Before we can process your application we need to confirm your identity, where you live, and that your nominated bank or building society account is in your name.
We know admin isn't the most exciting part of opening an account, but it’s important and we’re here to make it as simple as possible.
As part of UK money laundering regulations, we need to confirm who you are and where you live. It’s a standard requirement for all customers and helps keep your money safe.
We’ll usually try to confirm your identity electronically, using secure checks on trusted databases. Don’t worry, this won’t affect your credit score.
If we can’t verify your details this way, we need you to send us paper documents. We’ll let you know exactly what we need – whether it’s proof of your name, address, or both.
If you’re already a customer, you might not need to send anything else, we’ll tell you if more is needed.
We’ll need a copy of your passport, plus evidence of your settled status or indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
We can accept certified documents, but they need to be signed off by a solicitor or someone at an FCA regulated firm (like a bank).
Please make sure the certifier’s name, address, and contact details are clearly shown. We might need to get in touch with them to check.
A quick overview of approved documents
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Bank statements and utility bills must be current and active (they need to show some recent activity).
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If we ask for both name and address, the documents must come from different sources (e.g., not two bank statements from the same organisation).
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If your name has changed recently (like through marriage), we’ll need official proof – such as a marriage certificate – to link your old and new names.
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For children under 18 in full-time education, we can accept proof of address in a parent or guardian’s name (see List B below for more details).
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You may also use a PDF version of your bank/building society statement, or a PDF of your utility bill for residency purposes provided one of the following has been supplied for ID. 1) A valid UK machine readable passport (Non-certified photocopy acceptable) or 2) a valid full UK driving licence - photocard or old style paper (Non-certified photocopy acceptable)
Proving your linked bank or building society account
We’ll try to verify your nominated account (the one you link to your Manchester account in order to pay money in and out) electronically. If we can’t, we’ll ask you to send us something that shows the account is yours – like a statement or letter (see List C below for more details).
Where to send your documents
You can drop your documents into our King Street branch, or post them to:
Manchester Building Society
PO Box 995,
Wallsend,
NE28 5FR
Accepted documents
(Must show your forename and surname as a minimum)
- Valid UK/EU/non EU machine readable passport (non-certified photocopy acceptable)
- Valid full UK driving licence - photocard or old style paper (non-certified photocopy acceptable)
- Valid full Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (certified photocopy)
- HMRC tax code notification (dated within 12 months)
- Birth/adoption certificate (18 and under in full time education)
- Valid UK biometric residency permit (BRP) confirming ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’ or 'Settled Status'
- Power of Attorney document stamped by the Office of the Public Guardian (donor only)
- Government DWP pension statement (dated within 12 months)
- Valid disabled blue badge parking photocard
(must show your forename and surname as a minimum)
- Valid full or provisional UK photocard driving licence - photocard or old style paper (non-certified photocopy acceptable)
- Valid full Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (certified photocopy)
- UK bank/building society statement (dated within 3 months)
- Mortgage statement (dated within 12 months)
- Gas or electricity statement (dated within 3 months)
- Landline phone or broadband bill (dated within 3 months)
- Water bill (dated within 12 months)
- Student loan statement or confirmation letter (dated within 12 months for age 21 or under)
- Residential care home/invoice on letterhead (dated within 3 months)
- Council tax bill (dated within 12 months)
- HMRC correspondence relating to tax liability (Not P45 or P60 and dated within 12 months)
- Government DWP pension statement (dated within 12 months)
- Letter from the Benefits Agency confirming entitlement to state benefits (dated within 3 months)
- Stamped Court of Protection Power of Attorney document. (donor only)
- National Insurance number confirmation letter (under 18s only)
- Local authority tenancy agreement (dated within 6 months)
- Reference from Commanding Officer (armed forces for BFPO) (dated within 3 months)
To confirm ownership of your chosen bank or building society account, please provide a bank statement as proof. Your statement must:
- Show your full name (first name and surname)
- Show your sort code and account number
- Be dated within the last 3 months
- Show activity during this period
- Not have a zero balance or be a closed account
- A PDF version is acceptable, this does not have to be a certified or original copy