Skip to main content

What to bring when you pop in

What do I need to open a Personal Account?

Opening an account with us is easy and hassle-free – especially if you’re prepared. Having the correct documents will help to make sure that everything goes smoothly.

What you need to open an account

Download our requirement guide here to print off the full list of all personal ID documents you can use to open an account, or simply scroll down to see our requirements. 

Personal identification requirements PDF

Personal identification requirements - specific circumstances

Opening a Personal Current or Savings Account

1. If you’re a UK, EEA or Swiss National 

Proof of identity:

A valid passport / EU national ID card or UK driving licence is ideal. In most cases this will be all we need. 

See list of acceptable proofs of identity Hide list of acceptable proofs of identity

Photographic identity

  • Valid UK/EEA/Swiss Passport
  • Valid UK Full Photocard Driving Licence
  • Valid UK Provisional Photocard Driving Licence
  • Valid EU member state National ID Photocard
  • Valid firearms certificate or shotgun licence (not accepted for online applications)
  • Valid Passport/EU national ID Card means in date, undamaged and machine readable.

Unfortunately, we can’t accept handwritten passports or ID cards. We can only accept original documents, not photocopies. We also cannot open an account for Romanian nationals, unless we use their passport. We no longer accept Romanian IDs as proof of ID.

Non-photographic identity

If you’re heading in store to open your account and don’t have photographic ID, you’ll need to bring two proofs of address. We can only accept original documents, not photocopies.

  • Valid older style UK driving licence (no photo)
  • HMRC documentation (PAYE Coding Notice/Tax Notification/Self-Assessment/Statement of Account/NI contributions bill) issued in the last 3 months or valid for the current tax year. We can’t accept P45 or P60 forms
  • Notification letter from Benefits Agency/Local Authority confirming your right to benefits (Department for Work and Pensions including Jobcentre Plus, Benefits Agency or Veterans Agency), dated within the last 12 months.

Proof of Address (1 or 2 depending on circumstances):

It would be useful to have two types of address verification handy in case we’re unable to verify your name and address.

Show list of acceptable proof of address documents Hide list of acceptable proofs of address documents

Your proof of address documents must include your current address and a unique reference number to confirm your relationship with this provider. This unique reference number could be, for example, the DVLA number on your driving license or the account number on your utility or phone bill. We can only accept original documents, not photocopies or internet print-outs.

  • Current UK Full photocard driving licence
  • Current UK Provisional photocard driving licence
  • Current old-style UK driving licence (no photo)
  • Council Tax bill (valid for the current financial year)
  • HMRC documentation (PAYE Coding Notice/Tax Notification/Self-Assessment/Statement of Account/NI contributions bill) valid for the current tax year issued by Job Centre Plus dated within the last 3 months. We can’t accept P45 or P60 forms.
  • Notification letter from Benefits Agency/Local Authority confirming your right to benefits (Department for Works and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, Benefits Agency or Veterans Agency), dated within the last 12 months
  • Current Tenancy Agreement, from a local council or a recognised letting agency
  • Bank, Building Society, Credit Union statement, dated within the last 3 months
  • Credit card statement, dated within the last 3 months
  • Mortgage statement from a recognised lender, dated within the last 12 months
  • Life assurance/life insurance policy, dated within the last 3 months but outside of cancellation period
  • Motor insurance certificate, valid for the current year but outside of cancellation period – we can’t accept cover notes
  • Utility bill - gas, electricity or water, dated within the last 3 months
  • Telephone bill, dated within the last 3 months. We can’t accept mobile phone bills
  • Sky or cable TV bills, dated within the last 3 months. 

2. If you’re not a UK, EU, EEA or Swiss national

  • You can open an account in store with a valid passport containing your current visa (with at least 6 months left on it) or Biometric Residence Permit. You'll also need to bring 1 or 2 of the proofs of address listed in section 1 above.
  • Unfortunately, while we are working on accepting biometric visas, we’re unable open Current Accounts online for non-UK, EU, EEA or Swiss nationals at this time.

3. If you’re aged 11 to 15

If you’re aged between 11 and 15, please come in store with your parent or guardian to open a Cash Account. Parents or guardians need to provide the documents listed in section 1 or 2 for themselves, plus one of the following for the child opening the account:

  • valid passport
  • birth certificate
  • NHS Medical Card
  • Child Tax Credit documentation or Child Benefit documentation (if applicable)

4. If you're 16 or 17 and would like to open an account independently

You'll need to provide the documents listed in section 1 or 2, whichever is relevant to you. If you can’t provide them, we may need a parent or guardian to open your account.

5. If you're 18 or over and in full-time education

You'll need to provide the documents listed in section 1 or 2, whichever is relevant to you.

If we can’t verify your address electronically we can accept a letter of acceptance or letter of introduction from your college or university, if it’s appropriately registered (ask us for details).

6. International Students

If you’re an international student, you’ll need to provide a valid passport and student visa (with at least six months remaining).

In case we’re unable to verify your name and address electronically, it would be useful to have two types of address verification handy (see section 1. Proof of Address for a list of acceptable types).

If you are unable to provide two types of address verification from Section 1, a letter of acceptance or introduction from a UK education institution is acceptable.

7. Specific circumstances

If you can’t provide some of the documents we normally need for verification you can still apply for our Cash Account and/or savings accounts, and we’ll accept the following:

Asylum seekers:

  • BRP card or,
  • IND Application Registration Card (ARC) issued by the Home Office

    and both of the following proofs of address
  • Confirmation of Asylum support allowance or other income from HMRC, DWP etc. Dated within the last 12 months and,
  • Proof of address from section 1

We no longer accept ARC Cards which do not have a expiry date.


Refugee: If BRP is not held, one of the following

  • Immigration Status Document with Residence Permit, or,
  • IND travel document

    and both of the following proofs of address
  • Government/Local Authority issued document (Council Tax bill, confirmation of benefits etc.)
  • One additional proof of address (please see What you need to open an account document)

People in care homes or sheltered accommodation:

If you cannot provide photographic identification, we can accept a letter from the Manager or Matron of your care home issued within the last three months

Take a look at the template here to provide to the care home if required.


Child Care Leavers:

If you cannot provide photographic identification, we can accept a letter from your Personal Advisor (PA), Social Work or Care Home issued within the last three months

Take a look at the template here to provide to the PA, Social Worker or Care Home if required.


Sheltered accommodation:

If you cannot provide photographic identification, we can accept the following issued within the last three months:

  • Letter from the Manager/Matron/Warden of the sheltered accommodation/homeless association
  • Short Term Tenancy Agreement or Licence Agreement (this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis)
  • Benefits confirmation letter issued by a UK Government agency (this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis

Hostel Accommodation:

If you cannot provide photographic identification, we can accept a letter from the Manager or Matron of the hostel issued within the last three months.

  • Letter from the Hotel Management issued within the last three months
  • Short Term Tenancy Agreement or Licence Agreement (this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis)
  • Benefits confirmation letter issued by a UK Government agency (this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis

British Armed Forces:

  • Valid photo ID and visa (if applicable).
  • We may need additional documentation for residency: 1 or 2 proof(s) of address from section 1. Proof of address

    Or 1 from Section 1. Proof of address and either:
  • Barracks Bills
  • Mess Bills Payslips
  • Signed letters from the unit confirming residential address.


What you need to open an account - specific circumstances

 

8. Tax residency

We have a legal requirement to obtain tax status for any personal and sole trader customers. Please come prepared to complete details confirming if you are resident for tax in the UK and/or any other countries.

  • If you’ve always lived in the UK then you’re likely to be a UK tax resident
  • If you’re a resident for tax in any other country please bring your Tax Identification Number or Tax Reference Number
  • If you’re unsure of your status, you should seek professional advice

Some things you may like

Banking with us

What I need to open an account

You can open your account on the same day providing relevant checks have passed. Having the right documents will help make the process go smoothly.

FSCS

Protecting your money

Your eligible deposits with Metro Bank are protected by the FSCS.