Starling Bank proof of address: what is acceptable?

Planning to open a bank account? Whichever UK bank you choose, you’re likely to be asked for documents to verify your identity.

One of the key things you’ll need when opening a UK bank account is proof of address. However, different banks may have their own requirements as to which documents they’ll accept.

In this guide, we’ll focus on Starling Bank and what it asks new customers to provide for proof of address. Plus, some tips on how to get proof of address if you don’t have the required documents.

And if you’re comparing different accounts at the moment, make sure to check out the Wise multi-currency account. Wise accepts a wide range of documents as proof of address, and everything can be done online. You can manage your money easily in 40+ currencies with a fair exchange rate and low fees*.

Learn more about the Wise multi-currency account

What Starling Bank considers as proof of address?

To open an account with Starling Bank, you’ll need to provide a document proving your address. Here’s what Starling accepts:¹

• A full or provisional UK photo card driving licence

  This must be in date and have your current address on it. You can’t use this as proof of address if you’ve already used it as proof of ID.

• A UK bank or building society statement from the last 3 months

  This must be from an FCA regulated firm and be for a personal (not a business) account. It must show details of your account.

• An international bank statement from the last 3 months

  This must be from an FCA regulated firm and feature details of your personal international account.

• A utility bill from your gas, electricity, internet or water supplier

  This must be dated within the last 3 months, or 6 months for water bills. It can’t be a welcome letter or a final bill.

• A UK government letter

  For example, a DWP benefits confirmation letter from the last 6 months, or an HMRC ‘Your Tax Code Notice’ letter from the last 3 months.

• A credit card statement from the last 3 months

• A mortgage statement from the last 3 months

• A council tax bill from the current tax year

• A Tenancy Agreement issued by a solicitor, letting agency, housing association or local authority.

• A letter from your UK university with enrolment details, course dates and confirmation of your address (for UK students).

Why does Starling Bank need a proof of address?

Most banks ask for proof of address for new customers. This is so that they can verify your identity, help to prevent fraud and comply with financial regulations.

However, it’s worth knowing that digital-only banks such as Starling Bank may not even ask you for proof of address. It may be sufficient to provide just your ID document in order to open an account.²

But if you are asked for proof of address by Starling Bank, it’s for the same reasons as above - to confirm your identity and country of residence, and to crack down on fraud.

If I don’t have a proof of address, which other documents does Starling Bank accept?

You may be able to open your new Starling Bank account with just proof of your identity. Here’s what Starling accepts:¹

• A valid passport
• An EE/EEA ID card
• A UK photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
• A UK residence permit.

If you are asked for additional proof of address, and you don’t have it, you’ll need to contact Starling Bank customer services.

Does Starling Bank accept a bank statement as proof of address?

Yes, Starling Bank accepts bank statements as proof of address. Your statement can be from a UK or international bank, as long as the institution is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).¹

Your bank statement must be dated within the last 3 months¹ and contain details of your account along with your current address.

You can’t use statements from electronic money institutions such as Revolut or Curve¹ as proof of address.

How long does it take for Starling Bank to check details?

Although timescales for opening accounts can vary, Starling Bank says that in most cases it takes 24 hours³ to check your details and get your new account up and running.

If you’ve provided all the relevant documents and completed all steps, it should be pretty quick.

Can I open a bank account in the UK without proof of address?

If you’re applying to open a UK account with a traditional bank, you’re likely to find it very difficult to open an account without providing proof of address.

You may have a better chance when applying to digital banks, also known as ‘challenger banks’. Many of these banks, apps and platforms let you open an account using just your ID, which usually means a passport or a driving licence.

How to get a proof of address?

There are a number of different places you can get proof of address. If you don’t have any recent utility bills, or your bills are online, you can try contacting your utility provider to ask them to send you a bill. Alternatively, check with the bank to see if online bills will be accepted. If so, you can simply download and print one off.

You can also contact your landlord for a copy of your tenancy agreement (if you don’t have it).

Other places to try are your previous bank (if you’ve switched banks within the last 3 months) and your local authority.

After reading this, you should have a better idea of what documents you can use for proof of address when opening an account with Starling Bank. The good news is that the list is pretty long, and the even better news is that you may not even be asked to provide proof of address - your ID may be enough on its own.

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