What you need to open a bank account

Your benefits letter must be:

• From the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP), Job Centre Plus or Universal Credit.
• Addressed to you.
• Dated within the last 12 months and confirm it is for a current/ongoing benefit.
• An e-statement, PDF or internet printed statement, and can only be used if you have acceptable proof of ID. 

To obtain your Benefits Agency documents, you can choose from the options below:

Universal Credit letter

1. Online - if you applied for Universal Credit online, you can login to the universal credit portal by visiting universal-credit.service.gov.uk and add a note to the 'journal' requesting your  benefits letter to be sent to in the post to your home address.     
2. Telephone - if you applied for the benefits over the phone, call 0800 328 5644 and request for this to be sent in the post to your home address.​ Relay UK: 18001 0800 328 5644.

Job Centre Plus letter

• Call 0800 169 0190 and ask for this to be sent out in the post in to your home address. Relay UK: 18001 0800 169 0190.

To be eligible for an Address Verification letter you must:

• Use a valid proof of ID.
• Have a valid email address and UK mobile number.
• Live at a personal address, not a hotel.

To get your verification letter please call us on:

• Phone: 03457 888 444
• Relay UK: 18001 03457 888 444

• Can I use my parent's proof of address?
  • If you are going to be using the account (not your parent on your behalf) your parent/guardian's address verification can be used if you share the same surname.
  • If you don't share the same surname you must get documents to show the link between you and your parent/guardian as well as your parent/guardian's proof of address documents.
    
    
• What can I use for parent's proof of address? As a reminder, here are proof of address documents we would accept:
  • Bank Statement
  • Council Tax Bill
  • Mortgage Statement/Solicitor Mortgage correspondence
  • Full or Provisional UK driving licence
  • HMRC Letter
  • Credit Union Statement.

Your agreement document must: 

• Evidence that you are currently in foster care or care.
• Evidence that you are 18 years old or under.
• Your full name (inc. middle name) and date of birth must match those used in your application.

Letter of Introduction from a School (Children 18 or under only)

Your letter must: 

• Evidence that the child is currently attending the school and is 18 years old or younger.
• Be addressed to the Bank.
• Be on the school's headed paper or stamped by the school.
• Include the applicant's full name, including any middle names.
• Include the applicant's address.

Letter of Introduction for a Child in Care/Foster Care (Children 18 or under only)

Your letter must: 

• Evidence the child is currently in care/foster care and is 18 years old or younger.
• Be addressed to the applicant’s NatWest branch name (with full address of the branch) and must be addressed to either the branch or a named person who works at the branch.
• Include the date the letter was written.
• Include a reference (if required by Local Authority to complete call back and identify foster child).
• Include the full name of the foster child, including middle names.
• Include the foster child’s full date of birth.
• Include the foster child’s home address including house number, street, town/county, country, and postcode.