How do the British identify themselves?

Question

I was wondering how they can identify themselves, for example for opening a bank account, if they have no I.D. cards. Say, it is somebody who has no driving licence or passport either.

Answer 1

We use our driving license, passport, bills, birth certificate, medical certificate, or NI card. Becaue one form of ID has to contain a photo, if you do not have a passport or a drivers licence then you can not open a bank account.Simple as that!! They want to introduce ID cards in this country as a way of helping against terrorism, immigration, etc. However many British citizens do not want them because they believe the government will use them as another form of keeping tabs on people.

Answer 2

We British do not have ID cards as a majority of us feel they are a threat to our civil liberties. This is more to do with having to carry around your identity card with you allowing the police to request it. With our multi-cultural society our police may start to focus their attentions on a particular race/culture. i.e Nigerians or Muslims.
What we have is a passport (like all other nations) as an identifier yet we do not need to carry them around with us.
If I was to open a bank account I would take my passport and some other identifier. These could include National Insurance Number, Utility bill, Driving Licence

Answer 3

See what you mean! For the time being, the citizens of Britain do not have any official form of ID. The government will probably start issuing ID cards in a couple of years time.

For the moment, if a UK citizen wishes to open a bank account, presentation of a couple of utility bills with your name and address maybe enough. One bank accepted my ID by glancing briefly at my bus-pass.

If a more serious ID check is required, say by a government department, they'll want to see a UK birth certificate and/or a passport.

Answer 4

If you have no passport or dirving licence you are f*cked basically.

Authorities will not accept a birth certificate to open a bank account.

When I started my first job I couldn't open a bank account because I had no driving licence or passport (didin't drive and had never been abroad), I had to go to a building society. Its stupid.

Answer 5

You need a passport, birth certificate or driving licence, plus a bill with your name & address on it. If you haven't got a birth certificate, go to the Town Hall to get a copy, but you should at least have that, if you don't have a passport.

Answer 6

YOU CANNOT OPEN A BANK ACOUNT IN THE UK WITHOUT A PASSPORT OR DRIVERS LICENSE !!!!!

And like the kind woman at Barclays explained to me the other day, if I had just turned up in Britain as an immigrant, I would then have more chance of getting a current account without the mentioned documents.

What does British mean these days?
absolutley nothing !!!

Answer 7

You mean anyone under 18? I am, and opened a bank account with my birth certificate and a parent's utility bill.

To the idiot that made the beer belly comment, I would appreciate it if you learned some grammar before attempting to make and insult...I'm proud of my belly :)

Answer 8

In the UK it is usually somethoing stupid like bills from utilities which anyone can find in a dustbin.I was a policeman and when I produced my warrant card to identify myself in a large chain store making a large purchase on credit I was informed that it was unacceptable and I needed a gas or electricity bill!

Answer 9

Usually it's two items such as bills sent to your address, but not mobile phone bills. Photo ID is sometimes required, but the chequebook and card will be sent to you hence the bill thing.

Answer 10

We just introduce ourselves 'saying good afternoon old chap. I say would you and your wife like to join me for tea and cucumber sandwiches for lunch. What ho! ' Just give your name as Johnny English and your identity will not be questioned. People can tell we are genteel by our superior intellect, refined manner and super accent. Hehe