What counts as ID and proof of address for Natwest

[bouteillebleu]

I currently need to show Natwest proof of ID and address in order to be added as a signatory to the Cambridge University Treasure Trap society account that we have there.

Finding out what they accept as ID and proof of address has been remarkably difficult. The list below is taken from a PDF about getting professional development loans, and I only found it when I applied Google to the problem (Natwest's own site search didn't seem to do so well).

The proof of identity you need to open an account with NatWest (new customers)
As part of our aim to protect existing and potential customers from the risks of fraud and to minimise the instances of money laundering, there is a requirement to undertake identification and address verification for ALL new accounts that are opened.
Please remember to bring along one of the following to your local branch:
Evidence of Identity
• A current signed passport
• A full UK driving licence
• A benefit book
• A UK armed forces identity card
• EU National ID card
• HM Revenue & Customs issued tax notification and correspondence
• Current firearms or shotgun certificate
• Police warrant card
AND one of the following:
Evidence of Address
• A gas, electricity or phone bill* (mobile telephone bills are not acceptable)
• A current council tax bill
• A bank or building society statement*
• A full UK driving licence
• Any letter from the Benefits Agency confirming rights to benefits at present
• House/Motor/Motorcycle/Boat insurance certificate or policy
We cannot accept photocopies.
Please note that you cannot use the same item to confirm both your name & address.
*These documents must be the most recent that you have received and not more than six months old.

I'm currently screwed because my bank statements are sent to my parents' house (I was under the impression, probably from parents, that changing address with a bank too often was a credit hit), and Duncan and James pay the utility bills.

ETA: Bonus inconsistency! Another of their pages - this one on applying for a mini cash ISA - has lists of valid ID and proof address, but they're not quite the same. Perhaps this is because it's a different thing that's being applied for - I hope that's it.

The proof of identity you need to open an account with NatWest (new customers)
As part of our aim to protect potential customers from the risks of fraud and to minimise the instances of money laundering there is a requirement to undertake identification and address verification for ALL new accounts that are opened.

Please remember to bring along one of the following to your local branch:

Evidence of Identity

* A current signed passport
* A full UK driving licence
* A benefit book
* A UK armed forces identity card

AND one of the following:

Evidence of Address

* A gas, electricity or phone bill (mobile telephone bills are not acceptable)
* A council tax bill
* A bank or building society statement

EDITED AGAIN: Ah ha, the Natwest site does have a page about ID requirements. Once more, the text is different from the other pages I found. This time it's in continuous prose rather than in a list.

When opening a bank account banks have an obligation to make sure that the person opening the account is who they say they are.

You have to be able to prove two things before you will be able to open a new account - who you are and where you live. These checks are necessary to satisfy money Laundering Regulations and apply to new and existing customers.
Who you are

Commonly accepted proof of who you are would be a Passport or Full UK Driving Licence (either a new photocard licence or the old paper style will do). You could also use a Police Warrant Card, Student Matriculation Card or Benefit Book or Notification letter from the Benefits Agency.
Where you live

You could use a current Council Tax bill or a Utility bill that is less than six months old. Alternatively a Tax Notification, Bank Statement, Driving Licence, Mortgage Statement or Home or Motor Insurance Certificate would all be acceptable as long as they showed your current address.

If you cannot produce any of these types of identification you should speak to your local branch who may be able to help you find some alternative forms of identification.

Comments

[king-of-wrong.livejournal.com]

I hate NatWest, since their policies essentially killed my company (and didn't do my personal finances any favours), so lots of sympathy.

Can you change your address to your parents' on the application (scrap it and start again, if necessary?) and then use a bank statement as proof of address?

[bouteillebleu.livejournal.com]

I think the method I may use is to change either my HSBC or my Nationwide account to my Cambridge address, and live with that. Depends how long such a change would take...

[duncanneko.livejournal.com]

Change the address and request an immediate paper statement - probably 2-3 days if they're competent. Ring up and ask.

You could go in and say "My housemates pay all the bills. What am I supposed to do, eh?" at them until they come up with something.

That said, we can probably find a tenancy agreement somewhere which would help.

[bouteillebleu.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I shall do that. I've just changed the address this evening - with internet banking it was relatively painless - so I'll phone them tomorrow and ask for an immediate statement.

I looked at the tenancy agreements and council tax forms today in hope, but:

1) the one in 2005 only has two signatures, wtf?
2) council tax is in our landlord's name, and
3) have we actually had this year's contracts yet? (2007/08, I mean.) Or are we just living on the assumption that we'll get the place for another year, and Virtualet haven't prodded us yet? You might want to prod them about it, in that case.

[gwyntar.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a plan. Good luck!

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Should I ask...?

[king-of-wrong.livejournal.com]

Depends if you expect an answer in an unlocked post ;)

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Do you know mair (aka flurble)? I have the distinct impression there are no consistent policies, they just make it up as they go along. Come to think of it, it does seem strange there's no-one at banks interested in helping with this sort of thing, it's depressing I'm just used to it.