NS&I provides identity verification documents for savers | Personal finance | Finance

NS&I has issued a statement to clarify what documents savers need to prove their identity.

Under UK law, NS&I must confirm a saver's identity and address when they apply to invest in a Premium Bond or sign up for online and telephone services. The bank may also ask savers to reconfirm their identity at regular intervals to update or validate their details.

Typically, a saver's identity is verified through a credit reference agency, but this method is not always successful, so savers may be asked to provide additional proof of their own identity or that of a family member.

A saver asked NS&I on X (formerly Twitter) about the suitability of a particular document as proof. Daniel Lowe asked: “We need to prove the child's name and address. The only document we have is a birth certificate. Can we send a certified copy of that? If not, send us the original back.”

In response to the query, the NS&I help account stated: “If you need to provide documents to prove the identity of a child under 16, a birth certificate is sufficient. This can be a photocopy, a certified copy or the original. Certified copies and the original will be returned to you.”

Full list of documents proving identity and address

NS&I has provided clarification on its website that customers will typically need to provide at least two documents from List A (to confirm identity) and List B (to confirm address). It is important to note that the same document cannot be used to prove both your identity and address.

NS&I makes it clear on its website that you will generally need to send at least two documents from List A (to prove your identity) and List B (to prove your address). It is important to note that you cannot use the same document to prove your identity and address.

Proof of identity

• A copy of your current, valid passport. The copy must include your nationality, place and date of birth, passport number, expiry date, photograph and signature. In addition, the entire data strip as it appears at the bottom of the page must be legible. You do not need to include any blank pages or pages with visa stamps.
• A copy of your current, valid, UK or Jersey issued photo driving licence (full or provisional) with signature or, if relevant, an ‘old style’ driving licence.
• A certified copy of your current, valid (full or provisional) signed photo driving licence from Guernsey, the Isle of Man or Northern Ireland or your ‘old style’ driving licence.
• Bundeswehr service ID card. This must be certified by your superior.
• The Home Office has issued a biometric UK residence permit showing your full name and date of birth.
• Gun license or shotgun license.
• Tax document from HM Revenue & Customs that is less than one year old, e.g. tax assessment, bank statement, coding notice (P45 and P60 are not accepted). Must have been issued within the last 12 months.
• Letter from the relevant benefit provider confirming receipt of social benefits or statutory pension. Must have been issued within the last 12 months.

Proof of address

• Household bills for utilities, e.g. gas, electricity, water or landline telephone, but not cell phone bills. Must not be older than 3 months.
• A copy of your current, valid, UK or Jersey issued photo driving licence (full or provisional) with signature or, if relevant, an ‘old style’ driving licence.
• A certified copy of your current, valid (full or provisional) Guernsey, Isle of Man or Northern Ireland photo driving licence with signature or, if relevant, your ‘old style’ driving licence – provided it shows your address.
• Bank, building society or credit card statement. Must not be older than 3 months.
• Mortgage statement from a bank or building society. Must have been issued within the last 12 months.
• Tax notice from the local authority (e.g. council tax). Must have been issued within the last 12 months.
• Letter from a lawyer confirming the recent purchase of a house or confirmation from the land register (in this case, proof of the previous address is also required).
• Tax document from HM Revenue & Customs e.g. tax assessment, bank statement, coding notice. P45 and P60 are not accepted. Must have been issued within the last 12 months.
• Letter from the relevant benefits authority confirming receipt of benefits or state pension. Must have been issued within the last 12 months.
• Tenancy or lease agreement issued by the local authority. Must have been issued within the last 12 months.
• New type of health insurance card (with name, address, health insurance number and date of birth).
• When applying for a position in inpatient care, a letter from the care home management with letterhead confirming your place of residence is required.

Detailed information on the evidence required for all types of saver can be found here at NS&I.