What to bring when you pop in

1. If you’re a UK, EEA or Swiss National 

Proof of identity:

A valid passport / EU national ID card or UK driving licence is ideal. In most cases this will be all we need. 

Proof of Address (1 or 2 depending on circumstances):

It would be useful to have two types of address verification handy in case we’re unable to verify your name and address.

2. If you’re not a UK, EU, EEA or Swiss national

• You can open an account in store with a valid passport containing your current visa (with at least 6 months left on it) or Biometric Residence Permit. You'll also need to bring 1 or 2 of the proofs of address listed in section 1 above.
• Unfortunately, while we are working on accepting biometric visas, we’re unable open Current Accounts online for non-UK, EU, EEA or Swiss nationals at this time.

3. If you’re aged 11 to 15

If you’re aged between 11 and 15, please come in store with your parent or guardian to open a Cash Account. Parents or guardians need to provide the documents listed in section 1 or 2 for themselves, plus one of the following for the child opening the account:

• valid passport
• birth certificate
• NHS Medical Card
• Child Tax Credit documentation or Child Benefit documentation (if applicable)

4. If you're 16 or 17 and would like to open an account independently

You'll need to provide the documents listed in section 1 or 2, whichever is relevant to you. If you can’t provide them, we may need a parent or guardian to open your account.

5. If you're 18 or over and in full-time education

You'll need to provide the documents listed in section 1 or 2, whichever is relevant to you.

If we can’t verify your address electronically we can accept a letter of acceptance or letter of introduction from your college or university, if it’s appropriately registered (ask us for details).

6. International Students

If you’re an international student, you’ll need to provide a valid passport and student visa (with at least six months remaining).

In case we’re unable to verify your name and address electronically, it would be useful to have two types of address verification handy (see section 1. Proof of Address for a list of acceptable types).

If you are unable to provide two types of address verification from Section 1, a letter of acceptance or introduction from a UK education institution is acceptable.

7. Specific circumstances

If you can’t provide some of the documents we normally need for verification you can still apply for our Cash Account and/or savings accounts, and we’ll accept the following:

Asylum seekers:

• BRP card or,
• IND Application Registration Card (ARC) issued by the Home Office
  
  and both of the following proofs of address

• Confirmation of Asylum support allowance or other income from HMRC, DWP etc. Dated within the last 12 months and,

• Proof of address from section 1

We no longer accept ARC Cards which do not have a expiry date.

Refugee: If BRP is not held, one of the following

• Immigration Status Document with Residence Permit, or,
• IND travel document
  
  and both of the following proofs of address

• Government/Local Authority issued document (Council Tax bill, confirmation of benefits etc.)
• One additional proof of address (please see What you need to open an account document)

People in care homes or sheltered accommodation:

If you cannot provide photographic identification, we can accept a letter from the Manager or Matron of your care home issued within the last three months

Take a look at the template here to provide to the care home if required.

Child Care Leavers:

If you cannot provide photographic identification, we can accept a letter from your Personal Advisor (PA), Social Work or Care Home issued within the last three months

Take a look at the template here to provide to the PA, Social Worker or Care Home if required.

Sheltered accommodation:

If you cannot provide photographic identification, we can accept the following issued within the last three months:

• Letter from the Manager/Matron/Warden of the sheltered accommodation/homeless association
• Short Term Tenancy Agreement or Licence Agreement (this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis)
• Benefits confirmation letter issued by a UK Government agency (this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis

Hostel Accommodation:

If you cannot provide photographic identification, we can accept a letter from the Manager or Matron of the hostel issued within the last three months.

• Letter from the Hotel Management issued within the last three months
• Short Term Tenancy Agreement or Licence Agreement (this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis)
• Benefits confirmation letter issued by a UK Government agency (this will be assessed on a case-by-case basis

British Armed Forces:

• Valid photo ID and visa (if applicable).
• We may need additional documentation for residency: 1 or 2 proof(s) of address from section 1. Proof of address
  
  Or 1 from Section 1. Proof of address and either:

• Barracks Bills
• Mess Bills Payslips
• Signed letters from the unit confirming residential address.

What you need to open an account - specific circumstances

8. Tax residency

We have a legal requirement to obtain tax status for any personal and sole trader customers. Please come prepared to complete details confirming if you are resident for tax in the UK and/or any other countries.

• If you’ve always lived in the UK then you’re likely to be a UK tax resident
• If you’re a resident for tax in any other country please bring your Tax Identification Number or Tax Reference Number
• If you’re unsure of your status, you should seek professional advice

Proof of income

We also sometimes ask you for documents which prove the income you’ve declared to us.

You can bring originals of the documents listed below to one of our stores or send them by post. We’ll return them to you.

If you’re sending them by post, download and complete the Proof of Income supporting documentation return form. Send it, with the documents to: Customer Care Team, Metro Bank, One Southampton Row, London WC1B 5HA. We recommend you use recorded delivery when sending any important or confidential documents.

Proof of identity

If you’re a new customer and opened a Current Account online and come into one of our stores to apply for lending, we will ask you for documents to prove your identity.

See above for acceptable proofs of identity.