Photo id for ISA mandatory?

mills112

MichaelAP said:

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When it comes to KYC, banks have a tendency to blame the law for their own inflexible, outdated, or just excessively risk averse processes.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What is inflexible, outdated or excessively risk averse about Government issued photo ID?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 If it is good enough to vote with, it ought to be good enough to open an ISA (which would include accepting an out of date passport where the holder can be recognised from the photo or a proof of name change where this applies - it's full fee to change a name on a passport, but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

the government had proposed ID card for everyone many years ago, like everywhere else in the world, but it did not receive public support as it was expensive per person.  i do think we all need to have an ID card.  however, the passport is a better value document than the ID card as it doesn't cost much more and you can use it for travel as well, so it is better to get the passport even if you don't plan to travel as it still give you the chance to use it for travelling later should you want to, so dual purpose.

and obviously, anyone who drives, will have the driving licence.

eskbanker

mills112 said:
the government had proposed ID card for everyone many years ago, like everywhere else in the world, but it did not receive public support as it was expensive per person.

My recollection is that public objections were more around principles, such as privacy and civil liberties, rather than cost?

happybagger

mills112 said:

 like everywhere else in the world,

Interesting comment...are you sure?

dunstonh

masonic said:

dunstonh said:

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.

The reference numbers on passports and DLs can be validated against a database.  So, even where a face is not seen, the data can be validated.    For those not using that system (often the newer deposit takers or investment companies) they will use a selfie and ID cross match.  

There are two things that need to be established for identity verification using a physical document: 1) the photo in the document has not been tampered with (solved by the digital copy), and 2) the individual applying for the account is not committing identity fraud (solved by either seeing their face or having a trustworthy individual certify the document is a true likeness of the applicant). Some financial firms forego (2) and use other measures such as carrying out part of the onboarding process via post to the confirmed address of the applicant. Where the process is fully online, then a selfie is a pretty important security measure.

However, if the firm is using the electronic check, there is no need to validate the actual photo if there is sufficient data to tip it into a pass instead of a fail.      The passport number or photo DL number can be two of the things that make it sufficient to pass.   You don't need the photo in that scenario.

If an enhanced check is required or the electronic check fails (even after reference numbers from passport/photo DL), then absolutely, the true likeness validation is important.

There is some API style checking software where the online banks set the selfie method as default.   I use the same software as some of those (it's the UK's largest provider), and that has the selfie method available to use.    The difference with online banks is that they want to automate as much as possible, and the API and selfie method allows them to do that.   

eskbanker

happybagger said:

mills112 said:

 like everywhere else in the world,

Interesting comment...are you sure?

Indeed:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_identity_card_policies_by_country#Countries_with_no_identity_cards

masonic

dunstonh said:

masonic said:

dunstonh said:

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.

The reference numbers on passports and DLs can be validated against a database.  So, even where a face is not seen, the data can be validated.    For those not using that system (often the newer deposit takers or investment companies) they will use a selfie and ID cross match.  

There are two things that need to be established for identity verification using a physical document: 1) the photo in the document has not been tampered with (solved by the digital copy), and 2) the individual applying for the account is not committing identity fraud (solved by either seeing their face or having a trustworthy individual certify the document is a true likeness of the applicant). Some financial firms forego (2) and use other measures such as carrying out part of the onboarding process via post to the confirmed address of the applicant. Where the process is fully online, then a selfie is a pretty important security measure.

However, if the firm is using the electronic check, there is no need to validate the actual photo if there is sufficient data to tip it into a pass instead of a fail.      The passport number or photo DL number can be two of the things that make it sufficient to pass.   You don't need the photo in that scenario.
If an enhanced check is required or the electronic check fails (even after reference numbers from passport/photo DL), then absolutely, the true likeness validation is important.
There is some API style checking software where the online banks set the selfie method as default.   I use the same software as some of those (it's the UK's largest provider), and that has the selfie method available to use.    The difference with online banks is that they want to automate as much as possible, and the API and selfie method allows them to do that.   

When electronic checks pass, there should still be some form of verification that the applicant is indeed who they claim to be, normally by demonstration that they can receive mail at the confirmed address. Without this all that has been confirmed is that somebody knows the personal details of a real individual.

If I know your name, address, DOB, NINO, etc, there needs to be something that prevents me from opening an account in your name. Requiring me to produce your passport or passport number makes this harder. Requiring me to complete my sign-up using information sent in the post means I would have to be able to intercept your mail. Without the latter it becomes far more important to establish that I am the individual photographed in your passport, which it would be clear I am not. Fully online services tend not to use postal services at all, meaning everything is confined to their app.

If current systems still have this weakness, then further tightening is likely. But I cannot recall a recent account I have opened that did not require either a selfie, for me to prove I could receive mail addressed to me, or for savings and investment accounts, that I already had control of a current account in my name (which I suppose is the third way of asserting I am applying in my own name, using Open Banking and/or registering a nominated account that withdrawals are restricted to).

poseidon1

masonic said:

ColdIron said:

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.

I'm mildly positive about it but a glaring problem with using it as a replacement for this purpose seems to be that in order to register with it you need the very forms of ID that you haven't got. It's all a bit Catch 22

I'd be very surprised if there is not an equivalent enrolment process as is used for a first passport or driving licence. Those who do not have either document already will not have been unable to get one, it's that they'll have no need for them and don't want to pay a not insubstantial sum for something they don't need.

Seems they will attempt to address the catch 22 scenarios with supposed  ' additional options/ caseworker support' as stated below -



"    I don’t have a passport or driving licence - how will I get a digital ID?

For UK citizens and legal residents without any form of valid photo ID there will be additional options for proving identity.

For particularly challenging cases, personal support from a caseworker will be available.

This will be necessary to support inclusion for all eligible for a digital ID."  

Section62

x44 said:

MichaelAP said:

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 recently help someone apply online for a Blue Badge (this was one of the councils that have their own system) and the requirements for photo ID were quite clear. I ended up scanning their driving licence and uploading it to meet the council's requirements - and take a new photo of them for the actual image to appear on the Blue Badge.

Councils shouldn't insist on photo ID (passport/driving licence) because (as already discussed in the thread) some people don't have them, and people needing a blue badge are more likely to be in the group not having a driving licence or passport.

They should always provide a range of alternative channels for confirming ID/verifying the photograph.

x44 said:

I suppose it figures - you want a blue badge so you can park nearby so you obviously must have a driving licence!

You don't have to drive to get a blue badge.  And children as young as 3 (younger in exceptional cases) are eligible. 

mills112 said:

...
and obviously, anyone who drives, will have the driving licence.

Bit of an assumption.  Also many people have a non-photo driving licence, and unless the government legislates otherwise this will continue for several more decades.

masonic

eskbanker said:

happybagger said:

mills112 said:

 like everywhere else in the world,

Interesting comment...are you sure?

Indeed:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_identity_card_policies_by_country#Countries_with_no_identity_cards

A shorter list than I would have guessed. But I suppose some countries have not been included at all on that page.

eskbanker

masonic said:

eskbanker said:

happybagger said:

mills112 said:

 like everywhere else in the world,

Interesting comment...are you sure?

Indeed:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_identity_card_policies_by_country#Countries_with_no_identity_cards

A shorter list than I would have guessed.

Me too, although it's immediately preceded by those who have voluntary ones, including the sizable populations of India, USA, Mexico, etc, plus the largest European nations:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_identity_card_policies_by_country#Countries_with_non-compulsory_identity_cards