Help us to Identify You

Why do we need documentary evidence?
In line with Money Laundering Regulations we are required by Law to have procedures in place to prevent criminals from using financial products or services to launder 'dirty' money. A key defence against money laundering is to prevent accounts being opened in false identities. When you open an account with HSBC you will be asked to provide evidence of your identity and confirmation of your address. The fact that we ask for this evidence is not because we suspect you of money laundering but because criminals try to appear to be law abiding citizens and therefore we need to request documentary evidence from all of our customers in order to be fully satisfied that they are who they claim to be.

How can this affect you?
In addition to fulfilling our legal responsibilities we aim to help combat financial crime and protect you from criminals who might otherwise use your name without your knowledge.

What proof of identity will you need?
The best documents are those that are issued by an official authority, cannot easily be forged and include a photograph. Typical items are a current Passport, National Identity card or photocard Driving Licence. Separate documents are needed to prove your identity and your home address. Please see below a list of examples.

List of Acceptable Identification

• Current passport.
• Current National Identity Card.
• Travel Documents (issued in the UK by the Home Office).
• Current EU Residence Permit (issued by the Home Office).
• Current full UK photocard driving licence (provisional licences are acceptable for U18s only).
• Current full UK driving licence (old style paper version).
• Brown Certificate of Identity (looks similar to a passport).
• Disabled parking document (blue or orange).
• HM Revenue & Customs tax notification.
• Construction Industry Registration card CIS4(P), CIS4(T), CIS(6), CIS(5).
• Recent Benefits Agency letter (Department for Works & Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, Benefits agency, Veterans Agency) confirming your right to benefits.
• UK birth certificate (U18s only).
• National Health/Medical card (U18s only).
• National Union of Students (NUS) card (Student accounts only).

Help us to Identify You

List of Acceptable Address Verification

• Council tax bill (valid for current year).
• Utility bill (dated within last 6 months).
• Telephone bill (dated within last 6 months) – mobile phone bills are not acceptable.
• Sky or Cable TV bills (dated within last 6 months).
• Credit card bill (dated within last 6 months). Certain conditions may apply for overseas financial providers.
• Bank, Building Society, Credit Union statement – showing current activity (dated within last 6 months). Certain conditions may apply for overseas financial providers.
• Mortgage statement from a recognised lender (dated within last 12 months).
• Home Office letter confirming right to work in the UK (dated within last 6 months).
• Disabled parking document (blue or orange).
• HM Revenue & Customs tax notification.
• Current Motor insurance certificate/schedule (a cover note is not acceptable).
• Tenancy Agreement (must be from a local council or reputable letting agency).
• Recent Benefits Agency letter (Department for Works & Pensions, Jobcentre Plus, Benefits agency, Veterans Agency) confirming your right to benefits.
• National Health/Medical card (U18s only).
• Conditional or unconditional proof of acceptance onto qualifying course – letter or slip issued by UCAS (Student accounts only).
• Local Education Authority (LEA) notice of financial support (Student accounts only).

Non-UK Residents

• Due to new legislation, Non UK residents must always present their Passport or National
• Identity card when applying for an account