What you need for an ID check

If you only have a limited number of documents, it's better to visit a branch instead - because we can accept a wider range of documents that way.

If a child doesn't have their own proof of address, we will need to see proof of the parent or guardian's address.

Whether you're uploading documents online or bringing them into a branch, we need to see one of the following documents that belong to the child:

• Passport
• UK photocard driving licence (for children over 16)
• National identity card issued in the EU, or by one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Norway, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Switzerland, UAE or USA.
• Full birth/adoption certificate issued in the UK or Channel Islands, Isle of Man

The birth certificate must include:

• Child’s full first name and surname
• Parent’s name and surname
• Date of issue
• Place of issue
• Child’s date of birth

If you're applying online, we will send you a separate request for this.

In the branch, we can accept the same documents as online. Additionally, you can also use:

• National Health Service (NHS) letter
• Child Benefit or Child Tax Credit documentation

The child must be present to complete the verification. If the child is under 16, a parent or guardian must also be there.

This advice can vary depending on where you live. The process can be completed online or via post. We'll advise exactly what you'll need to provide, and which channel is relevant to you.

Provide one of the following documents, either by posting a certified copy, or by uploading photos of the original documents online.

• Your current passport or travel document (copies of passports should include all pages that contain signatures, the passport number and any extension dates where applicable)
• Your national identity card issued by one of the following countries: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE or USA

You'll need one of the following:

• Utility bill dated within the last 4 months
• Bank statement dated within the last 4 months (statements from HSBC Group outside of the UK are acceptable)
• Valid and current drivers licence (must include your full name, signature and photograph)

• Valid national ID card (must include your full name, photograph, date of birth, ID number and issue date)

We may need non-UK documents to be certified by an independent authority.

You don't need to certify original documents uploaded online, unless they're in a language other than English. In which case they'll need to be translated and certified.

All other documents (including copies of passports and ID cards received in the post) be must be certified.

You'll need to do one of the following:

• If you're resident in a country or region of equivalent jurisdiction to the UK, contact your local bank and ask them to certify your documents - if you're not sure this applies to you get in touch with our team on 03457 404 404, or if you're a Premier customer call 03457 70 70 70
• Contact the UK Embassy or Consulate where a certification service is provided
• Contact a lawyer, solicitor or barrister in your country/region of residence listed on the Legal 500 or on this UK Government list of lawyers abroad

Ask your chosen certifier to write a note on the document they are certifying, as follows.

I [full name of certifier] confirm that this is an accurate copy of the original [type of document] and the photo is a true likeness of the named person.

I [full name of certifier] confirm this is an original [type of document], in the name of [applicant's name] issued by [issuing institution] on [date of issue].

• Their signature and full name
• Their occupation, company (or professional) address and phone number
• Their professional registration number (if they have one)
• The date 

If you use the postal process, you'll need to send us the certified documents using the pre-paid envelope we provided.

Please print and complete the return form (PDF, 99KB) for certified documents and enclose it with your certified documents and then send them to:

HSBC UK

Customer Service Centre

BX8 1HB

If you work for one of our corporate clients and have recently relocated to the UK (in the last 6 months), we can also accept a letter from your employer confirming your employment online.

The letter must:

• Be on an official headed paper
• Contain your full name
• Contain your new UK address
• Include a telephone number and email address of your HR department who can confirm the details

Please use this option only if you work for a qualifying employer. Contact your HR department if you are unsure whether this applies to you. Letters from other employers will be rejected which will delay your application.