Identification
What we need
If we ask for documents to prove your name and address, this is to protect you from identity fraud and also allows us to comply with money laundering regulations. We'll usually need to see your identification (ID) before we can open an account for you or update your details. If you're applying for a joint account, all account holders need to provide ID.
If we ask you for ID, we'll need to see:
- One item from Group A, to confirm who you are
- One item from Group B, to confirm your name and address
See below for the different types of identification we accept.
Documents can be used either to confirm who you are, or your name and address, but not both. For example, if you use your driving licence to confirm who you are, you can't also use it to confirm your name and address.
- At a branch: If you come into a branch to complete the application, we need to see the original identity documents.
- By post: If you apply by post, we only accept certified copies where specified, as the Society cannot be held responsible if the originals are lost in the post.
- By email: You can send your ID in by email to savingsdocs@thecoventry.co.uk. Please add your application number into the subject line. We will need a full, clear photo of your ID and a clear photo of yourself holding your original photo-ID (Passport and/or Driving Licence). You can’t send in ID by email to open an Intro account, Junior Cash ISA for a child, power of attorney or bereavement.
Group A
| To confirm who you are | Branch | Post | |
| Passport (UK or foreign) – current, valid and full | Original | Certified copy | Photograph of the original and a photograph of yourself holding the original Passport |
| Valid (UK) photocard driving licence (full or provisional) | Original | Certified copy |
Photograph of the front side of the original and a photograph of yourself holding the original photocard |
| Full old style paper driving licence (UK) – current, signed | Original | Certified copy | Not applicable |
| DWP pension entitlement letter – valid for the current year | Original | Original | Not applicable |
| Birth certificate/adoption certificate (under 18s only) | Original | Certified copy | Not applicable |
| NHS medical card/document, showing holder’s name, DOB, NHS number (under 18s only) |
Original | Original | Not applicable |
Group B
| To confirm your name and address | Branch | Post | |
Full or provisional UK photocard or old |
Original | Certified copy | Photograph of the front side of the original and a photograph of yourself holding the original photocard. Or Photograph(s) of all of the paper licence |
| Bank/building society statement – less than 3 months old and not printed off the internet. Those issued by the Coventry are not acceptable |
Original | Original | Photograph of the original |
| House insurance certificate – valid for the current year | Original | Original |
Photograph of the original |
| Council/local authority tax bill – less than 12 months old and valid for the current year |
Original | Original | Photograph of the original |
| Utility bills (i.e. gas, electricity, water) or cable/satellite/phone bill (excluding mobile phones) – less than 3 months old and not printed off the internet |
Original | Original | Photograph of the original |
| NHS medical card/document, showing holder’s name, DOB, NHS number (under 18s only) |
Original | Original | Not applicable |
Certifying documents
Copies of original documents can only be certified by one of the following:
- Legal professional (solicitor registered in England and Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, barrister registered in England and Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland or notary public registered in any country)
- Qualified accountant (registered with either ICAEW, ICAS, CAI, ACCA, AAT CIPFA or CIMA)
- Public sector official (serving officer of the Armed Services, serving police officer, teacher in current employment)
- Medical professional (doctor registered with the General Medical Council, dentist registered with the relevant national professional body, qualified nurse registered to NMC)
- Post Office official (must include Post Office stamp or Post Office certificate)
- Embassy official (an embassy, consulate or high commission officer in the country of issue of the relevant document)
- Other (local government councillor, Member of Parliament, bank manager, building society manager or minister of religion)
Copies of your original documents should have been certified within the last 12 months using the following words:
‘I confirm that I have seen the original document’
The certifier must sign their name and include these details:
- full name
- profession
- business address (if applicable)
- phone number
- today’s date (ie: the date they certify the document)
The person certifying should be in current employment, but we’ll also accept certification from a person who has retired (unless the list above specifies that the person must be serving), as long as they still hold the qualification and are a member of the relevant institute.
The person certifying must not be related to you in any way (for example: spouse, partner, sibling, parent, child or in-law) and they must not be named as a joint account holder/borrower on your mortgage. You can’t certify your own documentation.
Opening an account for a child
Before we can open the account, we’ll need to see ID for the child and, if you’re signing the application form with them and you’re not already a Coventry member, we need to see ID for you too. You can't send in ID by email to open an Intro or Junior Cash ISA for a child.
For the child...
Birth/adoption certificate or valid passport, and one document which proves where the child lives, for example the child's NHS medical card.
If you don’t have anything to prove the child’s address, and they live with you, we can accept a document which proves where you live, such as a utility bill dated within the last three months.
For you…
One official document which proves who you are (for example a valid passport or driving licence) and one document which proves where you live (such as a utility bill dated within the last three months). This can be the same document as the one you use to prove the child’s address.
The list of suitable ID is above.
If you have a non-UK passport
If you need help with ID
Want help?
Our help section is bursting with useful information. If you'd rather chat, just give us a call.
Call us on 0800 121 8899
- Mon-Fri 8am-7pm
- Saturday 9am-2pm
- Sunday & Bank holidays Closed
Yesterday, people waited on average
17 seconds for savings enquiries
17 seconds for mortgage enquiries
Want help?
Our help section is bursting with useful information. If you'd rather chat, just give us a call.
Call us on
0800 121 8899
Saturday
Sunday
9am - 2pm
Closed
Closed
Closed
8am - 2pm
Yesterday, people waited on average
41 seconds for savings enquiries
28 seconds for mortgage enquiries
