What do you need to open a bank account?

What documents do you need to open a bank account?

To open a UK bank account, you’ll need to provide proof of your identity and address. Many banks will also check your credit history.

Proof of identity (ID)

This confirms to the bank that you are who you say you are. Most banks will usually accept one of the following:

• Valid UK passport

• UK photo driving licence

• Current EU or EEA passport, driving licence or identity card

• Biometric residence permit.

If you don’t have any of these, some banks might accept alternative documents such as a recent HMRC tax notification or benefits entitlement letter.

Proof of address

This shows where you currently live. Acceptable documents can include:

• Bank or credit card statement

• Council tax bill

• Tenancy agreement or mortgage statement

• Utility bill.

Some banks may also accept a letter from a university or college, or a UK credit union statement.

What’s acceptable as proof of address varies, so it’s best to check with the bank directly.

You might also need to provide proof of your income, such as:

• Payslips

• Bank statements

• P60 (issued at the end of the tax year)

• Letter from an employer

• Tax returns (if you’re self-employed).

Many banks will also check your credit history. That’s because you may be offered an overdraft facility with your bank account, and that’s a form of borrowing that requires a credit check. Banks also use a credit check to confirm you are who you say you are.

Can you open a bank account online?

Yes, you can open a bank account online with most banks. You’ll usually need to have photo ID and you may need proof of address too.

Some banks also let you apply via their mobile banking app. These often use facial recognition or video calls to verify your identity.

If you’d rather apply for a bank account in person – or you don’t have the required documents to open an online bank account – just visit your local branch.

What do you need to open a business bank account?

To open a business account, you’ll need proof of your identity and address, just like with a personal account. But you’ll also need to provide extra documents about your business.

Depending on the bank and your business type (sole trader, partnership, limited company), you might be asked for:

• Your business name, address, contact details and email

• Your Companies House registration number (if applicable)

• VAT number (if applicable)

• Details of company directors or partners

• Your estimated annual turnover

• Business plan or cash flow forecast (in some cases)

Some banks may carry out a credit check before approving an application.

You can’t compare business bank accounts with Compare the Market.

What do you need to open a joint bank account?

You can add someone to an existing bank account or open a new joint bank account.

If you’re adding a person to an existing account, that person will need to provide proof of identity and proof of address. They’ll also need to go through a credit check.

To set up a new joint bank account, each person will need to provide proof of identity and address, and you both might need to be credit-checked.

Some banks allow you to open a joint account online, while others might ask you to make an appointment at your local branch.

What do you need to open a child’s bank account?

Many banks offer accounts for children, typically with parental or guardian oversight. What you need depends on the age of the child.

Children under 16

A parent or guardian usually needs to open the account on their behalf. They’ll need:

• Proof of the child’s identity, a passport or birth certificate for example

• Their own proof of ID and address.

Teenagers aged 16-17

They can often open an account themselves, with parental or guardian consent. They’ll need:

• Proof of ID and proof of address

The set-up process differs by bank. Some let you open a child’s bank account online or via their mobile app, while others ask you to visit a branch to complete the application.

You can’t compare children’s bank accounts with Compare the Market.

Can you open a bank account without ID?

It’s not usually possible to open a bank account without photo ID. Most banks will ask for a driving licence or passport as proof of your identity, but they may accept alternative forms of ID, such as:

• Benefit statement

• Council tax bill

• Letter from a care home manager, refuge or homeless shelter

• Tenancy agreement

• Utility bill.

You could also consider applying for a basic bank account. These accounts have fewer features than a regular bank account, but can be a useful option if you’re experiencing financial difficulty or don’t have fixed accommodation.