Guidance on anti-money laundering and verifying your identity

In this guide you'll find information to help you understand why we request documents from you to verify your identity.

You can also view a PDF of this guide if you prefer.

Frequently asked questions

Identity documentation guidelines

Certification of documents

Photocopies certified by authorised signatories (solicitor or lawyer - registered in the UK, bank or building society official, financial advisor, mortgage broker, stock broker, actuary, post office official or accountant) are acceptable. The certifier must be easy to contact and not a family member.

Whilst we can accept original documents, we do not advise this as we are unable to accept liability for any loss or damage upon return.

Please ask the certifier to date and sign each page of the document stating ‘original seen’, print their name, role or position within the company and provide a contact telephone number and address. The certification must be dated within the last 6-month period.

Please supply one document from both section one and two (more information below). The same document cannot be used to cover both sections, and they must each come from a different source. If the document is not in English, a translation into English should be provided.

All documents will be returned as soon as possible.

Section one: evidence of personal identity

  • Current signed passport (If a certified copy, only the photo page is required).
  • Current signed UK / EEA photo-card driving licence (Full or Provisional), or blue disabled driver’s pass.
  • Current full UK driving licence (old version). Provisional licences are not accepted.
  • Recent evidence of entitlement to a state or local authority funded benefit, including housing benefit and council tax benefit or state pension (dated within the last year).
  • HMRC tax notification (dated within the last year). Please note that P45 and P60 documents are not acceptable
  • Shotgun licence or Firearms certificate.
  • Residence permit issued by the Home Office to EU nationals.
  • EEA member state identity card.
  • Northern Ireland voter’s card.
  • Self-employed registration cards for individuals and partnerships in the construction industry: CIS3 (partner); CIS4(P); CIS4(T); CIS5; CIS6.

Section two: evidence of address

  • Local authority tax bill (valid for current year).
  • Current signed UK / EEA photo-card driving licence (Full or Provisional), or blue disabled driver’s pass.
  • Current full UK driving licence (old version). Provisional licences are not acceptable.
  • Solicitor’s letter confirming house purchase or land registry confirmation.
  • Local council rent card or tenancy agreement.
  • Recent evidence of entitlement to a state or local authority funded benefit, including housing benefit and council tax benefit or state pension (dated within the last year).
  • Original utility bill no older than 3 months (not including mobile phone bill) or a certificate from a supplier of utilities confirming the arrangement to pay for the services on pre-payment terms.
  • HMRC correspondence addressed to the applicant at the stated address, dated within the last year.
  • EEA member state identity card.
  • Northern Ireland voter’s card.
  • Recent system-generated or signed documentation (not printed from the internet) from a regulated financial sector firm indicating that an account / investment / insurance relationship exists and which includes the account holder’s address.

If you need more information

We are here to help and if you require further assistance or information, please contact us.