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Identification Requirements
Applying for a new account
We and the other members of The Co-operative Group may use, analyse and access your information to maintain and develop our relationship with you. Information shared with the credit reference and fraud prevention agencies may be accessed by other organisations and used by us and them to prevent fraud and money laundering. By asking for this information it is harder for criminals to provide false information and to launder money through the financial system. It is also a major defence against other types of financial crime including identity theft.
Our
ID Requirement Guide tells you how many pieces and what type of identification is required to open a savings account for adults, children, joint accounts and also to take out a mortgage. You'll notice some items of ID appear in both lists, however please note, you cannot use the same item to confirm both your name and address.
Important points to note if opening a savings account
- Applying in branch
Please bring along original forms of identification, not photocopies, in case they're needed.
- Applying by phone
When you apply over the phone we will aim to verify your identification electronically, where possible, which should avoid us asking for any additional information at a later stage. Where this is not possible, we will write to you requesting further ID.
- Applying online
When you submit an application online we will aim to verify your identification electronically, where possible, which should avoid us asking for any additional information at a later stage. Where this is not possible, we will write to you requesting further ID.
- Applying by post
You will need to include identification documents as part of your application. However, for your security, we don’t recommend sending original copies of sensitive identification like passports or driving licences by post.
As an alternative, you may send us certified copies of sensitive identification, which can be certified at a Britannia branch, a UK solicitor or another bank or building society. If the ID is not certified at a Britannia branch, the person certifying the identification will need to use the following wording: “This is a true copy of the original which I have seen”, they’ll also need to sign, date, print their name and include their company stamp on the document. You'll still need to send original copies of other documents. We will return your identification documents to you soon as we can.
Where to send your forms:
Please send your documents to:
Britannia, Freepost (15796), C033, Leek, Staffordshire Moorlands ST13 5RG.
