|
 |
Home >> Accounts
Forms of ID Required
My mother is elderly and just moved in with us. We want to open a new account for her, but I see problems. We spoke to the bank and it wants several forms of ID. We took mom's driver's license away several years ago and mom only has her state ID card now. What can we do?
|
Untitled
|
 You need to find a bank that can accommodate your mother's situation. Banks are required by law (the USA PATRIOT Act) to obtain certain identifying information on each of its customers. It addition, the bank must verify the identity of each customer. The law itself provides flexibility to financial institutions in terms of how to verify identity. Each financial institution must decide which methods work best for it verify the identity of its customers. Once the bank has adopted a Customer Identification Program, it must adhere to it, so you'll want to find a bank whose Customer Identification Program will allow it to accept your mother's state ID as one form of identification, and some other form of ID that your mother has for a secondary ID. Another option is to find a bank that will verify your mom's identity through what is called "nondocumentary means." That type of verification could entail, for example, use of an identity-verification database, or a credit report.
Most financial institutions choose to verify identity through documentary means, which means they want to see documents that confirm identity. The primary form of ID most require is an unexpired, government-issued, picture ID. Your mother's state ID will fit the bill there. If they need at least one secondary form of ID, however, find out what is acceptable. Options at some banks include a medical insurance card, copy of a utility bill, voter ID, or a library card. Before going to the bank, call and speak with someone there, explain your circumstances and see what forms of secondary ID they will accept. This will provide both you and your bank with the information you each need and save you both extra work. If that bank doesn't have requirements your mother can meet, call around to others in your area to find one that does.
Published on BankingQuestions.com 7/28/06
|
| |
|
Accounts
Article
Q&A
Podcast
Video
Blog
Discussions
PDF
Powerpoint
