Photo id for ISA mandatory?

Kim_13

MattMattMattUK said:

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When it comes to KYC, banks have a tendency to blame the law for their own inflexible, outdated, or just excessively risk averse processes.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What is inflexible, outdated or excessively risk averse about Government issued photo ID?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 If it is good enough to vote with, it ought to be good enough to open an ISA (which would include accepting an out of date passport where the holder can be recognised from the photo or a proof of name change where this applies - it's full fee to change a name on a passport, but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.

Opinions will vary on whether something is excessive.

I don't have an aversion to photo ID, but I do take exception people being expected to pay for something if they don't need it for any other purpose (i.e. they have no intention to travel or drive.) Especially since those who don't meet the medical standards to be issued with a driving licence through no fault of their own are then expected to get a passport, which is considerably more expensive. Those people automatically qualify for a bus pass.

The ID that someone can provide should be considered on a case by case basis to avoid excluding vulnerable people.

MattMattMattUK

Kim_13 said:

MattMattMattUK said:

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.

Opinions will vary on whether something is excessive.

I don't have an aversion to photo ID, but I do take exception people being expected to pay for something if they don't need it for any other purpose (i.e. they have no intention to travel or drive.) Especially since those who don't meet the medical standards to be issued with a driving licence through no fault of their own are then expected to get a passport, which is considerably more expensive. Those people automatically qualify for a bus pass.

The ID that someone can provide should be considered on a case by case basis to avoid excluding vulnerable people.

The penalties on banks for not handling KYC properly are huge, photo ID is the best way to do that so I totally understand their being risk averse. If I had to legally verify ID or face huge fines then I would not be accepting anything other than passports and photocard driving licenses.

Or solve it properly with an ID card, such as the one being introduced in a year or two...

MichaelAP

Kim_13 said:

MattMattMattUK said:

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.

Opinions will vary on whether something is excessive.

I don't have an aversion to photo ID, but I do take exception people being expected to pay for something if they don't need it for any other purpose (i.e. they have no intention to travel or drive.) Especially since those who don't meet the medical standards to be issued with a driving licence through no fault of their own are then expected to get a passport, which is considerably more expensive. Those people automatically qualify for a bus pass.

The ID that someone can provide should be considered on a case by case basis to avoid excluding vulnerable people.

100% agree with you Kim_13
I am a severely disabled ex-serviceman who no longer can drive and the art of travel is a huge effort. As such. I have no travel requirement for a Passport or Driving License.
However, the times I have been asked to provide photo verification when they will not accept anything other than the two mentioned devices above is insulting to say the least.
I am told to go purchase a Passport just to identify myself……. Why should I? Why on earth should I purchase a Passport when I have no desire for travel simply to appease those with such shortsighted methods.
I have a Blue Badge card that has my photo but no…. It is not allowed.

happybagger

Quite clearly the NatWest statement "For certain regulated products, including ISAs, a valid photo ID is mandatory under UK financial regulations" is false.

However they can choose to request whatever forms of ID they wish to satisfy the (correct) regulations.

Most institutions seem to be happy with electronic checks with credit reference agencies, others want more, and some seem go overboard with wanting to see moving video selfies.

Some years ago I visited a NatWest branch open a fixed rate ISA but they wouldn't do it even with a driving licence as photo ID, they wanted me to use my mobile to upload a video selfie. My phone does not have a working camera so they wouldn't allow me the account. All completely overboard in my view but their choice.

In the same way it was my choice to take my deposit elsewhere (Charter Savings, in the end).

Ironically, I became a NatWest customer without ever needing to provide any ID whatsoever as they took over Sainsbury's Bank.

badger09

happybagger said:

Quite clearly the NatWest statement "For certain regulated products, including ISAs, a valid photo ID is mandatory under UK financial regulations" is false.
…….

This ^^^^
Which is what OP asked. 

I agree 

happybagger said:

…….

However they can choose to request whatever forms of ID they wish to satisfy the (correct) regulations.

Most institutions seem to be happy with electronic checks with credit reference agencies, others want more, and some seem go overboard with wanting to see moving video selfies. 
…….

AstonSmith

MichaelAP said:

100% agree with you Kim_13
I am a severely disabled ex-serviceman who no longer can drive and the art of travel is a huge effort. As such. I have no travel requirement for a Passport or Driving License.
However, the times I have been asked to provide photo verification when they will not accept anything other than the two mentioned devices above is insulting to say the least.
I am told to go purchase a Passport just to identify myself……. Why should I? Why on earth should I purchase a Passport when I have no desire for travel simply to appease those with such shortsighted methods.
I have a Blue Badge card that has my photo but no…. It is not allowed.

I agree also, same problem my mother has. She is medically unfit to drive so can't apply for a provisional, and the travel to the passport office for the first adult interview would be extremely difficult as she is very frail. That would be if we could find a signatory to support any such application.

The DVLA or similar needs to make it possible for people to get photocards without a driving entitlement.

happybagger

"2.1 to 3.5 million UK adults do not hold a valid passport or a driving licence."

That's a very wide margin of error, suggesting an AI generated figure.
Either way, 3 million is a significant minority of the adult population, I'd suggest the vast majority of those would have a bank account, meaning there are ways around not having photo ID.

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
The issue OP had, was the statement from NatWest that it was mandatory to comply with "financial regulations"

it seems the easiest document with which to prove you are who you say you are.
Agree, it does simplify matters. but even that is not sufficient for some providers, who seem to insist on moving selfies.

NatWest's statement was false, but I'd simply just go elsewhere to be honest.

happybagger

MattMattMattUK said:

Or solve it properly with an ID card, such as the one being introduced in a year or two...

Even if this ever gets off the ground, it won't be mandatory so it won't solve it any more than the current passport does.

masonic

happybagger said:

MattMattMattUK said:

Or solve it properly with an ID card, such as the one being introduced in a year or two...

Even if this ever gets off the ground, it won't be mandatory so it won't solve it any more than the current passport does.

It doesn't have to be mandatory. The main advantage over the passport is that it will be free. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-id-scheme-explainer/digital-id-scheme-explainer

It will be required for anyone who wants to work or access certain services. So potentially will include workers, company owners, state pensioners and benefits claimants. Those of independent means may be able to give it the swerve though.

flaneurs_lobster

It's a version of the 95% rule. Applies to pretty much any process that has been automated.

95% of applications for ISAs at NatWest will happily include photo id and will sail through the highly automated process.

5% will not, and NatWest will have to decide how much resource they want to expend with exception processing.

This 5% will yield x, processing this 5% will cost y.

There are matters of PR (being bad-mouthed on MSE?) and legality (making provision for applicants' disabilities for example) but at the end of the day it's a commercial decision.