Documents that prove your identity and address
Like all financial institutions in the UK, we're required by law to check your identity and address when you apply to invest with us or register for our online service. We might also need to check your identity at other times, to keep our records updated.
How we do this
We normally check your identity and address electronically through a credit reference agency. If this is unsuccessful, we'll ask you to send us some documents instead. We’ll explain which documents you can send and how you can send certified copies, instead of the originals. You can also find out what to send us and how to certify your copies in the FAQs below.
FAQs
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We require:
- One document giving proof of your identity (see our list below)
- One document giving proof of your address (see our list below)
These lists are for customers living in the UK. If you live outside the UK (Rest of the World), please see "What if I live outside the UK?" below.
You cannot use the same document for proof of both your identity and address (such as your driving licence).
For valuable documents like passports and driving licences, we recommend you send us certified copies instead of the originals. We explain how to do this below. If you do choose to send originals, please use a secure postal service.
Just so you know, we can’t accept:
- Documents that have been altered in any way
- Printed copies of online documents
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As part of your online application, we may ask you to upload proof of your identity in the form of a JPEG/TIFF photo (no larger than 2MB).
The photo you upload will need to be clear and the details must match those on your application. Take a look below for the types of identity documents that we accept.
You cannot use the same document for proof of both your identity and address (such as your driving licence).
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Current, valid full passport (copies must show nationality, place and date of birth, passport number, expiry date, photograph, signature and bottom line of passport digits must be visible)*
You cannot use the same document for proof of both your identity and address (such as your driving licence).
- Current, valid full UK photocard driving licence with signature or ‘old style’ driving licence*
- Current, valid UK photocard provisional licence*
- Foreign driving licence with certification
- Armed Forces ID Card. This must be certified by your commanding officer
- Residence permit listing your full name and date of birth. This is issued by the UK Border Agency to non-EU nationals on sight of your national passport
- Firearms certificate or shotgun licence
- HM Revenue & Customs tax document that is less than one year old e.g. tax assessment, statement of account, notice of coding (P45s and P60s are not acceptable)
- Letter from the relevant benefits agency confirming your receipt of benefits or state pension (the letter must be no more than one year old)
*Copies of UK passports and driving licences do not need to be certified
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The name and address on the document you send must match the name and address on your NS&I application. The document must also show the name and contact details of the organisation that issued it.
You cannot use the same document for proof of both your identity and address (such as your driving licence).
- Household utility bill e.g. gas, electric, water or fixed line telephone but not a mobile phone bill (no more than three months old)
- Current, valid full UK photocard driving licence with signature or ‘old style’ driving licence
- Current, valid UK photocard provisional licence
- Foreign driving licence with certification here
- Bank, building society or credit card statement (no more than three months old)
- Bank or building society mortgage statement (the most recent statement)
- Local authority tax bill (e.g. council tax) valid for the current year
- Solicitor’s letter confirming a recent house purchase or land registry confirmation (in this case, you’ll also need to send proof of your previous address)
- HM Revenue & Customs tax document that is less than one year old e.g. tax assessment, statement of account, notice of coding (P45s and P60s are not acceptable)
- Letter from the relevant benefits agency confirming your receipt of benefits or state pension (no more than one year old)
- Rental or tenancy agreement issued by local authority (private agreements are not acceptable)
- New style medical card (listing name, address, health service number and date of birth)
- For applicants in residential care, a letter on headed stationery from the management of the care home confirming residency
We're sorry but we can’t accept letters of introduction from utility suppliers or financial institutions.
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If we’ve asked you to confirm the child’s identity, you can send one of the following documents:
- Original or copy* of the child’s birth certificate or an extract of an entry in the Register of Births or the General Registry Office
- Copy* of the child’s passport
- Certified copy of the child’s NHS medical card
- Original or certified copy of a child benefit or child tax credit documentation in the name of the adult and referring to the child
- Original or certified copy of a letter from adoption or fostering authority confirming the guardian’s responsibility for the child
*Copies of birth certificates and UK passports do not need to be certified
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Choose one of the following people:
- Qualified individual currently practising in the legal, financial, or teaching profession
- Doctor or dentist
- Minister of a recognised religion
- Civil servant
- Prison, police or customs officer
The person you choose must not be related to you by birth or marriage. They also must not be in a personal relationship with you or live at the same address.
Ask your chosen certifier to:
- Write the following on the copied document in English: “I certify that this is a true copy of the original [type of document] belonging to [your/your child’s name].”
- Print their full name, then sign and date the document
- Write their occupation or the capacity in which they are providing the certification (e.g. lawyer, doctor, teacher)
- Provide their work address and daytime telephone number
- Affix any relevant official stamp where available
The person you choose must not be related to you by birth or marriage. They also must not be in a personal relationship with you or live at the same address.
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If you live outside the UK and we’ve asked you to prove your identity and address, you’ll need to send us both of these documents:
- Certified copy of your passport or official identity card
- Original or certified copy of a bank statement (no more than three months old) showing your name and address
