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Proof of identity and address

To help protect you from fraud, we may ask you to prove your identity and address after you apply for a product.

Provide proof online
Provide proof in branch or by post

How we verify your identity

We only ask you for the information we really need – we only request proof of identity and address when we can’t verify your identity any other way. When we do ask you to provide proof, you can do this online, in branch or by post.

Ways you can provide proof

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Online with Onfido

It’s quick and easy through our secure online verification platform. It only takes a few minutes to:

  1. Upload photos of your documents.
  2. Take a selfie so we can compare it with your documents and make sure it’s you applying.

Provide proof online with Onfido

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In branch or by post

If you prefer, you can bring documents into a local branch, or send them to us by post. You can use:

  • Certified photocopies of the original documents
  • Original documents if you’re coming in branch.

Provide proof in branch or by post

  • Provide your proof online with Onfido

You can provide proof online using our secure identity verification partner, Onfido – it only takes a few minutes. You’ll just need to make sure:

  • You have your phone, tablet or computer, which has a working camera
  • You have your original documents ready, or photos of them you’ve already taken
  • You place the documents on something while taking the photos – do not hold them
  • You take the photos and your selfie in a brightly lit room.

You can read more about Onfido.

Step 1: Upload your proof of identity

  • What proof of identity do we accept online?

You can provide any of these original documents which is in your name:

  • Passport
  • Driving licence
  • National ID card
  • Residence permit.

Step 2: Take a selfie

We’ll ask you to take a selfie directly through Onfido’s website. We’ll compare with your documents to make sure it’s really you applying.

Step 3: Upload your proof of address

  • What proof of address do we accept online?

You can provide any of these original documents which mentions your name and your current address:

  • Bank or building society statement
  • Utility bill, such as electricity, water, gas, broadband, or landline (but not mobile phone)
  • Council tax letter
  • Benefits letter, such as Jobseekers, housing benefits, or tax credits.

We'll check your documents

We’ll let you know whether we’ve been able to verify you successfully, usually within 2 business days. A business day is usually Monday to Friday, apart from bank holidays.

Provide your proof online

What is Onfido?

We’ve partnered with Onfido for our online identity verification. Their digital identity tool is simpler, safer, and smarter – it only takes a few minutes to use and it’s powered by artificial intelligence.

So your application won’t be held up.

Onfido logo

Onfido processes photos of your documents and a selfie. They use AI-powered systems to check that it’s really you applying. In some cases, Onfido colleagues will also check the documents.

They store your documents for audit purposes, but only for as long as they need to.

You can read Onfido’s data storage policy.

Provide your proof in branch or by post

You can provide proof in branch or by post. You can read about what proof we accept.

Bring originals in branch

  1. Bring your original documents in branch.
  2. We’ll check your documents and take photocopies.

Bring certified copies in branch

  1. Take photocopies of your original documents – remember to capture both sides if needed.
  2. Get your photocopies certified by a professional person.
  3. Bring your certified copies in branch.

Find a branch near you

Send certified copies by post

  1. Take photocopies of your original documents – remember to capture both sides if needed.
  2. Get your photocopies certified by a professional person.
  3. Post your certified copies to us at:

The Co-operative Bank
PO Box 4931
Interface Business Park
Bincknoll Lane
Swindon
SN4 4PL

What proof do we accept in branch or by post?

The most popular forms of proof of identity we accept are:

  • Passport
  • Driving licence
  • Residence permit.

The most popular forms of proof of address we accept are:

  • Bank or building society statement
  • Utility bill, such as electricity, water, gas, broadband, or landline (but not mobile phone)
  • Council tax letter
  • Benefits letter, such as Jobseekers, housing, or tax benefits.

We also accept the documents in the table below. Proof of identity is marked ‘Identity’ in the ‘Proof of identity’ column. Proof of address is marked ‘Address’ in the ‘Proof of address’ column.

Please provide two different documents – one proof of identity and one proof of address.

Document
Requirement
Proof of identity
Proof of address
Document Passport
Requirement Currently valid; with certified translation if not in English
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address
Document UK photocard driving licence
Requirement Currently valid; full or provisional licence
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address Address
Document UK old-style driving licence
Requirement Currently valid; full licence
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address Address
Document EU/EEA photocard driving licence
Requirement Currently valid; full licence
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address Address
Document EU/EEA member state national identity photocard
Requirement Currently valid
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address
Document Biometric residence permit
Requirement Currently valid
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address
Document UK armed forces military ID card
Requirement Currently valid
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address
Document Northern Ireland electoral ID card
Requirement Currently valid
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address
Document Shotgun licence or firearms certificate
Requirement Currently valid
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address Address
Document Benefits letter, such as Jobseekers or state pension
Requirement Issued within last 12 months
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address Address
Document HMRC tax letter
Requirement Issued within last 12 months
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address Address
Document Court letter, appointing you Court of Protection or grant of probate
Requirement No date requirement
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address
Document Tenancy agreement or letter, such as from local authority, or housing association
Requirement Issued within last 12 months
Proof of identity
Proof of address Address
Document Utility bill, such as gas, electricity, water, landline (not mobile phone)
Requirement Issued within last 6 months
Proof of identity
Proof of address Address
Document Council tax bill
Requirement Issued within last 12 months or relating to current year
Proof of identity
Proof of address Address
Document Nursing or care home letter confirming your residency
Requirement Issued within last 1 month
Proof of identity
Proof of address Address
Document Statement or letter from a financial institution you’re a customer of, such as a bank, building society or broker
Requirement Issued within last 3 months
Proof of identity
Proof of address Address
Document Monthly mortgage statement
Requirement Issued within last 3 months
Proof of identity
Proof of address Address
Document Annual mortgage statement
Requirement Issued within last 13 months
Proof of identity
Proof of address Address
Document Student loan letter or statement
Requirement For current academic year
Proof of identity
Proof of address Address
Document Letter of introduction from university
Requirement Issued within last month for current academic year; provide along with valid passport or national ID card
Proof of identity
Proof of address Address
Document Birth certificate
Requirement No date requirement; you must be under 18
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address
Document NHS medical card
Requirement No date requirement; you must be under 18
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address Address
Document NHS medical letter
Requirement Issued in last 6 months; you must be under 18
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address Address
Document Parent’s child benefit letter
Requirement Issued in last 12 months; you must be under 18
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address Address
Document Adoption certificate
Requirement No date requirement; you must be under 18
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address
Document Young Scots entitlement card
Requirement No date requirement; you must be under 18
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address
Document Professional reference
Requirement Issued in last 3 months; written by manager; you must be under 18
Proof of identity Identity
Proof of address Address
Document HMRC national insurance card confirmation letter
Requirement No date requirement; you must be under 18
Proof of identity
Proof of address Address

Having trouble providing proof we accept?

If you’re unable to provide one proof of identity and one proof of address from the table, one of our advisors can discuss with you any other proof we can accept to open your account.

Please visit a Co-operative Bank branch or call us on:

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm and call charges apply.

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. You’ll need to provide this in branch or by post.

Not found what you're looking for?

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