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Documents we may need to see before opening your account

Opening an account

Verifying your identity

When you apply for a bank account we always try to verify your details electronically, but sometimes we need to see physical proof. If you apply online or over the telephone we will be in touch if we require any further information from you.

You can provide this documentation in one of three ways: online, in branch or by post. 

Proving your identity online

As part of your application, we'll ask you to upload some documents to verify who you are. You'll need a device with a camera to upload these.

We may ask for:

  • Photo ID, such as a driving licence, passport or EU ID card.
  • A selfie to compare to your photo ID
  • Proof of your address, such as a driving licence, utility bill, bank statement or tax document.

Please make sure that any documents you use exactly match the information you enter when applying.

After you have finished your application, look out for an email and text from our security partners, HooYu. It'll have a link to securely upload your documents for us to check. 

If you’re under 18, we may need some additional information. Please refer to ‘What ID do I need if I’m under 18?’ for guidance. 

Documents we can accept

The quickest way to get an Ulster Bank account is to apply online, but if you haven’t got the online ID documents ready then you can bring them in to one of our branches or send via post.

You’ll need one document to confirm your identity and one document as proof of address.

You can use your full or provisional driving licence as proof of both your identity and address

Documents we can accept in branch and by post:

Proof of affordability

For loans, credit card and some current account applications we may require some of the documentation below to verify your income. Your application pack will detail exactly what we require.

  • A payslip (no more than eight weeks old) 
  • Three month's bank statements (last transaction date no more than eight weeks ago)
  • One month's statement for each credit card held (dated within the last 40 days)
  • Proof of mortgage/rental payments 
  • Statements for any other existing finance agreements 
  • One month's statement for any credit union accounts (if applicable), dated within the last 40 days
  • Two years tax assessments or finalised accounts as proof of any declared rental income

New to the UK?

If you're new to the UK or are arriving soon, you'll need to know your new UK address before applying, and enter this during your application. 

Once you've applied, we'll ask you for proof of identity and proof of UK address, which we'll need to verify before we open your account. 

Why do banks ask for proof of ID and address?

It's important that banks work hard on processes that help prevent money laundering. This is when criminals try to disguise money that has been made illegally, to use it for their own future purposes.

To do this, criminals often attempt to open a bank account using fake or stolen ID. We try to stop this by verifying all of our new customers as genuine, by asking for proof of identity and often current address.

If you are applying online, we try our best to complete this electronically, using our security partners Digidocs or HooYu, so the process is as easy as possible for you. This is why we ask you to have your ID at hand before you begin your application.

Proof of identity and address we can't accept

FAQs - What you need to open a bank account

Got a question about ID?

Get in touch

Call us on 0800 046 6486

Lines are open: Monday to Friday 8.30am-8pm

(except bank holidays)

Calls may be recorded. Calls from mobile phones may not be free.