Identification Required
Overview
To protect both your and our interests and in order to prevent fraud and money laundering, we require evidence of personal identity and address for all new accounts opened.
THIS APPLIES TO BOTH NEW AND EXISTING CUSTOMERS.
Proof of identity
This table describes the documentation we will need to see and copy before processing your application.
Type of business |
Documentation required |
| Sole traders |
- Letter headed paper or business card confirming business name
- For established businesses, a copy of your latest accounts
- Proof of personal identification e.g passport, driving licence
- Proof of residential address e.g. utility bill (not more than 3 months old)
|
| Partnership |
- Mandate from the partners on business letter head authorising the opening of the account and confirming which partners may operate it
- For established businesses, a copy of your latest accounts
- Proof of personal identification e.g passport, driving licence - all partners
- Proof of residential address e.g. utility bill (not more than 3 months old) - all partners
|
| Limited Company |
- Certificate of Incorporation
- A written resolution of the board of directors to open the account confirming who has authority to operate it (on company headed paper)
- For established businesses, a copy of the latest accounts
- Proof of personal identification e.g. passport, driving licence - all signatories
- Proof of residential address e.g utility bill (not more than 3 months old) - all signatories
|
| Charity |
- Registered charity number
- Copy of the charity's Constitution
- A written instruction, on the charity's letter head, signed by all officials including the official correspondent, authorising the opening of the account
- Proof of personal identification e.g passport, driving licence - all signatories and official correspondent
- Proof of residential address e.g utility bill (not more than 3 months old) - all signatories and official correspondent
|
| Clubs and associations |
- Copy of the Constitution of the club or association
- A written instruction, on the club's or associations letter head, signed by all officials including the official correspondent, authorising the opening of the account
- Proof of personal identification e.g passport, driving licence - all signatories
- Proof of residential address e.g utility bill (not more than 3 months old) - all signatories
|
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY US:
Originals or certified copies will be accepted. Copies sent through the post must be certified as being true by a UK lawyer, banker, authorised financial intermediary, MCCB regulated mortgage broker, accountant, teacher, doctor, minister of religion. The photocopy must be signed original seen and dated by that person whose full name, qualification, job title, address and telephone number must appear on the copy. Customers or customers' relatives may not certify the copy themselves.
We strongly recommend that you do not send important documents to us in the post.
Unfortunately, you cannot open an account with us until we have received suitable proof of identity and proof of address.
You can, if you prefer, send original documents to us.1 However, we cannot accept any liability for the safety of these documents whilst they are in the post.
You can invest up to £1 million with the Society.
1. We will take photocopies of the original documents and return them to you.
