Can you open a bank account without proof of address?

At a glance

• Most banks and building societies will need proof of address before you’ll be able to open an account with them.
• However there are a few providers who won’t ask for this, which can be helpful for expats, non-residents and those without a permanent address.
• Even if you don’t have a fixed address, you’ll need proof of ID before you can open an account.

When opening an account with a bank or building society, you will normally be asked to provide evidence of your identity and confirmation of your address. However, if you are homeless, or have been living abroad and are planning to move or return to the UK, this can pose a problem.

Even if you’ve lived in the UK all your life, having proof of residence can still be a problem if, for example, you’ve been renting a property with a partner and all the bills are in their name, if you've rented a room in a shared house and don't pay any bills, or if you are not on the electoral roll.

Having no credit history and no proof of address can hinder efforts to set up a new current account, which is often necessary to enable your employer to pay your wages and access social security benefits.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to go without. Although most banks and building societies expect you to have a UK address before you can open a bank account, there are some specialist products that have been designed for non-residents and those who don’t have a fixed address, which could be an alternative if you do not meet the standard criteria.

Why do most banks ask for proof of address?

Most banks need proof of address to comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) regulations, as well as “know your customer” procedures. They have strict rules to follow and being able to confirm both who you are and where you live are key parts of complying with those regulations, and although it can make things difficult for some individuals, it ultimately helps to prevent fraud and protect customers.

What banks may not require proof of address?

That said, some high street banks are able to cater to non-residents, expats and those without proof of address through an initiative between homelessness charity Shelter and the UK government. This builds on a collaboration between Shetler and HSBC which saw the provider offering special bank accounts for the homeless in selected branches; known as the No Fixed Address programme, it’s specifically for those experiencing housing difficulties who are receiving support from one of the partner charities, and does not require proof of address.

Now, this scheme has been expanded to include Lloyds, NatWest, Barclays, Nationwide BS and Santander, removing the barrier to financial inclusion for more people who may not have a fixed address.

Bear in mind that all banks are required to have alternative processes in place for those who can’t provide proof of address in order to avoid financial exclusion. If you’re struggling in this respect, always contact your local branch to see what alternative options are available.

Alternative providers

You may want to consider looking to alternative providers if you’re struggling to open an account with a high street name.

Digital-only banks may be an option, but their lack of physical presence means it can sometimes be more difficult to be accepted without proof of address, so always make sure to speak to the bank if you don’t have this evidence available.

Then there are providers such as Suits Me and similar e-money providers; these aren’t technically bank accounts but can be used for all usual payments (including transfers, debit card payments and direct debits), with no credit checks and often with more lenient options for providing proof of address. They may only require a “care-of” address, for example, or simply somewhere that they can send the debit card to.

Find a bank account if you have bad credit

If a poor credit history is making it difficult for you to open a bank account, it may be worth considering a specialist option designed to help those with bad credit.

See what options are available on our bad credit bank account chart.

Do basic bank accounts ask for proof of address?

If you can't meet the normal address verification requirements to open a current account, you may still be able to open a basic bank account. Basic bank accounts are offered by selected high street banks, making them ideal for those who would prefer to bank with a mainstream name rather than a digital challenger.

Bear in mind that there are alternative methods of identification which can usually be used to open this kind of account depending on your circumstances. Here’s a quick overview of some documents that can be used:

• A benefits entitlement letter issued by DWP, HMRC or your local authority, or an identity confirmation letter issued by the DWP or local authority.
• Letter from care home manager/warden of the sheltered accommodation or refuge.
• A letter from the warden of a homeless shelter, or from an employer if the customer is in work, should be sufficient evidence.
• A letter from the individual’s probation officer, or a hostel manager, would normally be sufficient.
• Letter from the governor of the prison, or, if the applicant has been released, a letter from a police or probation officer or hostel manager should be suitable.
• For international students, a passport or EEA national identity card and letter of acceptance or introduction from the university is often acceptable.
• For foreign nationals or expats working temporarily in the UK – whose lack of banking or credit history excludes them from being offered anything more than a basic bank account – a national passport or national identity card should be sufficient.

What are basic bank accounts?

Basic or free bank accounts are similar to standard bank accounts in that they allow you to easily conduct your day-to-day banking activities, but they rarely come with additional features (such as in-credit interest or cashback) and many don’t offer overdrafts either. Find out more in our free bank account chart.

What to do if you’re struggling to open a bank account with no address

If none of the above options are suitable, there are a couple of other things you can try. If you don’t have proof of address because your name is not on any bills, for example, speak to the person you're living with and ask if it would be possible for you to take on one of the bills in your name. This could take a month for the change to come through on a paper-based bill, which you can then use as proof of address.

Alternatively, you could apply for a prepaid card. These cards are great for students and those who have little or no credit history – they can be used much like a bank account and you can even have your wages paid into them, with little paperwork required and no unexpected bank charges. Plus, once the card is sent to your home, you can use the letter that comes with it as proof of address.

Can I use my parents’ address for my bank account?

Yes; in fact many people use their parents’ address as their permanent home address, particularly students or those who move around a lot. This saves them having to update addresses frequently and acts as their correspondence address, even if they’re technically living elsewhere. This could be a good way to start building up a credit history too – particularly if you’re on the electoral roll at your parents’ address – though ideally you’ll want to have other bills going to that address to act as proof of where you live.

What documents do you need to open a bank account?

Typically, you’ll need to provide proof of identity and proof of address in order to open a UK bank account. You may only need one of each, though depending on the bank and the documents you’re using, be aware that you may need additional options.

Proof of identity

Documents that you can use to prove your identity include:

• Passport (must be current)
• Valid UK driving licence (or a paper driving licence as long as the address is current, though in this case you may need another official document as additional proof, such as a council tax bill or utility statement)
• Provisional driving licence
• UK biometric residence permit

These are the main forms of ID you’re likely to use to open a bank account, though some banks will accept other documents as proof of identity as well. These can include:

• A benefit entitlement letter that’s less than 12 months old
• A UK Armed Forces ID card
• An HMRC tax notification from the past 12 months
• A Home Office immigration status document or registration card
• Birth certificate

Can I open a bank account without ID?

No – you’ll normally need some form of identification in order to open a bank account, even if you don’t have a fixed address. This doesn’t necessarily have to be photo ID but you’ll need to be able to prove who you are. However, there can be some exceptions, so speak to your preferred bank if you’re finding this difficult.

Proof of UK address

If you have a fixed address, here are a few documents you can use as proof:

• A utility bill (e.g. gas, water, electric, TV or landline phone bill) that’s less than three months old.
• A council tax bill issued within the current financial year.
• A UK bank or credit card statement that's less than three months old (internet statements aren't acceptable).
• A tenancy agreement or council rent book (must be current).
• A UK mortgage statement that's less than three months old (internet statements aren't acceptable).
• A catalogue or mail order statement that's less than three months old.
• A hire purchase statement of account.
• A pension book.
• A medical or NHS card.
• A car or home insurance certificate that has been issued within the past 12 months.
• Contract of employment, payslip or HMRC PAYE coding notice, or a letter from your employer (as long as it’s less than three months old).
• If you’re a student, a letter from your university that confirms your address.

Some banks may accept different methods of verification that aren’t listed here – make sure to speak to your potential provider if you’re unsure.

It’s important to note that passports, National Insurance cards or birth certificates are not classed as proof of address as these do not state your address, just your identity. Remember too that all documents must be the original, not photocopies. This applies to proof of ID as well.