Providing proof of identification and address

We need to verify the identity and address of the key parties to the business to meet legal and regulatory requirements. If you need to make any changes in the future, such as amending key business people (also referred to as key business people), we'll need to verify their identification too.

To open your business bank account, we'll need to verify your identity and gather some important details about your business. Here's what you'll need to provide:

• Proof of business address
• An explanation of what your business does
• Your businesses expected turnover (or current turnover, if it's an existing business)
• Information about the key parties involved in the business

Different business entities may require additional documentation. To help you prepare, you can use the guide to what we need at UK Finance, the UK’s leading trade association for Financial Services.

You can apply for a business account on our business account page.

You’ll be asked to verify your identity, as the lead applicant you’ll need to take a photo of a valid ID document along with a selfie. Once our checks are complete, we’ll be in contact.

If there are any additional applicants, they'll be sent a link to complete the identification process. They’ll also need to provide valid ID documents.

Please note we use Experian to perform identity checks. You can find out more about Experian Identity Evaluation by using the contact form on their website.

You’ll need to provide one form of proof of identity and one for of proof of address from the list below. We’re unable to accept one document as proof of both your identity and address, e.g. photocard driving licence showing name and address.

Proof of identity

For UK or Irish Nationals please bring one of the following to verify your identity:

• Full and current passport
• Full and current photocard driving licence (if not used as proof of address)
• A full and current 'old style' UK paper driving licence (issued before 2000 when photocard was introduced), only if not used as proof of address
• Current Northern Ireland voters card
• Current Firearms or shotgun licence
• Benefits/state pension notification letter - issued in last 12 months and confirming rights to benefits (only if not used as proof of address)
• HMRC Tax Notification e.g. notice of coding, HMRC annual statement which relates to the current tax year and less than 12 months old (we do not accept P45 and P60 certificates) (only if not used as proof of address)
• Current blue disabled drivers pass

If you're a national from a country outside the UK or Ireland please bring one of the following documents to verify your identity:

• Full and current passport with valid UK Visa or
• Valid UK Biometric Residence Permit

Proof of address

• Bank, Building Society or Credit Union statement, showing a minimum of 2 transactions and within the last 3 months. Please note TSB Bank statements are not accepted
• Utility bill (except mobile phone bill) dated within the last 3 months
• Council tax bill for current Council tax billing year and dated in the last 12 months
• Full and current UK photocard driving licence (if not used as proof of identity)
• A full and current 'old style' UK paper driving licence (issued before 2000 when photocard was introduced (if not used as proof of identity)
• Benefits or state pensions notification letter confirming the right to benefit issued within the last 12 months (if not used as proof of identity)
• HMRC correspondence relating to the current tax year and less than 12 months old (only if not used as proof of identity and (we do not accept P45 and P60 certificates)
• Jobcentre Plus letter dated within the last 3 months, containing your address and your allocated National Insurance Number (NiNo)

A key party is an individual who is associated with the business, depending on their role and instructions given they may be able to make changes or payments on the account.

If you’re unsure on who the key parties are on the account, please call us on 0345 835 3858, our lines are open  Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm (excluding bank holidays).

All key parties will need to provide identification, these include:

• Directors
• Sole traders
• Partners or members if you’re a Limited Liability Partnership or General Partnership
• Trustees
• Shareholders with 25% or more shareholding in the business
• Significant influencers i.e. Finance Director or Controller, who control business finances and account activity.
• Signatories only who are individuals you wish to give access to your bank account