dad's account a joint account?

Otherwise, regarding Halifax

Your mother does have a benefits entitlement letter (state pension) and  a savings account statement from Halifax itself!



I simply cannot see why Halifax staff at the branch are proving so awkward.

Presumably she is also on the electoral roll?

wmb194

Keith1974 said:

Traditionally my dad pays the bills and has the direct debits etc set up in his account.  His is unwell.

My mum has only ever had a savings account which she has had with the Halifax for about 20-30 years.  Her pension is paid into this account.

I popped to the Halifax with her to see if she could have a current account set up but they said either she had to do it online or she needed a driving license or valid passport.

Mum does not drive, her passport has expired and an internet account is not ideal.

I need to find a high street bank that can allow mum to set up a current account with utility bills etc as proof of ID.  Is this possible?  

If not I think I may have to splash out £95 for a new passport.

Just apply online and see whether your mother's address and identity can be verified electronically. Whenever you do these sorts of things in person you'll be asked for physical ID and proof of address.

Katiehound

I would apply online.
 The account certainly does not need to be serviced online- she could be using the phone for transferring money etc. If she can be identified electronically that would be the easiest option.  If you can do that remember to check the box allowing paper statements

She is already an existing customer so I can't see a problem- Halifax can already prove who she is!

Maybe she needs to register for online access to her savings account or even for telephone services but once she has those she can then apply .

retiredbanker1

xylophone said:

I simply cannot see why Halifax staff at the branch are proving so awkward.

Presumably she is also on the electoral roll?

Simples! There is no money to be made in this situation.

See how they 'treat' customers  - most uneconomic things are pushed online (or away) only 'profitable' customers get appointments these days - nothing at all to do with Halifax staff - they are probably unhappy about this as you are - blame Charlie Nunn the big chief of Lloyds banking group.

xylophone

https://www.halifax.co.uk/accountopeningguide.html

If you're looking to open a bank account, you can apply online, in branch or by phone.

In most cases you will only need to produce one of the following:

• A current UK photo driving license
• Passport from the United Kingdom
• Biometric Residence Permit card

If you cannot provide one of the items above, you will need to bring two documents. You can find a full list of acceptable documents on our Proving your identity webpage.

If you do not have any of the items listed here we may be able to accept other items. Just ask a member of our branch staff or call 0800 056 0056.

The OP's mother has a benefits letter and has been a Halifax savings customer for over twenty years so presumably has statements.