Can I open a bank account without proof of address?

Yes, in most cases. A bank will normally ask for two separate documents: one proving who you are, such as a passport or driving licence, and one proving where you live, such as a recent bill¹. If you cannot produce the second one, the account is not automatically closed to you. Basic bank accounts do not involve a credit check, and some banks run schemes for people with no fixed address that use a local homeless charity to confirm identity³.

What changes is the evidence, not the requirement. Banks still have to satisfy themselves about who you are, so the question becomes what they will accept instead of a utility bill. MoneyHelper's guidance is to ask the bank what it will take before you apply, because the list varies by bank and by branch³. Some banks accept a letter from a responsible person such as a GP, teacher, social worker or probation officer¹.

The rest of this page sets out which accounts are designed for people without the usual paperwork, what documents banks commonly accept instead, how identity checks still work, and where to get free help if you are refused.

Basic bank accounts: what to do if you lack the usual documents

A basic bank account is the standard route for someone who cannot meet the requirements of a normal current account. It is designed for customers who are legally resident in the United Kingdom and do not have a bank account, or who are not eligible for a standard current account⁶. It is also open to people who may not otherwise meet the minimum requirements because they have no credit history or a poor one⁷.

The practical advantage is that a basic bank account does not involve a credit check³. That matters for people who have had debts in the past and found it difficult to open a current account: a basic bank account is still available to them because it does not involve a credit check⁸. Basic bank accounts are open to people on a low income or with a poor credit history who think they might have trouble opening a bank account⁹.

The documents are the sticking point. When opening an account you will need to show proof of who you are and your address, and if you do not have the right documents, the guidance is to ask the bank what it will accept instead⁹. Most banks will ask for a driving licence or passport to prove your identity, or a photo of these if you are applying online, often with a selfie³. For the address side, banks commonly accept letters from the DWP, HMRC, JobCentre+, your local council, a GP, a minister of religion, a social landlord, an armed services officer, a warden, a care home manager, an employer, a college or a training provider³.

If you cannot produce any of those, a letter from a responsible person such as a GP, teacher, social worker or probation officer is sometimes accepted in place of the usual documents¹. The application itself is usually a form filled in at a branch, online, or sometimes over the phone¹.

Accounts that do not require verified proof of address

A small number of accounts are built around not asking for the usual address documents. Suits Me states that no verified proof of address is required, subject to anti-money-laundering requirements at account opening¹⁰. Monese states that it does not ask for documents to prove your address, credit history or income to open an account¹¹, and describes its foreign currency account as a no-proof-of-address account where utility bills are not required¹².

Some online banks offer a current account where you do not need proof of address⁴. Prepaid cards are another option: there is no need for a credit check to get one¹³. Postal orders are a way to send and receive money with no need for a bank account or to share your financial details at all¹⁴.

These accounts are not identical to a high street current account, and the terms come from the providers themselves rather than from a regulator. What they share is a different approach to verifying the customer: instead of an address document, they lean on other checks. If you are weighing one against a basic bank account, the basic bank accounts explained page sets out how the mainstream version works, and digital and app-only banks explained covers how the app-based model differs.

No credit check and no fixed income: how app-based accounts differ

App-based accounts compete on speed and on asking for less. Monese states that you can open an account with no credit checks, proof of address or a fixed income⁵. That combination matters if you are between jobs, newly arrived, or paid in cash and unable to show a payslip.

The trade-off is what the account is. A basic bank account is a regulated product with rules about closure and eligibility attached⁶. An app-based account may be an e-money account rather than a bank account, which affects what happens if the firm fails. The FSCS and e-money accounts page explains where protection applies and where it stops.

There is also a practical difference in how you use it. Some accounts are managed online or through mobile banking rather than over a counter, which suits someone who wants to open an account from a phone but is harder if you need to pay in cash regularly. If you are claiming benefits, you do not need a fixed address or a bank account to claim¹⁵, though having an account makes receiving payments simpler. MoneyHelper's guidance on choosing an account for Universal Credit payments covers what to look for¹⁶.

One point that catches people out: an account can be open even if nothing has moved through it. A basic bank account is considered open even if no transactions have taken place, and it is still considered open if a decision has been taken to close it but it has not yet been closed⁶. If you are opening an account to receive a payment, that distinction can matter.

Identity checks still apply even without proof of address

Dropping the address document does not drop the identity check. Banks are required to know who their customers are, and the checks are the reason some applications fail. A basic bank account does not require you to pass a credit check, but banks use a credit check to confirm your identity³. That is the part people miss: the check is not about whether you are good with money, it is about whether the bank can satisfy itself that you are who you say you are.

Firms must publish information about whether it is possible to open an account without visiting a branch, without an appointment where a branch visit is required, on the basis of documents and information supplied in electronic form, and by post¹⁷. The same requirement appears in the FCA's banking conduct rules, which set out that firms must state whether an account can be opened without visiting a branch, without an appointment where a branch visit is required, by sending documents electronically, and by post, each answered yes, no or in some cases¹⁸. In practice this means you can find out before you travel whether a branch visit is avoidable.

If you do not have photo ID, a bank might accept a letter from a college, hostel or refuge that confirms who you are⁴. Alternative documents such as a letter from a refuge, social worker or local authority are sometimes accepted¹⁹. If you are opening an account after leaving an abusive relationship, banks can accept alternative documents and there is specific guidance on opening a new account safely¹⁹.

What documents can I use instead of a utility bill?

The list of acceptable address documents is longer than most people expect. MoneyHelper advises checking whether the bank will accept other recent documents, typically under three months old, such as a Council Tax bill, a utility bill, a bank or building society statement, a credit card statement, an HMRC letter or tax statement, a mortgage statement, a tenancy agreement, a benefit or state pension statement, or a letter from your employer, college or training provider²¹.

If you are new to the UK, banks may accept a letter from a university or employer as proof of address²². Other guidance lists one or two of a recent utility bill, a rental contract, or a benefits or state pension letter issued within the past 12 months²². A recent gas or electricity bill or a TV licence is commonly accepted²².

Documents usually accepted by most banks include a bank, building society or credit card statement issued within the last three months, including where you are a joint account holder; a UK utility bill for gas, electricity, water or a telephone landline issued within the last three months; a UK, EU or EEA mortgage statement issued within the last 12 months; and a tenancy agreement from a local council or housing association issued within the last 12 months²⁰.

Some banks publish their own lists. Newcastle Building Society says that if you are not registered on the electoral register it will require proof of residence, and that any utility bill, council tax bill, bank statement or mortgage statement is acceptable²³. AIB's student account asks for identification such as a passport and proof of address such as a parent's or guardian's electricity bill²⁴. First direct asks for proof of identity and proof of address, and in some cases proof of income²⁵. HSBC asks for proof of identity and proof of address to complete an application²⁶.

Can I open a basic bank account if I am homeless?

A basic bank account is available to people who are homeless⁴. Some banks have special schemes for people with no fixed address, and work with a local homeless charity to help confirm identity³. Banks that offer these accounts ask a local homeless charity or organisation to confirm your identity⁴.

In Scotland, it may be possible to open a bank account without a permanent address²⁷. The rules on who counts as eligible for an account with basic features include consumers with no fixed address, asylum seekers, and consumers who have not been granted a residence permit but whose expulsion is impossible for legal or practical reasons⁷.

One bank's scheme is documented: HSBC offers a No Fixed Address Account, which provides essential banking features such as receiving payments, paying bills and setting up standing orders or Direct Debits, managed online or through mobile banking⁸. TSB's Basic Account is not part of the Shelter partnership; it requires ID but says it will offer other forms of proof of address, most often needing assistance from a homeless charity⁸.

If you already have an account, homelessness alone is not a reason for it to be closed. Your bank cannot close your account or cancel your card just because you are homeless²⁸. You might need to apply for a new account if your account was closed, you cannot access your current bank account, or you need your own account after a relationship breakdown or domestic abuse²⁸.

Does opening an account without proof of address affect my credit score?

Your street address does not affect your credit score³⁰. That is the direct answer, and it surprises people: only about a quarter of people who responded to a survey knew that your street address does not affect your score³⁰.

What does affect it is whether a lender can confirm your identity. If it cannot, this then affects your credit score, as it cannot confirm your identity and you become more of a risk³¹. That is a different mechanism from the address itself. A basic bank account does not involve a credit check, so opening one does not depend on your credit history and does not damage it³.

On the other side of the ledger, showing that you can manage credit accounts, for example a loan or a credit card, could help you to boost your credit score³². If you are worried about your file, the credit scores and credit reports section explains how to check it and what appears on it. Identity theft is worth watching for: one sign is that your credit rating goes down even though you have not missed any payments or do not have an account in arrears³³.

Getting help if a bank turns you down

A bank or building society can refuse to open an account for you, and does not always have to give you a reason². If a basic bank account is refused, the bank should tell you why you have been turned down³⁴. The reasons a bank can give include not agreeing to a credit check, failing the ID check, suspected unlawful or fraudulent use, or being threatening, abusive or violent towards staff; the reason must be given unless the bank suspects fraud or money laundering³.

Some refusals are about status rather than documents. If you are bankrupt or have a record of fraud, you will not usually be allowed to open a bank account¹. You may be refused a current account with a poor credit rating, but you may be able to open a basic bank account¹. Failing an identity check or an immigration check, or bank suspicion of fraud or financial crime, are also grounds for refusal³⁵.

Where to get free, impartial help:

• Citizens Advice gives guidance on getting a bank account and what to do if you are refused².
• Shelter covers opening an account when you are homeless and keeping an account when your circumstances change⁴.
• MoneyHelper explains basic bank accounts and how to open, switch or close an account³.
• If you are managing money for someone else, the guidance on dealing with banks sets out the proof of your name and address, evidence of your authority to act, and proof of the account holder's name and address that a bank will ask for³⁶.

If you are opening an account in someone else's name or adding a person to yours, the requirements differ. Bank of Ireland says you do not need to send proof of identification and address at the time of setting up a third party mandate, and that it will ask for it later if needed³⁷. Metro Bank says no ID is needed if the person being added already banks with it, while anyone who does not already bank with it will need ID and proof of address³⁸. The power of attorney and third party access page covers how these arrangements work.