Overlay
Documents we may need to see before opening your account
Opening an account
Verifying your identity
When you apply for a bank account we always try to verify your details electronically, but sometimes we need to see physical proof. If you apply online or over the telephone we will be in touch if we require any further information from you.
You can provide this documentation in one of three ways: online, in branch or by post.
It’s important that you only provide documents from the lists below - providing incorrect ID will mean that we will be unable to open your account.
Proving your identity online
As part of your application, we'll ask you to upload some documents to verify who you are.
We may ask for:
- Photo ID, such as a driving licence, passport or EU ID card.
- Proof of your address, such as a driving licence, utility bill, bank statement or tax document.
Please make sure that any documents you use exactly match the information you enter when applying.
After you have finished your application, look out for an email and text from our security partners, HooYu. It'll have a link to securely upload your documents for us to check.
If you’re under 18, we may need some additional information. Please refer to ‘What ID do I need if I’m under 18?’ for guidance.
If you’re under 18, we’ll ask for the following to prove your identity online:
- Photo ID - this must be either a Passport, EU/EEA ID card, PASS card or a UK Provisional Driving Licence.
- A liveness check, a short video to compare to your photo ID.
Also, if you are:
Aged 11-15, you’ll need your parent/guardians support and they’ll need to bank with Ulster Bank.
Aged 16-17 and can't prove your identity and address with your own documents, you'll need to apply with your parent/guardian who has a Ulster Bank current account.
If your surname isn’t the same as your parent/guardians, you’ll need to provide a proof of relationship document to show the link between you both (and if required, name change documents).
What documents can we accept in branch and by post?
The quickest way to get an account is to apply online. Don’t worry if you haven't got the documents for online ID, we accept others when you return your documents to one of our branches or send them in the post to us.
No matter what route you take, you'll need:
- One original document to confirm your identity
- One original document to verify your address
An exception to this is that you may use your Full or Provisional UK Driving Licence as proof of both your identity and address.
All documents must be valid, original and dated within the required date ranges.
Once you have gathered the appropriate ID, simply visit your local branch where your documents will be photocopied and submitted along with your application.
You can return your documents along with your signed application form using the freepost envelope provided in your application pack. Your identity document will need to be certified first.
How to certify your documents
- Documents must be certified by a member of Ulster Bank staff, a solicitor, accountant or notary public
- The documentation must be photocopied and certified as a true copy using the wording “original sighted” and be signed, dated and branded (if available)
- All certifications must include the name and position of the certifier, the Firm/Institution they represent and details of their regulated professional body membership
Documents we can accept in branch and by post
Select the options below to see what proof of ID and address documents we accept in branch:
We accept the following as proof of ID for adults in branch:
For a UK Passport, Biometric Residence Permit, Foreign Passport or Visa to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be the original document
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact date of birth used when applying
- Be valid/in date
- Must have at least 6 months left to run on Visa (if Visa is required) for all non-EU applicants presenting a foreign passport
- EU nationals include Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Romania and Bulgaria
For an EU/EEA/ROI Driving Licence to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be a full photocard licence (the paper counterpart is no longer valid as legal ID) issued in EU member countries, or in Iceland, Norway, Switzerland or Liechtenstein
- Match the date of birth used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note that your EU/EEA/ROI Driving Licence can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
For a Benefits entitlement letter to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Issued by Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) / Department for Communities (DFC). Scottish public pensions agency, local authority, UC welcome letter, pensions benefits, housing benefits, child benefits, disability and sickness benefits
- Be specific to the individual about benefits currently being received
- Must include either NI number or date of birth
- Must confirm the customer is currently in receipt of benefit
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
A benefits letter that is addressed to a carer but is for the person opening the account can also be used but only as a last resort. The applicants name must be mentioned in the letter and the carer must reside at the same address as the applicant.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
We accept the following travel documents:
An immigration and National Directorate (IND) Registration Card:
- Must match the exact name used when applying
- Must match all other personal details used when applying
- Only be provided if applicant is unemployed
A travel document issued by the Government of the UK and Northern Ireland:
- Must match the exact name used when applying
- Must match all other personal details used when applying
- Be issued in the UK prior to 31 Dec 2004, if presented with a Grant of Status Letter or Entry Clearance Visa providing indefinite right to remain.
- Still be in date, and have more than 3 months left to run
For a UK Driving Licence to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be a full or provisional photocard licence (the paper counterpart is no longer valid as legal ID) issued in the UK
- Match the date of birth used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
If the address on your UK Full or Provisional Driving Licence matches your application, you can use this one document for both proof of identity and proof of address.
For an EU/EEA National Identity Card to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be photographic and clearly state the country of issue
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact date of birth used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note, from 1st April 2019 we no longer accept Romanian ID cards.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
The HMRC Tax documents we can accept are:
- A notice of tax coding or
- A National Insurance Confirmation letter
The document must:
- Be specific to the individual
- Include either NI number or date of birth
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be issued in the last 12 months
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
For a Translink Smartpass to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
The documents we accept are:
- Translink Senior Citizen Smartpass (customer must be over 65)
- Translink Smartpass (customer must be over 60)
The document must:
- Be the original document
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note, your Translink Smartpass will only be accepted as a form of identification when one of the following has been used as proof of address:
- UK or EU/EEA/ROI Driving Licence
- Council tax bill/demand letter/exemption certificate issued within 12 months
- Bank/Building Society statement
- Credit union statement
- HMRC Tax notifications & correspondence
- UK utility bill (gas, electricity, water, telephone landline)
- UK/EU/EEA Mortgage statement/Mortgage correspondence issues within 12 months
- Tenancy agreement from local council/housing association/Northern Ireland Housing Executive issued within 12 months
We accept the following as proof of ID for adults by post:
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Issued by Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) / Department for Communities (DFC). Scottish public pensions agency, local authority, UC welcome letter, pensions benefits, housing benefits, child benefits, disability and sickness benefits
- Specific to the individual about benefits currently being received
- Must Include either NI number or DOB
- Must confirm the customer is currently in receipt of benefit.
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
A benefits letter that is addressed to a carer but is for the person opening the account can also be used but only as a last resort. The applicants name must be mentioned in the letter and the carer must reside at the same address as the applicant.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
We accept the following travel documents:
An immigration and National Directorate (IND) Registration Card:
- Must match the exact name used when applying
- Must match all other personal details used when applying
- Only be provided if applicant is unemployed
A travel document issued by the Government of the UK and Northern Ireland:
- Must match the exact name used when applying
- Must match all other personal details used when applying
- Be issued in the UK prior to 31 Dec 2004, if presented with a Grant of Status Letter or Entry Clearance Visa providing indefinite right to remain
- Still be in date, and have more than 3 months left to run
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met.
The HMRC Tax documents we can accept are:
- A notice of tax coding or
- A National Insurance Confirmation letter
The document must:
- Be specific to the individual
- Include either NI number or date of birth
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be issued in the last 12 months
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
We accept the following as proof of address for adults in branch:
For a UK Driving Licence to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be a full or provisional photocard licence (the paper counterpart is no longer valid as legal ID) issued in the UK
- Match the date of birth used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
If the address on your UK Full or Provisional Driving Licence matches your application, you can use this one document for both proof of identity and proof of address.
We can accept the following documents:
- Council Tax bill, including reminders
- Council Tax adjustment notice letter
- Current council tax arrears letter
- Council tax letter for Direct Debits
- Council tax exemption letter
- Council Tax payment card accompanied by a letter issued by the council which confirms the council tax reference.
- Council Tax benefit letter provided it has been sent to your current address and shows the Council Tax reference. This can be accepted to confirm either your identity or address. Not both.
The document must:
- Be less than 12 months old
- Be for the property you reside at and match the exact address used when applying
- Have your name in the addressee part of the document
- The name must match the exact name provided when applying
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Council tax is used this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification.
- UK Passport, Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA National Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you have not used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your Council Tax as address verification.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
The HMRC Tax documents we can accept are:
- A notice of tax coding or
- A National Insurance Confirmation letter
The document must:
- Be specific to the individual
- Include either NI number or date of birth
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be issued in the last 12 months
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your HMRC tax notifications & correspondence is used, this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport, Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA national identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you have not used one of the above as your identification you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your HMRC tax notifications and correspondence as address verification.
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
To be accepted, this document must:
- Be the original and less than 12 months old or
- Be a PDF/e-bill/e-statement of your mortgage statement and be less than 12 months old
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- The letter can be addressed to your previous address however the document must relate to the purchase of the property address which is used in your application.
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your mortgage statement is used this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport/Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA National Identity ID Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your mortgage statement as address verification
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be less than 6 months old
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
Be a:
- Utility bill
- Utility statement
- Reminder bill
- A letter on headed paper from the utility company confirming direct debit payments
- A Utility bill for internet services that confirms the price to be paid each month
An e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your Utility bill/statement can only be used when one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport/Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA national Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Utility bill/ statement as address verification.
We cannot accept:
- Mobile telephone bills
- TV licences
- A utility bill that is addressed to a different address to where the utility is being provided
- A delivery bill for oil, coal, logs
For an EU/EEA/ROI Driving Licence to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be a full photocard licence (the paper counterpart is no longer valid as legal ID) issued in EU member countries, or in Iceland, Norway, Switzerland or Liechtenstein
- Match the date of birth used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note that your EU/EEA/ROI Driving Licence can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- The original, sent to your current home address
- An online PDF statement
- A Post Office statement
All must:
- Be less than 6 months old
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Bank/Building Society statement is used, this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport/Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA National Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your Bank/Building Society statement as address verification.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Issued by Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) / Department for Communities (DFC). Scottish public pensions agency, local authority, UC welcome letter, pensions benefits, housing benefits, child benefits, disability and sickness benefits
- Specific to the individual about benefits currently being received
- Must include either NI number or date of birth
- Must confirm the applicant is currently in receipt of benefit
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
A benefits letter that is addressed to a carer but is for the person opening the account can also be used but only as a last resort. The applicants name must be mentioned in the letter and the carer must reside at the same address as the applicant.
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your documentation from the Benefits Agency is used, this can only be used when one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport, Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA national identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification you cannot use an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your documentation from the Benefits Agency as address verification.
For a credit union statement to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- The name and address must match the application
- Please ensure the Credit Union appears as approved / authorised on the FCA search page (Opens in New Window)
To be accepted, this document must either:
- Be a current local council tenancy agreement
- Be a Housing association tenancy agreement
- Be a Northern Ireland Housing Executive Tenancy Agreement
- Be a valid temporary tenancy agreement
All documents must:
- Be issued by a recognised local authority, or from a well known housing association
- Be on headed paper and bear the stamp of the relevant council/housing association
- Match the exact name and address used in the application
We accept the following as proof of address for adults by post:
We can accept the following documents:
- Council Tax bill, including reminders
- Council Tax adjustment notice letter
- Current council tax arrears letter
- Council tax letter for Direct Debits
- Council tax exemption letter
- Council Tax payment card accompanied by a letter issued by the council which confirms the council tax reference
- Council Tax benefit letter provided it has been sent to your current address and shows the Council Tax reference. This can be accepted to confirm either your identity or address. Not both.
The document must:
- Be less than 12 months old
- Be for the property you reside at & match the exact address used when applying
- Have your name in the addressee part of the document.
- The name must match the exact name provided when applying
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Council tax is used this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification.
- UK Passport, Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA National Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you have not used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your Council Tax as address verification.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Issued by Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) / Department for Communities (DFC). Scottish public pensions agency, local authority, UC welcome letter, pensions benefits, housing benefits, child benefits, disability and sickness benefits
- Specific to the individual about benefits currently being received
- Must Include either NI number or Date of birth
- Must confirm the applicant is currently in receipt of benefit
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
A benefits letter that is addressed to a carer but is for the person opening the account can also be used but only as a last resort. The applicants name must be mentioned in the letter and the carer must reside at the same address as the applicant.
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your documentation from the Benefits Agency is used, this can only be used when one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport, Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA national identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification you cannot use an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your documentation from the Benefits Agency as address verification.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be less than 6 months old
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
Be a:
- Utility bill
- Utility statement
- Reminder bill
- A letter on headed paper from the utility company confirming direct debit payments
- A Utility bill for internet services that confirms the price to be paid each month
An e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your Utility bill/ statement can only be used when one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport/Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA national Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Utility bill/ statement as address verification.
We cannot accept:
- Mobile telephone bills
- TV licences
- A utility bill that is addressed to a different address to where the utility is being provided
- A delivery bill for oil, coal, logs
To be accepted, this document must:
- Be the original and less than 12 months old or
- Be a PDF/e-bill/e-statement of your mortgage statement and be less than 12 months old
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- The letter can be addressed to your previous address however the document must relate to the purchase of the property address which is used in your application
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your mortgage statement is used this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport/Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA National Identity ID Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your mortgage statement as address verification
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- The original, sent to your current home address
- An online PDF statement
- A Post Office statement
All must:
- Be less than 6 months old
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Bank/Building Society statement is used, this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport/Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA National Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your Bank/Building Society statement as address verification.
To be accepted, this document must either:
- Be a current local council tenancy agreement
- Be a Housing association tenancy agreement
- Be a Northern Ireland Housing Executive Tenancy Agreement
- Be a valid temporary tenancy agreement
All documents must:
- Be issued by a recognised local authority, or from a well known housing association
- Be on headed paper and bear the stamp of the relevant council/housing association
- Match the exact name and address used in the application
For a credit union statement to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- The name and address must match the application
- Please ensure the Credit Union appears as approved / authorised on the FCA search page (Opens in New Window)
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
The documents we can accept are:
- A notice of tax coding or
- A National Insurance Confirmation letter
The document must:
- Be specific to the individual
- Include either NI number or date of birth
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be issued in the last 12 months
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your HMRC tax notifications & correspondence is used, this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport, Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA national identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you have not used one of the above as your identification you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your HMRC tax notifications and correspondence as address verification.
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
We accept the following as proof of ID for students in branch
Please note, along with identification, we also need you to provide proof of your student status.
For a UK Passport, Biometric Residence Permit, Foreign Passport or Visa to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be the original document
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact date of birth used when applying
- Be valid/in date
- Must have at least 6 months left to run on Visa (if Visa is required) for all non-EU applicants presenting a foreign passport
- EU nationals include Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Romania and Bulgaria
For a UK Driving Licence to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be a full or provisional photocard licence (the paper counterpart is no longer valid as legal ID) issued in the UK
- Match the date of birth used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
If the address on your UK Full or Provisional Driving Licence matches your application, you can use this one document for both proof of identity and proof of address.
For an EU/EEA National Identity Card to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be photographic and clearly state the country of issue
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact date of birth used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note, from 1st April 2019 we no longer accept Romanian ID cards.
For an EU/EEA/ROI Driving Licence to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be a full photocard licence (the paper counterpart is no longer valid as legal ID) issued in EU member countries, or in Iceland, Norway, Switzerland or Liechtenstein
- Match the date of birth used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note that your EU/EEA/ROI Driving Licence can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
For a birth/adoption certificate to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be for a customer who is 20 years old and under with no other form of ID, and have special circumstances. E.g. (applicants in care homes, sheltered accommodation, permanent care, children's homes, in care and living at home)
- Must exactly match the name used when applying
- Must exactly match the date of birth used when applying
- Be a Full or Abbreviated Birth Certificate or a Certified Copy of an Entry from the General Registry Office (England and Wales) or an Extract of an Entry in the Register of Births (Scotland)
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
The HMRC Tax documents we can accept are:
- A notice of tax coding or
- A National Insurance Confirmation letter
The document must:
- Be specific to the individual
- Include either NI number or date of birth
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be issued in the last 6 months or for the current tax year
Please note this can only be used as proof or identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
We accept the following as proof of ID for students by post
Please note, along with identification, we also need you to provide proof of your student status.
For a birth/adoption certificate to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be for a customer who is 20 years old and under with no other form of ID, and have special circumstances. E.g. (applicants in care homes, sheltered accommodation, permanent care, children's homes, in care and living at home)
- Must exactly match the name used when applying
- Must exactly match the date of birth used when applying
- Be a Full or Abbreviated Birth Certificate or a Certified Copy of an Entry from the General Registry Office (England and Wales) or an Extract of an Entry in the Register of Births (Scotland)
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
The HMRC Tax documents we can accept are:
- A notice of tax coding or
- A National Insurance Confirmation letter
The document must:
- Be specific to the individual
- Include either NI number or date of birth
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be issued in the last 6 months or for the current tax year
Please note this can only be used as proof or identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
We accept the following as proof of address for students in branch
Please note, along with proof of address, we also need you to provide proof of your student status.
For a UK Driving Licence to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be a full or provisional photocard licence (the paper counterpart is no longer valid as legal ID) issued in the UK
- Match the date of birth used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
If the address on your UK Full or Provisional Driving Licence matches your application, you can use this one document for both proof of identity and proof of address.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- The original, sent to your current home address
- An online PDF statement
- A Post Office statement
All must:
- Be less than 6 months old
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Bank/Building Society statement is used, this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport/Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA National Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your Bank/Building Society statement as address verification.
For an EU/EEA/ROI Driving Licence to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be a full photocard licence (the paper counterpart is no longer valid as legal ID) issued in EU member countries, or in Iceland, Norway, Switzerland or Liechtenstein
- Match the date of birth used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note that your EU/EEA/ROI Driving Licence can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
The documents we can accept are:
- A notice of tax coding or
- A National Insurance Confirmation letter
The document must:
- Be specific to the individual
- Include either NI number or date of birth
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be issued in the last 6 months or for the current tax year
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your HMRC tax notifications & correspondence is used, this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport, Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA national identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you have not used one of the above as your identification you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your HMRC tax notifications and correspondence as address verification.
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
To be accepted, this document must either:
- Be a current local council tenancy agreement
- Be a Housing association tenancy agreement
- Be a Northern Ireland Housing Executive Tenancy Agreement
- Be a valid temporary tenancy agreement
All documents must:
- Be issued by a recognised local authority, or from a well known housing association
- Be on headed paper and bear the stamp of the relevant council/housing association
- Match the exact name and address used in the application
We can accept the following documents:
- Council Tax bill , including reminders
- Council Tax adjustment notice letter
- Current council tax arrears letter
- Council tax letter for Direct Debits
- Council tax exemption letter
- Council Tax payment card accompanied by a letter issued by the council which confirms the council tax reference.
- Council Tax benefit letter provided it has been sent to your current address and shows the Council Tax reference. This can be accepted to confirm either your identity or address. Not both.
The document must:
- Be less than 12 months old
- Be for the property you reside at & match the exact address used when applying
- Have your name in the addressee part of the document.
- The name must match the exact name provided when applying
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Council tax is used this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification.
- UK Passport, Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA National Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you have not used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your Council Tax as address verification.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Issued by Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) / Department for Communities (DFC). Scottish public pensions agency, local authority, UC welcome letter, pensions benefits, housing benefits, child benefits, disability and sickness benefits
- Specific to the individual about benefits currently being received
- Must Include either NI number or Date of birth
- Must confirm the applicant is currently in receipt of benefit
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
A benefits letter that is addressed to a carer but is for the person opening the account can also be used but only as a last resort. The applicants name must be mentioned in the letter and the carer must reside at the same address as the applicant.
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your documentation from the Benefits Agency is used, this can only be used when one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport, Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA national identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification you cannot use an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your documentation from the Benefits Agency as address verification.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be less than 6 months old
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
Be a:
- Utility bill
- Utility statement
- Reminder bill
- A letter on headed paper from the utility company confirming direct debit payments
- A Utility bill for internet services that confirms the price to be paid each month
An e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Utility bill/ statement can only be used when one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport/Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA National Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Utility bill/ statement as address verification.
We cannot accept:
- Mobile telephone bills
- TV licences
- A utility bill that is addressed to a different address to where the utility is being provided
- A delivery bill for oil, coal, logs
The simplest way to prove your student status is to enter your UCAS Status Code into the application form. This is a 16-digit code emailed to you by UCAS. If you have misplaced this email, please contact UCAS who will reissue within 24 hours.
Other documents we can accept are:
UCAS/NMAS Letter:
- The letter must be on headed paper
- It must include the UCAS/NMAS application number and match the address on the application form
- Must match the address used when applying
Student Loan Company/LEA/SAAS Award Letter:
- The award letter must match the address on the application form
- Be on headed paper
University/College Letter of Acceptance/Enrolment Offer/Enrolment Certificate:
- Letters should be on headed paper and addressed to the Bank or to you at your application address
- It can be an original letter, an email or an internet print
- The letter must confirm you are onto the course and match the address on the application form
- It must be issued by a Government/LEA/SAAS funded University/College
- If issued by anyone else this is not acceptable
- Letters from a language schools are not acceptable
- The course must still have six months left to run for the letter to be accepted unless it’s an English course
- Where an English course is less than six months, confirmation of both courses is required and the total length must be more than six months
We accept the following as proof of address for students by post
Please note, along with identification, we also need you to provide proof of your student status.
We can accept the following documents:
- Council Tax bill, including reminders
- Council Tax adjustment notice letter
- Current council tax arrears letter
- Council tax letter for Direct Debits
- Council tax exemption letter
- Council Tax payment card accompanied by a letter issued by the council which confirms the council tax reference
- Council Tax benefit letter provided it has been sent to your current address and shows the Council Tax reference. This can be accepted to confirm either your identity or address. Not both.
The document must:
- Be less than 12 months old
- Be for the property you reside at & match the exact address used when applying
- Have your name in the addressee part of the document.
- The name must match the exact name provided when applying
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Council tax is used this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification.
- UK Passport, Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA National Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you have not used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your Council Tax as address verification.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
The documents we can accept are:
- A notice of tax coding or
- A National Insurance Confirmation letter
The document must:
- Be specific to the individual
- Must include either NI number or date of birth
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be issued in the last 6 months or for the current tax year
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your HMRC tax notifications & correspondence is used, this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport, Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA national identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you have not used one of the above as your identification you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your HMRC tax notifications and correspondence as address verification.
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
To be accepted, this document must either:
- Be a current local council tenancy agreement
- Be a Housing association tenancy agreement
- Be a Northern Ireland Housing Executive Tenancy Agreement
- Be a valid temporary tenancy agreement
All documents must:
- Be issued by a recognised local authority, or from a well known housing association
- Be on headed paper and bear the stamp of the relevant council/housing association
- Match the exact name and address used in the application
The simplest way to prove your student status is to enter your UCAS Status Code into the application form. This is a 16-digit code emailed to you by UCAS. If you have misplaced this email, please contact UCAS who will reissue within 24 hours.
Other documents we can accept are:
UCAS/NMAS Letter:
- The letter must be on headed paper
- It must include the UCAS/NMAS application number and match the address on the application form
- Must match the address used when applying
Student Loan Company/LEA/SAAS Award Letter:
- The award letter must match the address on the application form
- Be on headed paper
University/College Letter of Acceptance/Enrolment Offer/Enrolment Certificate:
- Letters should be on headed paper and addressed to the Bank or to you at your application address
- It can be an original letter, an email or an internet print
- The letter must confirm you are onto the course and match the address on the application form
- It must be issued by a Government/LEA/SAAS funded University/College
- If issued by anyone else this is not acceptable
- Letters from a language schools are not acceptable
- The course must still have six months left to run for the letter to be accepted unless it’s an English course
- Where an English course is less than six months, confirmation of both courses is required and the total length must be more than six months
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- The original, sent to your current home address
- An online PDF statement
- A Post Office statement
All must:
- Be less than 6 months old
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Bank/Building Society statement is used, this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport/Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA National Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your Bank/Building Society statement as address verification.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Issued by Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) / Department for Communities (DFC). Scottish public pensions agency, local authority, UC welcome letter, pensions benefits, housing benefits, child benefits, disability and sickness benefits
- Specific to the individual about benefits currently being received
- Must Include either NI number or Date of birth
- Must confirm the applicant is currently in receipt of benefit
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
A benefits letter that is addressed to a carer but is for the person opening the account can also be used but only as a last resort. The applicants name must be mentioned in the letter and the carer must reside at the same address as the applicant.
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your documentation from the Benefits Agency is used, this can only be used when one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport, Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA national identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification you cannot use an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your documentation from the Benefits Agency as address verification.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be less than 6 months old
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
Be a:
- Utility bill
- Utility statement
- Reminder bill
- A letter on headed paper from the utility company confirming direct debit payments
- A Utility bill for internet services that confirms the price to be paid each month
An e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your Utility bill/ statement can only be used when one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport/Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA national Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Utility bill/ statement as address verification.
We cannot accept:
- Mobile telephone bills
- TV licences
- A utility bill that is addressed to a different address to where the utility is being provided
- A delivery bill for oil, coal, logs
We accept the following as proof of ID for under 18s in branch
Please note, if you’re applying for an account with your parent/guardians support and your surnames aren’t the same, you must provide a proof of relationship document to show the link between you both (and if required, name change documents). See the below section 'Proof of relationship' for further information.
For a UK Passport, Biometric Residence Permit, Foreign Passport or Visa to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be the original document
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact date of birth used when applying
- Be valid/in date
- Must have at least 6 months left to run on Visa (if Visa is required) for all non-EU applicants presenting a foreign passport
- EU nationals include Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Romania and Bulgaria
For an EU/EEA/ROI Driving Licence to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be a full photocard licence (the paper counterpart is no longer valid as legal ID) issued in EU member countries, or in Iceland, Norway, Switzerland or Liechtenstein
- Match the date of birth used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note that your EU/EEA/ROI Driving Licence can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
For a birth/adoption certificate to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be for a customer who is 20 years old and under with no other form of ID, and have special circumstances. E.g. (applicants in care homes, sheltered accommodation, permanent care, children's homes, in care and living at home)
- Must exactly match the name used when applying
- Must exactly match the date of birth used when applying
- Be a Full or Abbreviated Birth Certificate or a Certified Copy of an Entry from the General Registry Office (England and Wales) or an Extract of an Entry in the Register of Births (Scotland)
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be for an existing pupil of the school providing the letter
- Be addressed to the Bank
- Be on headed paper or stamped by the school
- Match the name on the application exactly
- Match the date of birth on the application and be for a customer who is 18 years old or under
- Match the address the application
- Be issued by a known school
Please note that one letter is sufficient to cover both proof of identity and proof of address for the same application.
For a UK Driving Licence to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be a full or provisional photocard licence (the paper counterpart is no longer valid as legal ID) issued in the UK
- Match the date of birth used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
If the address on your UK Full or Provisional Driving Licence matches your application, you can use this one document for both proof of identity and proof of address.
For an EU/EEA National Identity Card to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be photographic and clearly state the country of issue
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact date of birth used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note, from 1st April 2019 we no longer accept Romanian ID cards.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
The HMRC Tax documents we can accept are:
- A notice of tax coding or
- A National Insurance Confirmation letter
The document must:
- Be specific to the individual
- Include either NI number or date of birth
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be issued in the last 12 months
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
The PASS Card documents we accept are:
- Young Scot Card
- Transport Scotland Card
- CitizenCard (including Royal Mail branded CitizenCard)
- IDGO
- TOTUM
- MY ID CARD
- Bracknell Forrest
- Milton Keynes Council
- ONEID4U
To be accepted, this document must:
- Be for a customer who is aged 20 years or younger
- Have a ‘PASS’ hologram
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact date of birth used when applying
- Be valid/in date
If the surname of the adult and child doesn't match, you must provide documentation to show the link between the applicant child and the parent/guardian
The following documents can be accepted as proof of relationship:
- Birth/Adoption Certificate
- Legal guardianship
- HMRC/Benefits letter
- Child arrangement order
- Foster agreement
We accept the following as proof of ID for under 18s by post
Please note, if you’re applying for an account with your parent/guardians support and your surnames aren’t the same, you must provide a proof of relationship document to show the link between you both (and if required, name change documents). See the below section 'Proof of relationship' for further information.
For a birth/adoption certificate to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be for a customer who is 20 years old and under with no other form of ID, and have special circumstances. E.g. (applicants in care homes, sheltered accommodation, permanent care, children's homes, in care and living at home)
- Must exactly match the name used when applying
- Must exactly match the date of birth used when applying
- Be a Full or Abbreviated Birth Certificate or a Certified Copy of an Entry from the General Registry Office (England and Wales) or an Extract of an Entry in the Register of Births (Scotland)
To be accepted, the document must:
- Be for an existing pupil of the school providing the letter
- Be addressed to the Bank
- Be on headed paper or stamped by the school
- Match the name on the application exactly
- Match the date of birth on the application and be for a customer who is 18 years old or under
- Match the address on the application
- Be issued by a known school
Please note, one letter is sufficient to cover both proof of identity and proof of address for the same application.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
The HMRC Tax documents we can accept are:
- A notice of tax coding or
- A National Insurance Confirmation letter
The document must:
- Be specific to the individual
- Include either NI number or date of birth
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be issued in the last 6 months or for the current tax year
Please note this can only be used as proof or identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
If the surname of the adult and child doesn't match, you must provide documentation to show the link between the applicant child and the parent/guardian.
The following documents can be accepted as proof of relationship:
- Birth/Adoption Certificate
- Legal guardianship
- HMRC/Benefits letter
- Child arrangement order
- Foster agreement
We accept the following as proof of address for under 18s in branch
Please note, if you’re applying for an account with your parent/guardians support and your surnames aren’t the same, you must provide a proof of relationship document to show the link between you both (and if required, name change documents). See the below section 'Proof of relationship' for further information.
For a UK Driving Licence to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be a full or provisional photocard licence (the paper counterpart is no longer valid as legal ID) issued in the UK
- Match the date of birth used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
If the address on your UK Full or Provisional Driving Licence matches your application, you can use this one document for both proof of identity and proof of address.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
The document must either be:
- The original, sent to your current home address
- An online PDF statement
- A Post Office statement
All must:
- Be less than 6 months old
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Bank/Building Society statement is used, this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport/Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA National Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your Bank/Building Society statement as address verification.
To be accepted, the document must:
- Be addressed to the Bank
- Match the exact name on the application
- Match the exact address on the application
- Match the date of birth on the application and be for a customer who is aged 18 years old or under
- Be confirmed as genuine*
*This can be done by a social worker being in the branch, with staff identification that confirms they are from the council, or an independent call back needs to be made.
For an EU/EEA/ROI Driving Licence to be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- Be a full photocard licence (the paper counterpart is no longer valid as legal ID) issued in EU member countries, or in Iceland, Norway, Switzerland or Liechtenstein
- Match the date of birth used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Be valid/in date
Please note that your EU/EEA/ROI Driving Licence can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
The documents we can accept are:
- A notice of tax coding or
- A National Insurance Confirmation letter
The document must:
- Be specific to the individual
- Include either NI number or date of birth
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be issued in the last 6 months or for the current tax year
Please note this can only be used as proof of identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your HMRC tax notifications & correspondence is used, this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport, Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA national identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you have not used one of the above as your identification you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your HMRC tax notifications and correspondence as address verification.
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
To be accepted, the document must:
- Be for an existing pupil of the school providing the letter
- Be addressed to the Bank
- Be on headed paper or stamped by the school
- Match the name on the application exactly
- Match the date of birth on the application and be for a customer who is 18 years old or under
- Match the address on the application
- Be issued by a known school
Please note, one letter is sufficient to cover both proof of identity and proof of address for the same application.
If the surname of the adult and child doesn't match, you must provide documentation to show the link between the applicant child and the parent/guardian.
The following documents can be accepted as proof of relationship:
- Birth/Adoption Certificate
- Legal guardianship
- HMRC/Benefits letter
- Child arrangement order
- Foster agreement
We accept the following as proof of address for under 18s by post
Please note, if you’re applying for an account with your parent/guardians support and your surnames aren’t the same, you must provide a proof of relationship document to show the link between you both (and if required, name change documents). See the below section 'Proof of relationship' for further information.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
- The original, sent to your current home address
- An online PDF statement
- A Post Office statement
All must:
- Be less than 6 months old
- Match the exact address used when applying
- Match the exact name used when applying
Where an e-statement/e-bill or PDF of your Bank/Building Society statement is used, this can only be used where one of the following has been used as identification:
- UK Passport/Foreign Passport/Visa
- UK Driving Licence
- EU/EEA National Identity Card
- Military ID Card
If you haven't used one of the above as your identification, you cannot use an e-statement/ e-bill or PDF of your Bank/Building Society statement as address verification.
To be accepted, the document must:
- Be for an existing pupil of the school providing the letter
- Be addressed to the Bank
- Be on headed paper or stamped by the school
- Match the name on the application exactly
- Match the date of birth on the application and be for a customer who is 18 years old or under
- Match the address on the application
- Be issued by a known school
Please note, one letter is sufficient to cover both proof of identity and proof of address for the same application.
To be accepted, the following criteria must be met:
The HMRC Tax documents we can accept are:
- A notice of tax coding or
- A National Insurance Confirmation letter
The document must:
- Be specific to the individual
- Include either NI number or date of birth
- Match the exact name and address used when applying
- Be issued in the last 6 months or for the current tax year
Please note this can only be used as proof or identity or proof of address. It cannot be used for both.
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
To be accepted, the document must:
- Be addressed to the Bank
- Match the exact name on the application
- Match the exact address on the application
- Match the date of birth on the application and be for a customer who is aged 18 years old or under
- Be confirmed as genuine*
*This can be done by a social worker being in the branch, with staff identification that confirms they are from the council, or an independent call back needs to be made.
If the surname of the adult and child doesn't match, you must provide documentation to show the link between the applicant child and the parent/guardian.
The following documents can be accepted as proof of relationship:
- Birth/Adoption Certificate
- Legal guardianship
- HMRC/Benefits letter
- Child arrangement order
- Foster agreement
The UK government links are to an external website, and we are not responsible for their content.
Proof of affordability
For loans, credit card and some current account applications we may require some of the documentation below to verify your income. Your application pack will detail exactly what we require.
- A payslip (no more than eight weeks old)
- Three month's bank statements (last transaction date no more than eight weeks ago)
- One month's statement for each credit card held (dated within the last 40 days)
- Proof of mortgage/rental payments
- Statements for any other existing finance agreements
- One month's statement for any credit union accounts (if applicable), dated within the last 40 days
- Two years tax assessments or finalised accounts as proof of any declared rental income
New to the UK?
If you're new to the UK or are arriving soon, you'll need to know your new UK address before applying, and enter this during your application.
Once you've applied, we'll ask you for proof of identity and proof of UK address, which we'll need to verify before we open your account.
If you've just arrived in the UK and are here as a working professional, you may find it easier and quicker to obtain one of the following proof of address documents and apply online.
HMRC notification of National Insurance number
HMRC notification of tax coding
- Bank statement from an existing bank which is now addressed to your new UK address (this does not need to be from a UK bank)
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
Take a look at our list of acceptable documents if you already have something different.
If you've just arrived to the UK as an international student or you’ve lived in the UK for less than 3 years, you're not eligible for our student account. You can however still apply for one of our other accounts. See our current accounts hub for other options.
You may find it easier and quicker to obtain one of the following proof of address documents and apply online.
HMRC notification of National Insurance number
HMRC notification of tax coding
- Bank statement from an existing bank which is now addressed to your new UK address (this does not need to be from a UK bank)
Visit the UK government website if you'd like more information on obtaining a HMRC document.
Take a look at our list of acceptable documents if you already have something different.
If you have lived in the UK for more than 3 years, you'll be eligible to apply for our student account, see our student account page for more information.
If you're an Asylum Seeker and are looking to open an account with us, please visit your local branch so they can help you complete an application.
You can use your ARC (Application Registration Card) as proof of ID, so take this with you along with proof of address if you have this. Take a look at our list of acceptable documents to know what we can accept as proof of address.
Why do banks ask for proof of ID and address?
It's important that banks work hard on processes that help prevent money laundering. This is when criminals try to disguise money that has been made illegally, to use it for their own future purposes.
To do this, criminals often attempt to open a bank account using fake or stolen ID. We try to stop this by verifying all of our new customers as genuine, by asking for proof of identity and often current address.
If you are applying online, we try our best to complete this electronically, using our security partners Digidocs or HooYu, so the process is as easy as possible for you. This is why we ask you to have your ID at hand before you begin your application.
Proof of identity and address we can't accept
Store card statements
Ulster Bank statements
Duplicate statements
Mobile telephone bills
TV licences
A delivery bill for oil, coal or logs
Statements relating to VAT accounts
P60s or P45s
Got a question about ID?
Get in touch
Call us on 0800 046 6486
Lines are open: Monday to Friday 8.30am-8pm
(except bank holidays)
Calls may be recorded. Calls from mobile phones may not be free.