Published on 12, July, 2020
I'm so embarrassed to apply for these things and that's why I keep putting it off. Embarrassed and ashamed because of my age and been judged. Because I don't have any forms of ID, it makes it hard to acquire ID. You can't open a bank account without a passport or a driving license and vice versa. I was told the only way forward is to apply for a passport, but I would have to attend immigration to determine my identity and it would be an hour interrogation. I tried to open a bank with my government benefit documents and birth certificate but that failed, so my only option was to open a bank account for people in debt that requires a monthly fee. However these types of banks cant be used as ID because anyone can apply for them. Been interrogated by immigration and all the personal questions they would ask, fills me with dread.
I don't think you should need to go to the expense and stress of getting a passport or driving licence.
There is no need to be embarrassed or ashamed. Many people don't have photo id, a lot of elderly people in particular.
There is some useful information on the rules for opening bank accounts without photo id here:
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/blog/savings/how-to-beat-id-issues-when-opening-a-bank-account
However each bank can interpret the rules slightly differently and publish their own terms on their websites detailing what id they will accept. Just because you failed with one bank doesn't automatically mean you would fail with others. Some banks will accept your government benefit documents as proof of id, together with another document proving your address.
You should be able to open a fee free basic bank account. There is a lot of information about them here:
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/banking/basic-bank-accounts