What you need to do
We’ll only ask for the information we really need. We usually try to verify your identity electronically and we only request proofs of identity and address where that’s not possible.
If you’re already a Co-operative Bank customer
If you’re just applying for a new product, we’ll let you know if you need to provide paper proofs.
If you’re a new or returning Co-operative Bank customer
If you’re applying by internet, telephone or post, we’ll let you know if you need to provide paper proofs.
If you’re applying in person at a Co-operative Bank branch, you’ll always need to bring paper proofs.
Providing proofs of identity and address
When providing proofs, you need one document to prove your identity and one document to prove your address. You can either provide:
- An original document, or
- A photocopy of the document – you’ll just need to get it certified (ask a professional person to sign and date it to prove it is a real copy).
You can either send the documents to us by post or bring them into a local branch.
Before providing proof
To avoid any delay to your application, read the requirements carefully and make sure you:
- Do not use one document as proof of both your identity and your address, even if it appears in both lists – you need to provide a different document from each list
- Do not send us original photo ID – you need to provide certified photocopies of these or bring them into branch
- Take photocopies of both sides of photo ID, if relevant (such as a driving licence).
Proof of your identity (ID)
As proof of your identity, you can provide anything in your name from the table below:
If you’re under 18, you can also provide instead:
- Birth certificate
- NHS medical card
- NHS medical letter (issued within last 6 months)
- Current child benefit letter (issued within last 12 months)
- Adoption certificate
- Young Scots entitlement card
- Professional reference from a person in a position of responsibility (issued within last 3 months).
Proof of your address
As proof of your address, you can provide anything which mentions your name and your current address from this table:
If you’re under 18, you can also provide instead:
- NHS medical card
- NHS medical letter (issued within last 6 months)
- Letter about your parent receiving child benefit for you (issued within last 12 months)
- Professional reference from a person in a position of responsibility (issued within last 3 months)
- Letter from HMRC confirming issue of national insurance card (issued any date).
If you cannot provide one proof from each list
If you’re unable to provide one proof of identity and one proof of address based on the above list, please visit a Co-operative Bank branch or contact us on 03457 212 212. Call charges apply and lines are open 8am - 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm Saturday and Sunday. One of our advisers will be able to discuss with you any other proofs we can accept to open your account.
If you’re applying for a Student Account
As well as providing one proof of identity and one proof of address document from above, you’ll also need to provide proof that you’ve been accepted on a course and of your funding for that course.
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