ID… It’s Essential and Valuable

Passport

We are who we are, but can we prove it?

We hardly ever need identity documents (ID) until we really need them. But when the moment comes, it’s often urgent – and not having them can hold us back.

We might be asked for ID:

  • When starting a new job
  • To open a bank account
  • To claim benefits, like Universal Credit
  • To apply for social housing
  • To register with a GP
  • To prove our identity for voting or DBS checks

The problem is, many of us don’t have a passport or photo driving licence. Or we do have an ID but it’s expired or lost.

The best remedy is to make sure we know where our legal ID is at all times – and that’s in date. If we don’t have it, in an emergency, we might need to prove who we are some other documents.

What can we use as ID?

The main forms of ID most organisations accept are:

  • Passport (UK or other valid passport)
  • Photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
  • eVisa, accessed through a ‘Share Code’, for foreign nationals. (More here)

If we don’t have these, don’t worry – there are other ways to prove who we are, such as:

  • Birth or adoption certificate
  • Marriage or civil partnership certificate
  • Bank statements or building society statements (usually less than three months old)
  • Utility bills or council tax statements (recent ones showing our name and address)
  • Letters from the DWP or HMRC (for example, benefits or tax letters)
  • Employer or professional letters, such as from a housing officer, probation worker or GP
  • Local resident ID cards, For example, in Bath, locals can apply for a Bath Resident Card, but there are often other local schemes
  • Photo ID cards like a CitizenCard – low-cost and government-approved
  • Answering security questions, if we have no documents, especially for Jobcentre appointments
  • Immigration or right-to-work documents, for people from outside the UK

It’s smart to get this ready before starting a Universal Credit application, so we don’t face delays in getting our money. Check the government’s list of acceptable ID for Universal Credit. These could be useful for many other services too.

Each Jobcentre may have slightly different rules, so it’s worth asking what to bring when we call to book an ID appointment. If we’re looking for work, our new employer is required to check our legal status by law. For official information about forms of ID required for this process, check out the Home Office webpage.

If we’re struggling to get hold of ID, we can try asking our local council, library, or citizens advice service for help. Benefit claimants should speak to their Jobcentre or support worker about help, including covering any costs.

Keep our identity safe

Our identity could be worth £1,000 or more to criminals. We should never share personal details, PINs or photos of our ID online. If we think our ID has been stolen or misused, we can contact Action Fraud (www.actionfraud.police.uk) straight away.

It’s best to keep all ID documents together and in a safe place – but not so safe you forget where we’ve put them! A simple folder, wallet, or small box can do the job.

When someone else controls our ID

If a partner, family member, or carer keeps our ID and won’t let us have it, that could be a sign of financial or economic abuse. It might be (or they might think it is) for your own benefit, but if you’re not happy about it, help is available:

Image: Fotomy / Bigstock