Piggy bank in disguise

Savings & Investments

How to Prove Your Identity

Opening your account

To open an account by post you will need to provide the following:

  • A completed and signed application form; and
  • A deposit for your investment (a personal cheque is preferred).

Verifying your identity

Under the Money Laundering Regulations and Financial Services Authority rules, we are required to verify the name, address and date of birth of investors. To do this, we will ordinarily use an electronic verification system.

For branch applications, you will also need to supply additional proof of your identity, preferably in the form of a full UK or EU photo driving licence or a valid UK or EU passport. For postal applications, you will need to supply a certified copy of one of the above documents or an original utility bill which is less than 3 months old (not a mobile phone bill). For details of other forms of acceptable identification, please contact your local branch (for branch applications) or call our customer helpline on 0113 225 7777 (for branch and postal applications).

Existing Customers

If you already have an open account with us, you do not ordinarily need to provide any proof of your name or address. Please ensure you write your existing account number in the space provided on the application form.

We will return the original documents to you after we have opened your account.

<< Back to the how to open an account page

Leeds Building Society is a member of the Building Societies' Association. The Society is a participant in the Financial Services Compensation Scheme established under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. Payments under the Scheme are limited to a maximum of £50,000 of an investor's total shares and/or deposits in a society. Most investors are covered, including individuals and small firms. A small number of categories of shares and deposits are not covered, for example deferred shares - permanent interest bearing shares. Although most shares and deposits are denominated in sterling, all other currencies are covered. Further details are available on request from the Society.

The Society is covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service. Leeds Building Society offers some investment products that may be operated through branches and by post and certain products which can be operated by post only. Other taxes or costs may exist that are not paid by Leeds Building Society.

The Society is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and our FSA registration number is 164992.

© Leeds Building Society