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Verifying Identity

When applying for an account with us, we're required to verify your identity. This section will help you through this process.

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 Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority websites for more information: www.fca.org.uk   www.bankofengland.co.uk/pra

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.

Updating Customer Identification Records

We have a regulatory requirement to verify the identities of all our customers. Having clear and up-to-date identification (ID) records helps to combat ID theft, financial crime and money laundering.

As part of our ongoing responsibility, we are currently reviewing all of our customer ID records where identification needs updating.

In order to minimise disruption, we will firstly use an electronic method of ID verification. This search will be carried out by Call Credit. This is an identity check, not a credit check, and will not impact on your credit record.

Only if we are unable to verify you electronically will we then ask you to provide further evidence of your identity.

Your co-operation and support is very much appreciated.

Accepted documents

Savings Customer - Identification Requirements

We need to be able to confirm your identity when opening new accounts for customers. Our Identification Requirements leaflet has a list of the types of documents we will accept for proof of identification and proof of address.

Opening an online account

When you apply to open an online account (e-Saver Reward, eBond, e-ISA etc.), 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.

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
  • One additional document confirming your name OR 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.

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.

Chelsea Building Society and the Chelsea are trading names of Yorkshire Building Society. Yorkshire Building Society is a member of the Building Societies Association and is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Yorkshire Building Society is entered in the Financial Services Register and its registration number is 106085. Principal Office: Yorkshire House, Yorkshire Drive, Bradford BD5 8LJ.

References to 'YBS Group' or 'Yorkshire Group' refer to Yorkshire Building Society, the trading names under which it operates (Barnsley Building Society, the Barnsley, Chelsea Building Society, the Chelsea, Norwich & Peterborough Building Society, N&P and Egg) and its subsidiary companies.

Buy to Let mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

This site is intended for UK Residents unless otherwise stated. All communications with us may be monitored/recorded to improve the quality of our service and for your protection and security.

*Calls to 0800 numbers are free of charge from a landline or mobile. Calls to 03 numbers are charged at the same standard network rate as 01 or 02 landline numbers, even when calling from a mobile.

Chelsea Building Society and the Chelsea are trading names of Yorkshire Building Society. Yorkshire Building Society is a member of the Building Societies Association and is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Yorkshire Building Society is entered in theFinancial Services Register and its registration number is 106085. Principal Office: Yorkshire House, Yorkshire Drive, Bradford BD5 8LJ.

References to 'YBS Group' or 'Yorkshire Group' refer to Yorkshire Building Society, the trading names under which it operates (Barnsley Building Society, the Barnsley, Chelsea Building Society, the Chelsea, Norwich & Peterborough Building Society, N&P and Egg) and its subsidiary companies.

Buy to Let mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

This site is intended for UK Residents unless otherwise stated. All communications with us may be monitored/recorded to improve the quality of our service and for your protection and security.

*Calls to 0800 numbers are free of charge from a landline or mobile. Calls to 03 numbers are charged at the same standard network rate as 01 or 02 landline numbers, even when calling from a mobile.

Get in touch with us:

  • Call us:
    http://www.thechelsea.co.uk/contact/index.html
  • Find a branch:
    http://www.thechelsea.co.uk/contact/branch_finder.html
  • Manage your accounts online:
    http://www.thechelsea.co.uk/security/online_help.html