what is suitable id for opening a bank account

[caz31]

my mother is 77 years old and wishes to open a bank account but she does not have a passport or driving licence. Does anyone know of any other id which would be accepted by the bank? Short of spending �66 on a passport which will never be used, we can't think of an answer.

[froggequene]

If you have a bank in mind, go down and ask them.

You might also want to consider one of the post office accounts.
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/content1 ?mediaId=19200177&catId=19100189

[dzug]

They normally want proof of ID and proof of address.

A birth certificate might suffice for the first and one or more utility bills for the second. But each bank has its own ideas.

[bensmum]

Depends what type of account she needs. I have just opened a basic account and they never asked for any form of ID. Mind you, although there is a cashcard I won't have a chequebook or overdraft facility.

[caz31]

Thanks for your replies, will approach the bank in person, their on-line requirements are pretty strict.

[WendyS]

Does your mother have a Council Tax bill, or an annual letter from the Benefits Agency telling her the amount of her State Pension jwhich she might be able to use to prove her identify. A recent gas, electricity or landline telephone bill might also be acceptable for verifying her address. Banks do have some leeway on accepting other identification documents for people who do not hold a passport or driving licence. She should contact the manager of the bank concerned and ask to speak to him. It's no use relying on the counter clerks. They have no authority to use their brain cells in such issues and if your mother is persistent and refuses to be fobbed off, she will probably succeed using the above documents.