Photo id for ISA mandatory?

dunstonh

Is this correct?

Identifying the individual is a requirement.   Nowadays, most use the electronic verification system, but if you fail that ceck , then you need to revert to the old way, which includes a photo ID (DL or passport).    Also, if you have been flagged for enhanced checks, then again, photo ID would be expected.    

NorfolkCanary

Recently opened an ISA with T212 and account with Ulster, and they required a live photo (as well as imagery of DL or passport) was rather surprised as this hasn't been requested before, but hey-ho

friolento

NorfolkCanary said:

Recently opened an ISA with T212 and account with Ulster, and they required a live photo (as well as imagery of DL or passport) was rather surprised as this hasn't been requested before, but hey-ho

Many of the more recent financial institutions require photo ID and selfies if they cannot electronically verify you. They are obliged by their licence to verify the ID of customers, for any product, not just ISAs. 

ProcessMatters

That’s been my experience too. It’s not that ISAs specifically need photo ID, it’s just standard ID/KYC now. Most providers try electronic checks first, and if that doesn’t pass they fall back to photo ID / selfie. Feels new because it’s become much more common in the last couple of years.

Bigwheels1111

Just opened an isa with Gatehouse bank, was a transfer in of an old isa.
I have a savings account with them already.
No ID needed.
Most of these online banks I’ve opened accounts with do want photo id.
Caused me a few issues last year as moved and license took 6 weeks to be returned with new address.
Then passed my PCV, license gone for 4 more weeks.

Kim_13

friolento said:

artyboy said:

badger09 said:

caper7 said:

I don't mind at all Nat West implementing whatever level of id verification they want, I just want to check if it's true that it's a mandatory UK regulation, given other banks have not requested photo id for an ISA.

Photo ID is not ‘a mandatory UK regulation’ for opening an ISA.  

Indeed, it's an anachronistic, if not downright disingenuous statement from Natwest. The law does not require it. Their own internal risk processes might require it. 

When it comes to KYC, banks have a tendency to blame the law for their own inflexible, outdated, or just excessively risk averse processes. It's like some sort of trump card they think no one will call BS on. Most of the time they are right.

What is inflexible, outdated or excessively risk averse about Government issued photo ID? Most countries in the world, including the UK, issue some form of it, as a convenient means for citizens to provide proof of their ID where required.

As of January 2026, there are approximately 42.9 million full driving licences held by drivers in the UK, the vast majority of which now are of the photo-ID variety. About 86% of the UK population holds at least one passport. That's around 58 million passports. Only about approximately 2.1 to 3.5 million UK adults (roughly 4% to 8% of the electorate) do not hold a valid passport or a driving licence. Whilst there is no law that requires you to produce a photo ID to your bank when applying for an ISA or other financial product, it seems the easiest document with which to prove you are who you say you are.

I can't see how insistence on photo ID could be seen as anything other than excessively risk averse and inflexible, since alternatives are refused no matter how many items you can provide to support that you are who you say you are. If it is good enough to vote with, it ought to be good enough to open an ISA (which would include accepting an out of date passport where the holder can be recognised from the photo or a proof of name change where this applies - it's full fee to change a name on a passport, but free on a driving licence, so most will leave the former until they actually need to get a new one.)

While I see the logic for a selfie, these are more likely to cause an issue for people with esotrophia for instance, if they are unable to look straight ahead sufficiently for the technology's satisfaction. Whatever adjustments might be in place for people in issuing the ID, there is no workaround if you cannot capture an acceptable selfie. Some might allow you to have whatever you can capture submitted to a human for checking eventually, but it is not unheard of for an application to be thrown out if the selfie doesn't go smoothly.

The only thing it isn't is outdated, since as you say, most people have one or the other. Photo ID is a convenient way to prove you are who you say you are - if you have one. 

In this case, I suspect that it is just the way NatWest have decided to do things. Saying it is legislation will shut the issue down the vast majority of the time - there is no point complaining to the bank about that, since they don't get a choice in legislation. This is taken from their page for Fixed Rate ISAs: 

"To open Fixed Rate ISAs, we’ll need your email address and mobile number. You can get started:

On our mobile app

Online

By telephone (for existing customers only)

In branch. Bring along your own digital device, such as a mobile or tablet. Our staff will then help you to open the account yourself"

The fact they ask for a digital device to be brought along suggests the branch option is only there for those who struggle with online, and that they will be following that process - not so they can check and accept other forms of ID. The online process keeps their costs down and their Fixed Rate ISAs have more favourable terms than many others, so it is probably how they fund those. You could try opening a different product in branch first with alternative ID, then an ISA application may go through as an existing customer. I wasn't asked for any when I applied as an existing customer 2.5 years ago.

friolento

WillowLeaf said:

Seems a bit strange to want photo ID rather than just ID, when they will never see your face, especially at the rate they close branches.

They do normally see your face as you have to also take a selfie / record a short video when you need to upload an image of your photo ID. Where you are required (e.g. by Lloyds or Barclays) to go to Branch with your photo ID, they obviously do see your face, too.

YBR

Are there any Other forms of Photo ID that can be used? I know a number of non-drivers, and a passport is not mandatory, both can be costly to get/renew - just wondered who will struggle with this?

Kim_13

YBR said:

Are there any Other forms of Photo ID that can be used? I know a number of non-drivers, and a passport is not mandatory, both can be costly to get/renew - just wondered who will struggle with this?

Usually only a passport/ID card from another country. Bus passes and Blue Badges are council issued so don't meet the requirements of those (usually app based) insisting on government issued ID.

High Street banks usually take the latter in branch. Not great when they are closing them, so an original bank statement/utility bill/HMRC coding notice is the cheapest way to prove ID if you don't/can't drive or travel - but the choice of accounts will be restricted to those who will accept that sent by post.

MattMattMattUK

Kim_13 said:

friolento said:

artyboy said:

badger09 said:

caper7 said:

I don't mind at all Nat West implementing whatever level of id verification they want, I just want to check if it's true that it's a mandatory UK regulation, given other banks have not requested photo id for an ISA.

Photo ID is not ‘a mandatory UK regulation’ for opening an ISA.  

Indeed, it's an anachronistic, if not downright disingenuous statement from Natwest. The law does not require it. Their own internal risk processes might require it. 

When it comes to KYC, banks have a tendency to blame the law for their own inflexible, outdated, or just excessively risk averse processes. It's like some sort of trump card they think no one will call BS on. Most of the time they are right.

What is inflexible, outdated or excessively risk averse about Government issued photo ID? Most countries in the world, including the UK, issue some form of it, as a convenient means for citizens to provide proof of their ID where required.

As of January 2026, there are approximately 42.9 million full driving licences held by drivers in the UK, the vast majority of which now are of the photo-ID variety. About 86% of the UK population holds at least one passport. That's around 58 million passports. Only about approximately 2.1 to 3.5 million UK adults (roughly 4% to 8% of the electorate) do not hold a valid passport or a driving licence. Whilst there is no law that requires you to produce a photo ID to your bank when applying for an ISA or other financial product, it seems the easiest document with which to prove you are who you say you are.

I can't see how insistence on photo ID could be seen as anything other than excessively risk averse and inflexible, since alternatives are refused no matter how many items you can provide to support that you are who you say you are. If it is good enough to vote with, it ought to be good enough to open an ISA (which would include accepting an out of date passport where the holder can be recognised from the photo or a proof of name change where this applies - it's full fee to change a name on a passport, but free on a driving licence, so most will leave the former until they actually need to get a new one.)

While I see the logic for a selfie, these are more likely to cause an issue for people with esotrophia for instance, if they are unable to look straight ahead sufficiently for the technology's satisfaction. Whatever adjustments might be in place for people in issuing the ID, there is no workaround if you cannot capture an acceptable selfie. Some might allow you to have whatever you can capture submitted to a human for checking eventually, but it is not unheard of for an application to be thrown out if the selfie doesn't go smoothly.

The only thing it isn't is outdated, since as you say, most people have one or the other. Photo ID is a convenient way to prove you are who you say you are - if you have one. 

In this case, I suspect that it is just the way NatWest have decided to do things. Saying it is legislation will shut the issue down the vast majority of the time - there is no point complaining to the bank about that, since they don't get a choice in legislation. This is taken from their page for Fixed Rate ISAs: 

"To open Fixed Rate ISAs, we’ll need your email address and mobile number. You can get started:

On our mobile app

Online

By telephone (for existing customers only)

In branch. Bring along your own digital device, such as a mobile or tablet. Our staff will then help you to open the account yourself"

The fact they ask for a digital device to be brought along suggests the branch option is only there for those who struggle with online, and that they will be following that process - not so they can check and accept other forms of ID. The online process keeps their costs down and their Fixed Rate ISAs have more favourable terms than many others, so it is probably how they fund those. You could try opening a different product in branch first with alternative ID, then an ISA application may go through as an existing customer. I wasn't asked for any when I applied as an existing customer 2.5 years ago.

It may be risk adverse but it is not excessively risk adverse, it may be inflexible but it is not excessively inflexible. 

The aversion that some people have to photo ID is frankly bizarre.