How to Easily Open a Bank Account Online Without an ID

How to Open a Bank Account Online Without an ID

When you open a bank account, one of the requirements will usually be to provide proof of ID. These requirements are in place to help prevent money laundering and other illegal financial activity. 

However, for people who do not have a valid passport or driving licence, trying to find a way to open a bank account can be frustrating. If you have had a bank account application declined or you are worried you will not pass the ID requirements for opening a standard bank account in the UK, there are some alternative options for opening a bank account that will not require these documents. 

There can be lots of reasons why some people do not have ID documents such as a passport or a driving licence, but they still require a bank account for everyday finance management such as paying bills or receiving wages or benefits. 

In this article, we explain the available options for opening an online bank account without an ID and how to do it. 

Which Documents are Required to Open a Bank Account?

Most banks require a photo ID for the applicant to prove their identity but if you do not have a driving licence or passport, there are still options available for opening an online bank account. 

Some banks will accept other documents such as:

• Utility bill
• Council Tax bill
• Tenancy agreement
• Benefits statement
• Immigration status letter
• Letter from employer/place of study

No ID? - Online Bank Account Options

If you do not have a passport or it has expired and you do not drive, you can still open an online bank account without these types of photo ID, but you will have less options and some account limitations. 

These are some of the best online bank account options for applicants with no passport or driving licence ID:

Suits Me Essential Current Account

Suits Me provides online accounts for people with no photo ID, by accepting alternative forms of ID including:

• Benefits letter
• National Insurance card
• Council Tax letter
• Utility bill statement
• Tenancy agreement
• Insurance policy 
• Mobile phone bill

Suits Me has three types of account; Premium Plus for £9.97 per month, Premium for £4.97 per month and Essential which is a pay as you go account. You can open an online bank account with no ID in minutes with Suits Me, with features such as contactless debit card, electronic payments, ATM withdrawals and online money accounts.

HSBC Basic Bank Account

HSBC also offers a basic bank account that can be opened online without photo ID. HSBC accepts the following as ID proof: 

• Home Office travel documents
• Benefits agency letters 
• Letters from a person in a position of responsibility such as social worker, GP or hostel manager

They also require proof of address including Council Tax bills, tenancy agreements, or a letter from place of study or employer. While this account does not offer any credit, it includes contactless payments and a banking app to manage your money online.

Prepaid Card Accounts

Another option if you are struggling to find a bank that will allow you to open an online account with no ID is to use a prepaid card account. You simply add money onto your card in advance and then you can use it to make card payments, withdraw cash from cash machines and you can have wages or benefits paid directly onto your prepaid card account.

The best options for prepaid cards include:

Tesco Clubcard Pay+

You will need to open a Tesco Clubcard to be eligible for the Clubcard Pay+ account from Tesco Bank. The prepaid card allows you to pay for everyday spending with the Clubcard Pay+ debit card and you will also receive 1 Clubcard point for every £1 spent when you use your card in Tesco and 1 point when you spend £8 anywhere else.

HyperJar

HyperJar is a prepaid card that you manage from the HyperJar app. The account includes a prepaid debit card and there are perks such as cashback when you purchase gift cards and discounts at selected retailers.

Pockit

Pockit accounts are prepaid accounts that allow you to pay your salary into your account, pay in via bank transfer or load cash via PayPoint. You can then use your Pockit card to make payments and withdraw cash from ATMs.

Credit Unions and Community Banks

Opening a credit union account could be an option to set up an online banking account that includes a debit card. If you do not have a passport or photographic driving licence, some credit unions and community banks will accept documents such as a benefits award letter, along with proof of address such as a utility bill.

Most credit unions have an online application process so you can easily open a new bank account online.

How to Open an Online Bank Account Without ID – The Application Process

• Compare options

If you want to open a bank account online without ID, you will need to review the options to find the best account to suit your needs. Compare the costs such as monthly fees, application fees, withdrawal fees and any other types of fees included in the terms of the account. Also check the perks such as cashback and discounts to help you to choose the one that will be most valuable to you. Also consider how easy it is to use the account - do they have an app, for example?

• Complete the online application process

When you apply for an online bank account, you will need to complete the following steps:

• Enter your contact details such as name, address, email address.
• Select the document type from the accepted list of the provider
• Upload a copy of the document(s) and submit
• Wait for the application response (this often takes just a few minutes

• Start using your new bank account

Once your application has been approved, you can start using your account by downloading the app or using the online banking login details they provide. If you have a debit card, this will be sent to your address.

FAQs

Can I open a bank account in the UK if I have no photo ID?

Yes, there are some banks that will allow you to open online accounts without a photo ID. They will usually require other documents to prove the applicant’s identity, such as utility bills and letters from employers or a benefits agency.

Do I have to go into the branch to open a bank account?

The application process for a bank account varies depending on the lender but there are many bank accounts that can be opened online, without the need to go into a branch.

Can I open a bank account with no credit history?

Yes, you can still open a bank account with poor or no credit history, but you will usually be limited to basic bank accounts which do not provide credit. Most basic bank accounts do not require you to pass a credit check.