As I think I’ve said before on another thread this really is a problem with the Goverment’s failure to come up with some set standards over what ID is acceptable for what (there are loads of different documents saying different things) or provide some kind of photo ID card which isn’t a driving licence. By default people seem to want photo ID, yet if you don’t drive/don’t have a passport there is literally no way to provide this.
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That’s a completely illogical, arbitrary and unnecessary requirement.
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So after waiting all this time for a current account I get told I will only be accepted if I can provide a Passport or Photo Driving Licence. I don’t have either. A pity as I do love Monzo but seems Im going to have to stick with Barclays (which Ive had for about 30 odd years) and Nationwide. By the way I opened Nationwide online in 2015 without providing photo id.
Similar to the points mentioned in this post: Changing Surname
I could be wrong
But I’m sure I read previously that you can post in other forms of ID for Monzo to verify you manually…
The reply I have had from the Help Team is that there is no way round this at the moment.
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Ah ok, maybe something they are planning once out of beta then
Passports are not just for travel, they are proof of identity. My friend who is wheelchair bound (as has never been out of the country) got one as not only is ID needed for opening accounts it was needed by recruitment agencies and employers too. She could not get a job without one.
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Out of interest are provisional licences accepted equally as ID?
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I used mine to open Monzo
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Most of the time I have seen them accepted as ID
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Bring back National ID’s I say…I loved my ID card before the ConDem (or was it LibCon) coalition ended them (without refunding my money)
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i never had one but since I had one from living in Dubai it’s handy
Yes, very handy. I use my Swiss one all the time. Just make it voluntary and free or very cheap and everyone will have one before you know it 
Voluntary won’t work, should be mandatory and free.
We pay enough tax as it is.
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I would be very suspicious of a mandatory ID card and hope this will always be optional.
A different option would be to do it like Switzerland where you are required by law to be able to identify yourself at any time. So if a 
asks for your ID and you can’t produce it you will be automatically arrested until your identity can be confirmed.
Both options feel a bit too close to authoritarianism for me to be comfortable although that might just be me 
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In the United Kingdom there is a long tradition, any change to which would be vehemently opposed by a large number of citizens, of not having to identify oneself to a police officer, unless suspected of an offence.
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We almost have the answer just requires a bit of lateral thinking:
Rejig the driving licence as the ID card with driving privileges.
Have one number identify the citizen - again the driving licence system is pretty good: therefore no NI, Tax, NHS, hospital or passport numbers.
Require it every time a taxpayer funded service is accessed - schools, health care etc and allow it to be used by banks etc as the sole ID requirement.
Allow everyone who has a driving licence now to continue but at photocard renewal time proof of citizenship will be required.
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And for the millions of people who don’t have a driving licence?
No matter what piece of plastic you use, people in this country will not accept a mandatory ID card.
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