Verifying Identity

Why we need to verify your identity

We have a responsibility to verify the identity of each applicant under regulations for prevention of financial crime and money laundering. Visit the Financial Services Authority (FSA) website for more information.

How we verify your identity

Before you open an account with us, we will ask for proof of your identity. Proving your identity is simple and can be done by post or in person at one of our branches. Once we have taken a record of the relevant information we will return any documents to you.

Existing customers may also need to provide us with additional information - we will let you know if this is the case.

Accepted documents

Opening an online account

When you apply to open an online account (e-Saver Reward, eBond), we will carry out an electronic check of your identity. If we are unable to verify your identity in this way, we will ask you to provide further evidence at the end of the online application. This may be required even if you already have an account with Chelsea. Your online account will not become active until any evidence of identity requested has been received and verified.

Send original documents unless these are valuable, e.g. passports, driving licences, ID cards or certificates. Copies of these are only acceptable if they are certified by solicitors, accountants or bank/building society staff.

Certified copies must include the full name, profession, business address and telephone number for the certifying party. The words "certified true copy" must be written or stamped on the documents, which should then be signed and dated by the certifying party. A document will not be accepted if any of this information is missing.

Opening an account by post

You'll need to send us:

• A completed cheque drawn on your personal current account (sole or joint) for the opening deposit or as part of the opening deposit.
• One document to confirm your name
• One document to confirm your address

Opening an account at a branch

You'll need to bring with you:

• One document to confirm your name
• One document to confirm your address

Note:

We will need to see these documents for each new person opening an account and they must be originals. The same document cannot be used to confirm both your name and address.

Please ensure that your full name, including initials, is on all documents presented.

Confirming your name

One of the following Government issued documents to confirm your name:

• Current valid passport (foreign passports will take longer to process within the branch so please bear this in mind) (branch applicants only, please don't post these to us)
• Current full driving licence (branch applicants only, please don't post these to us)
• HM Revenue and Customs Notice of Tax Coding or Demand (issued within the last 12 months)
• Evidence of entitlement to state benefit, state pension or tax credit (issued within the last 12 months).

We cannot accept building society cheques as proof of identity.

We can also use electronic verification to prove your identity. This means we conduct a search against publicly available records. This will not reveal information about your credit history and will not be used by us or other lenders to assess your ability to obtain credit.

Confirming your address

We'll need one of the following:

• Current full driving licence (branch applicants only, please don't post these to us)
• Domestic utility bill - gas, water, electricity, telephone - NOT mobile (no more than 3 months old)
• Mortgage statement (no more than 3 months old)
• Council tax bill (current year)
• Bank or building society, credit card or credit union statement showing your current address (no more than 3 months old).

Please note: Statements printed from the internet are not acceptable.

Can't provide the documents we need?

If you can't supply one of the items listed, please call us as we may still be able to help. In some circumstances we may be able to accept other documents.

All communications with us may be monitored/recorded to improve the quality of our service and for your protection and security. Copies or details of Proof of Identity will be taken and retained by the Society.

Children's accounts

Opening an account in a Child's Sole Name

If you are opening an account for a child, we will need to verify the identity of the child.

If you are opening the account in one of our branches in person, we will require 2 forms of identification (see our Branch Finder for your nearest branch)

We need to see one proof of name document, which can be any from the list below.

• Birth Certificate
• Adoption Certificate
• Passport showing minors photograph

We also need to see one proof of address,which can be in the form of the following:

• Most recent Child Benefit Book/Notification Letter
• Verification of parents'/guardians address (please see Accepted documents)
• Confirmation of UK address by college or university
• Tenancy agreement or student accommodation contract
• Confirmation of temporary address from the householder with whom the student is living e.g. current council tax bill in householder's name

If you are opening the account through the post we will also require one further piece of identification, which can be either name or address.

Opening an account for a child with a Trustee

If the Account is being opened in Trust, we may require identification for the Trustee (please see Verifying Your Identity).

In addition to this we will need proof of name for the child. We will require one piece of name identification from the list above.

If the child resides with the trustee then address ID is not required, if the child does not reside with the trustee then one piece of address ID is required showing the child's address. It is likely this piece of ID will be in the name of the child's parent or guardian.